Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is a great local place for short hikes. I walk my dog there once in a while, and with all of the shade you can hike here even when it’s hot. They have Christmas light decorations as well near Christmas. One thing to keep in mind is to leave the park before sunset or you may find you have to walk to the opposite end of the park because the ranger locked one of the gates.

Fourteen people signed up for this easy "D" hike in Gilbert. Many lived in the area and there were several new people who have hiked this before but not with the Trailblazers. Needless to say, I was delighted with the turnout.

We started the hike at the east end of the library parking lot. The lot was full, as everyone had the same idea. We walked along the north side of the permanent lake behind the library on Guadalupe and Greenfield Roads, down the west side and then down along the east side of Pond #6 down to the west side of Pond #4. Following the yellow trace we eventually arrived back where we started. No one was interested in “second breakfast.” I guess that’s a Hobbit thing. The 2.5 mile hike took about 1 hour 15 minutes.

The Riparian map shows the 7 water reclamation ponds and the permanent lake behind the library on the southeast corner of Guadalupe and Greenfield.