One of my favorite things about the state that I live in is the ability to be outdoors for the majority of the year. Sure there are three super hot months during the summer, but the rest of the year you can find me on one of the many mountain tops.
I don’t typically talk about health and fitness on The Foxy Kat, but it’s such an important part of my life that I decided in making it one of my main focuses, still along with fashion and beauty. Also, I have some very exciting things in the works that I’m dying to share, but you’ll have to wait till next week.
If you live in the Phoenix-area, I’m sure you’re familiar with these gorgeous photos of the Phoenix Mountains Park Preserve at the Piestewa Peak Recreation Area. My friend Kimberly of Skinapeel Beauty and I went for a hike this past Saturday morning on the Quartz Ridge Trail 8A, which is better known as the 32nd Street & Lincoln trail based on where it’s located (north-east corner.) 
We got there around 9:30am and Kimberly was able to wait for about 10 minutes to get a parking spot in the small 20-car lot. It’s typically really busy here especially on weekend mornings. I ended up parking kitty-corner at the shopping center, which has signs everywhere saying that they’ll tow your car if you walk off the premise. I don’t advise parking there, but I’m not sure where else to park.
Starting of the hike on the Quartz Ridge Trail 8A, it is pretty even leveled with a couple dips. It’s a great area to do trail running if that’s something you like. I brought my four-legged son, Simon with me since it is one of the trails that I believe is dog-friendly and easy enough for him and I to do together.
About .3 miles in, there’s a trail that branches off to the left. If you are wanting more of an incline right away, I suggest taking this trail. It is the Mohave Connector 202 and takes you to the Mohave trail 200 & 200A. If you’re fine where you’re at, you’ll have more time to gradually build up to the incline.
At one of the peaks of the Quartz Ridge Trail 8A, there’s a stone bench area that is a perfect place to take a water break and take in the views. Last Saturday, we didn’t have as much time so the images below are from a previous time I hiked this trail with my puppy-baby Simon.
If you keep going past this point, you’ll hit the Summit Trail 300. I actually have not explored that far yet. This area is perfect for all levels of hikers. You can take your time and enjoy the views as a beginner, pick up the pace and go for a longer hike at an intermediate level or add trail running and more incline with the Mohave trail for someone who is more advanced.
Typically I like to spend a couple hours on this trail, which is enough time to park, chat with friends, stop for water breaks, get to the top and back to the car. Make sure to bring more water than you think you need and no matter what the weather is, wear sunscreen. I usually like to wear layers if it’s getting into the cooler months. If it’s getting into the warmer months, I go as early as possible so that I don’t get heat exhaustion or worse heat stroke, which happens to me more times than I’d like to admit.
Lastly, I am wearing a Lululemon pastel green short-sleeved top, grey Victoria Secret workout shorts and a matching grey open back Victoria Secret sports bra. I love the Lululemon top because it offers perfect coverage in the fall/winter, but still allows my skin to breath. The Victoria Secret shorts are perfect because they have sides that scrunch up depending on the length that I prefer and a strip of breathable fabric on the back. Also, it’s essential that it has a little pocket for my keys. Lastly, the sports bra (although you can’t tell) has an open back so that you don’t get the annoying sports bra tan on your back. In my photo at the stone wall, I am wearing a black Lululemon tank with a built-in sports bra and a flattering empire waist. Hiking shoes are Merrell CTR Cruise from REI.
My favorite part about this outfit is my reversible headband from the Zen Bird. You can wear it many different ways and I chose to twist it so that you can see the designs on both sides of the headband. Order online here. 
Be you, bravely.
The Foxy Kat
