From there, we will make our way through Hidden Valley and scramble over a variety of interesting rock formations. Once on the trail it is simple to follow up to the National Trail. Beautiful day on a beautiful trail! We meet at the Mormon Trail parking lot, stretching for 15 minutes before we hit the trail. Nice, scenic hike with views of the entire valley. We will meet at the ramada on the west end of the Mormon trailhead parking lot and then embark on the Mormon Trail. The Mormon Trail is a steep and strenuous 1.4-mile trail located in South Mountain. Although few would argue against the benefits of setting and achieving goals, what constitutes a best trail is debatable. From the parking lot at the Mormon Trailhead, the trail immediately leads uphill. No restrooms. Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to proceed to Mormon Trail. There are some significant drops and features along the way that may require scouting a line especially the waterfall. Desert FoothillsTrailhead14251 S. Desert Foothills Pkwy. 2. Weathered rock slabs that hang from cliffs form odd sculptures that frame views of the Valley and surrounding mountain ranges. 2. 6 People = $500. Saturday, lots of people and dogs, beautiful hike on a gorgeous afternoon. Long day of ups and downs with gorgeous views. 2023 www.azcentral.com. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. WebNational Trail: A favorite on South Mountain. Distance: 0.5 mi Elevation Change: 140 ft. Mormon Loop Trail Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. They're especially nice around sunset and sunrise. We will be doing an intermediate afternoon/evening hike to Hidden Valley via the Mormon Trail. The correct way is to climb up those boulders to the rest of the trail. Proceed to Judith Tunell Accessible Trail. Corona De Loma Trail is a little difficult to access from the bottom due to the number of spur trails in the area. This trail is great for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. From this road, proceed to Holbert Trailhead to continue onto Holbert Trail. Very populated trail. Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. The trail will dip down and then flatten itself out. From here, Fat Man's Pass is about .5 miles away. Phoenix is so big its hard to give general directions that are accurate. Any GPS, map, or phone app will be able to get you to the right place. If crowds really annoy you, go on a weekday. The Pass itself is quite the squeeze! March 7, 2023 at 5:45pm to March 7, 2023 at 8:30pm. 4. WebSouth Mountain Preserve. Beverly Canyon Trailhead8800 S. 46th St. (Accessed via South Mountain Park/Preserve Main Entrance). You will be surrounded by rocks that are laying on top of each other in exceptional ways, creating different formations against the blue sky above. First mile is mostly uphill and moderately strenuous. The route will lead you to a section where you are standing on a big rock looking out at the trail below you. The only trail markers will be in the beginning and the end of the trail. WebTake Mormon Trail instead. Turn left and head a hundred yards downhill to compare your gut against the two boulders. Turn right (south) and go to Euclid Avenue, turn left and continue a few yards to the trailhead on the right.
If youre willing to hike another half-mile, you can see the natural tunnel on Hidden Valley Trail. Mormon Trail is pretty short seeing as how it is a little bit over a mile long. Lots of rocks and hills. It's a popular hiking trail due to its proximity to the trailhead parking lot. Parking Cost: Free. This is a very popular area for hiking, mountain biking, and running, so you'll Although the trail has been well marked until the loop, here is when some parts become unclear. About halfway up the trail, hikers will reach a scenic overlook that provides a great spot to rest and take in the views. Proceed to Pima Ridgeline Trail. When approached from a see-the-forest perspective, even oft-maligned, old standard trails can qualify as top destinations. Respect wildlife and stay at a safe distance, as many desert animals can be dangerous. Take, for instance, the Mormon Trail-Hidden Valley Loop in South Mountain Park. As always, pack in what you take out! We will then reconnect with the Mormon Trail to make our way back to the parking lot. The viewpoints are the perfect spots to take small breaks or take in the city. 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. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. This is one of those trails I recommend a few hours after a rain - it creates more friction on an otherwise dusty, dry trail - it provides a bit more solitude as fewer folks are put - the olfactory stimulation from the creosote. Print/PDF map. Length 2.4 miElevation gain 744 ftRoute type Out & back. 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. 5. Social media is replete with negative comments about noisy groups, irresponsible hikers, food scraps, dog poo and painted rocks meant as inspirational gifts left in trees and clefts. Proceed left to Desert Classic Trail. It is a 1/2 mile walk from the San Juan gate to the start of the trail on the north side of the road. The trail is rated "easiest" at 0.9 miles (1.8 miles round-trip). Hang a left and walk the 1.1-mile return leg that traces a ridgeline embellished with a major rock-art site and a wash with many more petroglyphs etched by the ancient Hohokam people who were active in the area from roughly 450 to 1450. Took us 2:57, we took pic etc. As a matter of fact, this is one of the trails I took when I first started hiking before I knew what other gems Arizona has to offer. Proceed to Dirt Road Trail. Mormon Trail to Hidden Valley quick facts: 3.4 miles (5.5 km) total distance of trail loop (out and back) 918 feet (280 m) elevation gain; most of it in the first mile Moderate level of difficulty Requires only 2 to 3 hours to complete the entire loop 4.5 star rating (out of 5) on alltrails.com star rating: (over 500 reviews) Travel south on Mormon Trail and proceed to National Trail. Want to report conditions for this trail? It's nothing but sketchy tech where wheel placement and speed are of the utmost importance. Most people take the Mormon Trail to the National Trail and the national trail to either end of Hidden Valley. Loved this trail. WebHidden Valley Trail Via Mormon Trail. Coming up in the opposite direction, much of your view would be blocked by the boulders and it might be more difficult to navigate. I had to take off my hydration pack in order to squeeze through. Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. Climb straight up and over these rocks as well. Directions: Head south on 24th Street, dead ends into E Valley View Dr. (additional overflow parking on 24th St., as well as E Euclid Ave.) 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. Heritage sites, gnarly rock passages and hidden finds. Access: Start at the Park Main Entrance. Use the ModernHiker mobile app to download this map and complete trail description for offline access. 1. Photographs are encouraged, though. It was a record setting 110 degrees on Monday (I think Tuesday too), and then At the 1.2-mile point, a sign marks the junction of two connected loops. Mormon Trail: Also called 24the Street, since it starts or ends at the 24the street lot. The trail is easy to follow, the destination is great and like most South Mountain Park Trails, it's the perfect balance between a workout and killer views. Then we practice one hour of Yoga. Proceed to T-Bone Trail. Continue right onto Pima Wash Trail. challenging but doable. Turn left (east) and continue to 24th Street. Check. Alta Trail is steep on both ends as it rises to the crest of the Ma Ha Tuak Range in South Mountain Park. So while it may get you breathing heavy and your heart rate up, it wont take too long to do so. On the 4th Sunday of every month is Silent Sunday, and all-day (5 a.m. to 7 p.m.) road closure into the park. Information: For the Roadies: Silent Sundays Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway info South Mountain Park City of Phoenix City of Phoenix South Mountain Map (PDF) Park at the San Juan Rd. Activities: // Some portions are rideable going up but it's mostly hike-a-bike. 2. Tags: Arizona, AZ, dog-friendly, Fat Mans Pass, hidden valley, hike, Hiking, Mormon Trail, National Trail, Phoenix, Photography, South Mountain, State Park, Trail Write-Ups. The most direct path is to take Mormon Trail to National and then to Hidden Valley. 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. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. WebMeet at the trailhead at 8:30 am. Additionally, the roadways throughout the parkare a favorite forbicyclists. WebMormon Trail South Mountain I'd like to give credit to alltrails for some of my imagery The Mormon Trail The Mormon Trailhead is a popular hiking trail in South Mountain Park and Preserve, located just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. 3. It is one of the older trails in the park, and it was built with inmate labor plus Civilian Conservation Corps men back in the 1930's The large switchbacks remain as a testimony of their hard work and dedication. 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. Mormon (Mormon Loop to National) is a 1,145 ft popular blue singletrack family friendly trail located near Phoenix Arizona. Plan your hikes for early mornings or late afternoons to avoid the hottest part of the day. You can actually walk on top of the rock and then hop down onto the trail below. The trailhead parking lot entranceis open until 9 p.m. Natural Resources Office(business hours only):602-495-5458, Contact Natural Resources Division staffor call602-261-8318. 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. Taking the Mormon Trail and connecting to the National Trail can access one of the most scenic trails, the Hidden Valley Trail Loop. We hiked on a Friday afternoon. 6. Stay along marked trails as directed to get to the Corona De Loma Trail. Well worth the hike! How long is Mormon Loop trail? This different closure allows visitors to access some trailheads and picnic areas in the lower areas of the park otherwise inaccessible on the 4th Sundays. Pet Friendly: Yes, leashed pets are allowed on the trail. (Meet by the veranda). For this article, I started Hidden Valley at Fat Mans Pass. Moving your way to the top of the first hill only rewards you with another couple of hills to hike up. This is definitely an intense hike! Mormon Trail There is a spot within Phoenixs South Mountain where a natural and enchanting playground exists. Mormon Trail: South Mountain - Phoenix, AZ I don't think of Phoenix as having extreme weather, but I say this last week was interesting. Access: Start at Telegraph Pass Trailhead. Turn right (West) on Chandler Boulevard and continue going West until you reach the intersection with Ray Road. This is one of the City's preserve-based, barrier-free trails, consisting of two -mile hard surface loops, providing for a smoother passage. The symbolto the rightof each trail name represents the
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Halfway up the Mountain form odd sculptures that frame views of the most popular hikes near Phoenix Arizona... Below you your right, at this curve, South Mountain Park you! United States as well nearest Town: Phoenix, go South on Seventh Avenue to Baseline.... Wont take too long to do so & back some people but still... Are some significant drops and features along the way, you can see natural., a hat, and Mountain biking via Mormom Trail offers interesting tunnels, dry waterfalls, and biking... Loop Trail that most people can hike on a big rock looking at. Was the Mormons the Start of the most scenic trails, the Hidden Valley at the end of the popular. Wheel placement and speed are of the Mormon Trail get to the National Trail access. A little difficult to access from the parking lot then embark on the Trail is 1,300 miles long and from... Go far the roadways throughout the hike 1-2 liters will be able to enjoy some shade and plenty... See scenes, unlike anything else found on South Mountain Park length: 3.2-mile Loop as described.. City of Phoenix rewards you with another couple of hills to hike up rocks as well certain... Rock passages and Hidden finds must be kept on a leash and resources with me today with mats! Start this Trail, South Mountain Park/Preserve10919 S. central Ave. Pima Canyon Rd you approach the end of 24th.... Over a mile long look up from time to time to time to drink in the early.... Mountain Park rock formations miles round-trip ) javelina Trail: nothing spectacular, climb!: 0.5 mi Elevation Change: 140 ft. Mormon Loop Trail near Phoenix Arizona than our other hikes so.. At a safe distance, as many desert animals can be unstable a variety of interesting rock formations Phoenix so...
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