Hike to Madera peak near Phoenix, Arizona.
Sometimes, you're just in the mood for a steep climb. The climb to Madera peak (elevation 6647 ft) certainly fits such a mood and rewards you with good views of the towns of Miami and Globe as well as the surrounding area.
From the primitive road (FR580) start climbing. You'll reach a fork after the first 0.25 miles of hiking, stay left. From here on up, the route finding is easy. Just continue to follow the road up.
The vegetation starts out as chaparral, but as you climb higher, you move through manzanita and finally at the top is a pine forest. There is not much shade on this trail, so it is well suited for the cooler times of the year.
Be sure to enjoy the increasingly impressive views of the surrounding area as you climb. After a few false summits, you'll reach the top. There is a transmission tower on the way up that you may think is the top, but it isn't! Keep on the road past the tower and continue another 0.1 miles, turning left at the fork, to get to the actual top. The pine trees here serve to block the views a bit, but it is still a satisfying conclusion to your hard work.
After enjoying the views, catch your breath and head back down the same way.
