Do not expect to receive a spot in the lot (not along the road) if you want to hike in any combination of: weekends, during tourism season, before noon. The symbolto the rightof each trail name represents the Travel south on Mormon Trail to turn left onto Mormon Loop Trail. This trail is great for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. WebSouth Mountain Preserve. From Fat Man's Pass, you can begin the hike back to the trailhead, or continue through Hidden Valley (if you have done your research and know where to go). Ramada reservations must be made in person at aPhoenix Parks and Recreation Department facility. At this point, you can turn around and head back to the trailhead or continue on the longer 4.5-mile section of the trail to explore more of South Mountain Park and Preserve. To protect these irreplaceable heritage sites as well as sensitive vegetation and wildlife habitats, its important to stay on trails and not touch or alter anything. WebThe portion of the Overland Trail in Wyoming, especially between Fort Bridger and Cheyenne Pass, had been scouted eastwards in 1850 by Captain Howard Stansbury of the U.S. Topographical Engineers, who was looking for an overland trail south of the Mormon-Oregon Trail in order to avoid the heavy snows of the more northern route. Any GPS, map, or phone app will be able to get you to the right place. This is a busy trailhead, and all the locals know where it is. At the end of the Mormon Trail, connect with National Trail West for about 0.1 miles until it reaches the Hidden Valley Loop, which is denoted with a clear sign. With its moderate difficulty level and easy accessibility, the Mormon Trailhead is a great option for hikers looking to experience the beauty of South Mountain. The rocks are extremely smooth, due to being hidden and protected from weather erosion so sliding down is as easy as sliding down any other slide in a playground. Access: Start from the Area 620 Trailhead. Flowers were in bloom and looking over Phoenix, Tempe, and Masa was awesome. Web4 People = $400. Access: Start at the Park Main Entrance. Mormon Trail: Also called 24the Street, since it starts or ends at the 24the street lot. These false summits are a little annoying. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. Remember to take short breaths, to drop your pack or hold it over your head, and to take your time squeezing through the two boulders. There are no markers within this area so its up to you to decide how you want to navigate down these sections of rocks. Arizona Hiking Yoga Nice views reward hikers at the top. From Pima Wash Trail, turn right onto Pima West Loop. If crowds really annoy you, go on a weekday. To start with the shorter Hidden Valley Loop, continue straight ahead on Mormon Trail and head right on the National Trail. During this incline, you will undoubtedly notice the large boulders in the middle of the trail- just watch your step as these appear in several spots. Take the first left on to Phoenix South Mountain Park. You can find her on Instagram at @_annien. Drinking fountains, benches, covered ramadas are available for periodic rest stops. Beverly Canyon Trailhead8800 S. 46th St. (Accessed via South Mountain Park/Preserve Main Entrance). This scenic trail offers hikers stunning views of the desert landscape and a glimpse into the areas history with its historic stone houses and other landmarks. The viewpoints are the perfect spots to take small breaks or take in the city. and 19th Ave. Trailhead15451 S. 19th Ave. 19th Ave. (Ma-Ha-Tauk) Trailhead10484 S. 19th Ave. * - Extended summer hours are in effectannually from June 1through September 30 at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Your email address will not be published. WebTake Mormon Trail instead. This hike, as described, is a straight shot to Fat Mans Pass, and a straight shot back. Try this 6.2-mile loop trail near Phoenix, Arizona. Hidden Valley is a loop trail that branches off of National. Great trail, well marked. Turn left (east) and continue to 24th Street. Took us 2:57, we took pic etc. Mile 1.2: The trail becomes steeper again as you approach the end of the 1.4-mile section of the Mormon Trail. Stay hydrated and bring more water than you think youll need, as the dry climate can quickly dehydrate you. Learn how to create your own. Challenging, must have some mountain biking experience, take plenty of water. Alta Trail is steep on both ends as it rises to the crest of the Ma Ha Tuak Range in South Mountain Park. Atop the ridge, the trail connects to the National Trail. WebMormon Trail Arizona South Mountain - YouTube mormon trailat south mountainMusic: Hot Heat - Topher Mohr and Alex Elena: https://youtu.be/-k4azpOIAfw mormon trailat But so much fun!!! Completing the Mormon Loop and then heading back down to the parking lot is just over five miles. Mormon Trail is pretty short seeing as how it is a little bit over a mile long. To get to the trailhead: From the Phoenix area, take I-10 south to Chandler Blvd. Open full screen to view more. as a novice hiker did not make it to top but would do again. WebMormon Trailhead 8610 S. 24th St. Hidden Valley Trail Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. Judging from trail wear, lots of people start this trail, but most don't go far. This area is so wide that you are able to walk up to these rocks and climb, inspect and explore what is around them. WebThe Arizona Trail is divided into 43 passages. 2. The Mormon Trail is a steep and strenuous 1.4-mile trail located in South Mountain. Once we lose our sense of wonder and the ability to see beyond loud, immediate things on a hiking trail, whats left are rote progressions chronicled on Instagram. * Please remember to hike at your own risk. Climb straight up and over these rocks as well. Trial head is much closer to mountain than other locations. These are some of the best views in my opinion! WebMormon Trailhead: 8610 S. 24th St. Beverly Canyon Trailhead: 8800 S. 46th St. Pima Canyon Trailhead: 9904 S. 48th St. Telegraph Pass Trailhead: 14251 S. Desert Foothills Parkway Trailhead Hours: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Gated entrances will close at 7, but trails remain open until 11 p.m. Want to report conditions for this trail? Additionally, San Juan Road is closed except during the first full weekend of each month, when it is open all day Saturday and from 10 a.m. to close on Sunday. WebTrailheads - South Mountain Park/Preserve. Very populated trail. This is one of those hikes you want to do in the early morning. But, in case you are not able to fit, no worries! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 34 min to complete. Web322 W Mountain Sage Dr unit N/A, Phoenix, AZ 85045 Ahwatukee Foothills 4 Beds 3 Bath 2283 Sqft Contact Property Learn more, take a tour, and get one step closer to your new home. Trailmatez is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon, the amazing logo, amazonsupply, and the amazonsupply logo are trademarks of amazon.com, inc or its affiliates, Steep climb, rocky terrain, scenic overlooks, historic trail. Moving your way to the top of the first hill only rewards you with another couple of hills to hike up. It was a record setting 110 degrees on Monday (I think Tuesday too), and then Tethered to fitness apps and earbuds, some hikers detach from their surroundings in pursuit of faster times and harder, longer, more remote trails while buying into the assumption that the best trails exist in a faraway ether dripping in unattainability and mystique. Then after a short distance you will meet up with a second marker indicating to turn right onto National to get you back to the Mormon Trail and head back to the parking lot. Lots of bikers. Turn right (West) on Chandler Boulevard and continue going West until you reach the intersection with Ray Road. From Pima West Loop, turn right to proceed to Pima East Loop. Wish we would have gotten here earlier so we could do the whole trail before sunset. Proceed to Max Delta Trail. Read more of Mare Czinar's hikes at arizonahiking.blogspot.com. WebHidden Valley Trail Via Mormon Trail. 5. November 1 to April 30 - 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Some of the marble boulders were very slick, so we negotiated them on our butts. Coming up in the opposite direction, much of your view would be blocked by the boulders and it might be more difficult to navigate. Due tothe many blind corners, narrow sectionsandtreacherous drop-offs,extreme caution should bemaintained and adherence to thespeed limit followed. TRAIL DESCRIPTION South Mountain is one of the most notable mountains in the East Valley due to its different trailheads in Ahwatukee, Chandler, and Phoenix. Proceed to Dirt Road Trail. At times, there will flat rocks to hike down and/or up but the trail will be clear to see once over the rock section. 4. If you thought Valley of Fire was exciting in the day, wait til you experience it at night! Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Continue making a loop back to the Mormon Trail to return. Dobbins Lookout, at 2,330 feet, is the highest point in the park that isavailable to the public. Geronimo: For shuttling huckesters. The uphill portion on the Mormon Trail crawls 700 feet up Neighborhood Canyon, dodging massive boulders, slickrock corridors and desert flora adapted to South Mountains craggy environs. Access: Start at Warpaint Dr. Access Trailhead. So while it may get you breathing heavy and your heart rate up, it wont take too long to do so. The park boasts more than 50 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Review"Take a Hike. Exact location will be sent when your reservation is confirmed. Elevation: 1,338-1,566 feet. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. We did not do the loop. There is a lot of wildlife, and its not uncommon to see hummingbirds fluttering around. Finally, you will end the loop at Fat Mans Pass, which is a very narrow passageway formed by huge boulders. I had to take off my hydration pack in order to squeeze through. WebLocated south of Phoenix, AZ in a well-signed neighborhood, drive to 8610 S 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85042. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. As always, pack in what you take out! Although few would argue against the benefits of setting and achieving goals, what constitutes a best trail is debatable. These are busy trails on weekdays and insanely busy trails on the weekends, be sure not to leave any litter behind, and to stay on the designated path. Beautiful trail. Know your limits and stick to established trails to avoid getting lost or injured. It's nothing but sketchy tech where wheel placement and speed are of the utmost importance. For the most part, this path is in a wash, which makes it clear and easy to navigate. See dazzling rock formations. Mormon Trail: South Mountain - Phoenix, AZ I don't think of Phoenix as having extreme weather, but I say this last week was interesting. Its a popular hike that offers amazing views of the valley below, making it a great choice for hikers looking for a challenging and rewarding experience. We only did the Mormon trail which was @ 3 miles total. Beverly Canyon Trail will have some short rocky and steep areas that cross the Pima Canyon area on the way to meeting the Desert Classic Trail on the south side of South Mountain. Two large boulders force you to squeeze through them to the other side of the trail; a fat man cannot squeeze through this gap (to be honest, its a tight squeeze), but I would argue that a fat man cant get to the pass to begin with. Proceed to Pima Loop Trail. More interesting scenery than our other hikes so far. This is a great place to take a break and enjoy the scenery. 5 People = $450. Take another left onto Piedras Dr. The trail is steep and rocky, with loose gravel and occasional switchbacks. Don't worry, though, it is big enough for most adults to fit through. Access: Start at the South Mountain Environmental Education Center. Good elevation gain, but nothing too steep. This blog was thoughtfully written by Danielle Rodriguez. Starting at the Mormon Trailhead, the trail immediately starts to ascend up boulder-like terrain. Though parking was crowded, it wasnt as bad as we expected. The parking lot for the trail-head will be on your right, at this curve. Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. There will come another point soon after where the trail seems to end at a long wall of humongous rocks. This blog was thoughtfully written by Annie Nguyen. Saturday, lots of people and dogs, beautiful hike on a gorgeous afternoon. Beyond the tunnel, go right at the National Trail junction and follow the route 1.4 miles to the Mormon Loop Trail. Access: Start at Geronimo Trailhead. Throughout this entire hike the rocks have been very smooth, but they are almost fake looking in the tunnel. Some folks use the larger rock on the right side of the pass as a rock slide, which you can do too! The only trail markers will be in the beginning and the end of the trail. 1. Small parking lot so be prepared park on the street and walk a short while to tge trailhead. Brutal but doable climb. WebSouth Mountain Park is beautiful and this is a popular trailhead. WebThe Mormon Trail is 1,300 miles long and extends from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah. Watch and listen for bikers (bells, clickers, etc) cause they will pop out of nowhere. For this article, I started Hidden Valley at Fat Mans Pass. The National Trail on South Mountain is easily one of the most iconic mountain bike trails in Phoneix, Arizona, if not the whole state. You can alternatively make this a loop as a part of the Mormon Trail Loop, or you can add a loop at the Hidden Valley trail, following Fat Mans Pass through and continuing on the trail to add another half mile to the trail. Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Sonoran Desert. This is a busy trailhead, and all the locals know where it is. Mormon Trail is a fairly busy trail much of the time. As you continue, the ending of this loop will not disappoint. Proceed to Pyramid Trail. Moderate 4.7 (6597) South Mountain Preserve. Dress in layers, as temperatures can vary significantly between day and night. Yes, you can ride a mountain bike on the road. Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to proceed to Mormon Trail. The Passage Profile refers to the downloadable trail elevation profile available for this passage. Follow the wash trail to a small cliff and the wash and trail turn left to exit back onto the National Trail after a 'natural tunnel.' 4. The trail begins at the Mormon Trailhead and immediately begins to ascend up the mountain. 3. Getting there: From central Phoenix, go south on Seventh Avenue to Baseline Road. Proceed to T-Bone Trail. This short half-mile loop will take you through a narrow rock formation (known as Fat Mans Pass), a wash area full of wildlife and a naturally formed rock tunnel to walk through. WebThe Pass lies in southwestern Fremont County, approximately 35 miles (56 km) SSW of Lander . Loved this trail. difficulty rating. Along the way, you will see several views of the city of Phoenix. Mormon Trail Mormon Trail Map Compiled & edited by Kathy Weiser / Legends of America, updated March 2020. The buckles are only available to finishers who complete the survey and are made available at no cost thanks to our friends at Pioneer Title Agency. Gnarly descent. Yes, leashed pets are allowed on the trail. Towers and west of Buena Vista Lookout. After 1 mile, the trail slows its steady incline as you reach the first intersection. It has a way of making you feel so small! Web#1 - Hidden Valley Trail Via Mormon Trail South Mountain Preserve Length: 3.6 mi There are many trails in this area that are worthy of more hiking. From this road, proceed to Holbert Trailhead to continue onto Holbert Trail. Well worth your time! Any GPS, map, or phone app will be able to get you to the right place. I loved this trail. The Ma-Ha-Tauk Trail starts off at a gradual incline, then ramps up at a hard ascent to the Cross Cut Trail junction. The trail is hot and miserable even when the temperature is only seventy degrees. Mormon Trail-Hidden Valley Loop Length: 6.2 miles. Access: Start from Warpaint Dr. Access Trailhead. During the Summer, starting before 7AM is recommended to avoid the sweltering heat. There are some petroglyphs along the Mormon Trail. Is 1,300 miles long and extends from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake city, Utah wear! Will come another point soon after where the Trail Mormon Loop Trail by Kathy Weiser / Legends of,... Ahead on Mormon Trail to turn left ( east ) and continue West! Webthe Mormon Trail: Also called 24the Street lot on Chandler Boulevard continue. Area, take plenty of water can find her on Instagram at @ _annien browser for the part! 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