It's easy to miss, but with this being a popular trail, you'll most likely see other hikers around this spot. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. So while it may get you breathing heavy and your heart rate up, it wont take too long to do so. After 1 mile, the trail slows its steady incline as you reach the first intersection. past the gate for 0.5 mi to connect to Alta Trail to your right. Most South Mountain Park hiking trails are shared with Mountain Bikers, so be on the lookout as you continue on your hike. The Mormon Trail begins with an immediate incline and it doesnt let up until you are at the junction with National Trail. Ramada Usage inSouth MountainPark/Preserve: The ramadas inSouth Mountain Park/Preserveare available for public use, andseveral require a reservation. Might have had a few bikes out on the loop - all well mannered & no problem! This hike is located near Phoenix, AZ. The viewpoints are the perfect spots to take small breaks or take in the city. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. {{current_weather.dt | momentjs( atts.date )}}. Throughout the trail, marked poles with the letter M lead the way so that you will not get lost. The trail is hot and miserable even when the temperature is only seventy degrees. Review"Take a Hike. Proceed to Warpaint Loop Trail. Know your limits and stick to established trails to avoid getting lost or injured. Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to proceed to Mormon Trail. WebFrom there, we will make our way through Hidden Valley and scramble over a variety of interesting rock formations. Proceed to Max Delta Trail. Corona De Loma Trail is a little difficult to access from the bottom due to the number of spur trails in the area. Bring and drink enough water throughout the hike 1-2 Liters will be adequate. Getting there: From central Phoenix, go south on Seventh Avenue to Baseline Road. Maybe my love for Mormon Trail is biased? WebNational Trail: A favorite on South Mountain. Towers and west of Buena Vista Lookout. Passage Map refers to the downloadable map available for this passage. The Hidden Valley Trail via Mormom Trail offers interesting tunnels, dry waterfalls, and a We meet at the Mormon Trail parking lot, stretching for 15 minutes before we hit the trail. The trail is steep and rocky, with loose gravel and occasional switchbacks. Then we will finish with a 5 to 10 minute standing meditation (Special note: If parking lot is full, there is plenty of parking on 24th Street & East Samantha Way. Or you can also slide down on one of the rocks as well. Starting at the Mormon Trailhead, the trail immediately starts to ascend up boulder-like terrain. Finally, you will end the loop at Fat Mans Pass, which is a very narrow passageway formed by huge boulders. This is a very popular area for hiking, mountain biking, and running, so you'll North side of mountain so a bit more green. Plan your hikes for early mornings or late afternoons to avoid the hottest part of the day. Leave no trace. Around 1.9 miles you can go down the steep rock, or there is another path to the right. 5 People = $450. Photos (7,435) Directions. Turn left on Baseline, left again onto 24th st., and follow the curve through the neighborhood until you reach the parking lot at 8610 S. 24th St., Phoenix, AZ 85042. DISTANCE: 3.6 mile Lollipop ELEVATION Gain: 925 feet DURATION: 2 hrs and 15 minutes or so FACILITIES: None START TIME: 4:00 PM. And by narrow, I really mean narrow! Typical rocky ascent and gravel throughout so wear hiking boots. 5. The trail is rated "easiest" at 0.9 miles (1.8 miles round-trip). Hike starts promptly at 9:00 am. There are several signs along the way that show hikers the remaining distance between the sign and a new destination. When you come to the Hidden Valley, Mormon Trail Junction, continue to take Mormon Trail. From Five Tables, proceed to Ranger Trail. 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. WebSouth Mountain on Trailforks.com South Mountain is a Destination System right in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona. guidelines before visiting the trail. Your email address will not be published. Check. To reach the National Trail along the ridgeline, continue across the road and climb the steep switchbacks to reach the saddle in the mountain just east of Goat Hill.. Difficulty: Moderate - (Should Be For Some One That Exercises Often) Hike Duration: 180 minutes. This multi-use trail can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating with a 17 ft blue climb. Saturday, lots of people and dogs, beautiful hike on a gorgeous afternoon. Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Sonoran Desert. Alta Trail is fairly steep heading up from either side. As you continue, the ending of this loop will not disappoint. 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. We will then reconnect with the Mormon Trail to make our way back to the parking lot. A moderate trail with some technical hiking sections but mostly gravel. Dogs are also allowed on the trail but must be kept on a leash. The parkboastsmore than50 miles oftrails forhiking, horseback ridingand mountain biking. Hidden Valley Tunnel is formed naturally from boulders and is the entryway to some of the most breathtaking scenery of the trail due to unique boulder piles. In order to get to this wild play area, we first need to take a couple of hiking trails. Although the trail has been well marked until the loop, here is when some parts become unclear. 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). Getting there:From central Phoenix, go south on Seventh Avenue to Baseline Road. From the parking lot at the Mormon Trailhead, the trail immediately leads uphill. These are some of the best views in my opinion! If you go down further on National, you will see the second trail marker (at around 1.6 miles) indicating that its the Fat Mans Pass side of Hidden Valley. Mormon Trail-Hidden Valley Loop Length: 6.2 miles. Some moderate climbing. WebSouth Mountain Park is beautiful and this is a popular trailhead. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Arizona Hiking Yoga Phoenix is so big its hard to give general directions that are accurate. Atop the ridge, the trail connects to the National Trail. Don't worry, though, it is big enough for most adults to fit through. 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. As you continue to follow the signs for Mormon Trail, you will eventually come across a sign that point's out Fat Man's Pass on the left. You can find her on Instagram at @Dani_The_Explorer. Take your time, take a few breaks, and youll be fine. 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. All vehicles must turn into the Activity Complex and park there. Keep your eyes on the rocks because petroglyphs from the Hohokam tribe can be seen! Proceed right to Pima Wash Trail. Theoretically, hikers should be the last people whod succumb to not being able to see the forest for the trees. Parking Cost: Free. First mile is mostly uphill and moderately strenuous. They may hike, bike, stroll on the roads without fear of traffic from public vehicles. You will begin to appreciate why some hikers consider this a moderate or difficult trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 5 min to complete. I'll be hiking other trails here - beautiful views inside and outside the park! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 28 min to complete. Especially for the hike back down. 2001 - 2023. This map was created by a user. We will go at a relatively fast pace of around a 20 min/mile for the group. Watch your footing, but make sure to look up from time to time to drink in the panoramic city and boulder sceneries! Very populated trail. Once past the tunnel, the trail continues a little further and you will see a trail marker directing you to turn left to get back to the area where the Mormon and National Trail junction is located. Flowers were in bloom and looking over Phoenix, Tempe, and Masa was awesome. The most direct path is to take Mormon Trail to National and then to Hidden Valley. Enjoy this 4.7-mile loop trail near Phoenix, Arizona. Rating: Easy-moderate. Epic views. This area is so wide that you are able to walk up to these rocks and climb, inspect and explore what is around them. Proceed leftto Marcos De Niza Trail. The classic Phoenix circuit has many of the positive components on hiker checklists. 5. Mormon Trail Map Compiled & edited by Kathy Weiser / Legends of America, updated March 2020. 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. Do it Right." March 7, 2023 at 5:45pm to March 7, 2023 at 8:30pm. WebFeaturing city views, desert life and distinct rock formations, South Mountains Hidden Valley Trail stands out among the areas best loops. Taking the Mormon Trail and connecting to the National Trail can access one of the most scenic trails, the Hidden Valley Trail Loop. Then we practice one hour of Yoga. Proceed to Pima Loop Trail. Instead of hiking down the rocks below, if you look to the right you will notice a little side path where you can get down by walking around the bigger rocks which feels much safer. Either way, if you're in the Phoenix area and do not want to go too far for a great hike or you're just now getting into hiking, add this trail to your list. Travel south on Mormon Trail to connect to National Trail. Following the trail, it will seem to end at a boulder wall corner. Lots of rocks and hills. This is a busy trailhead, and all the locals know where it is. 4. I would like to think you're ripping the band-aid off straight away. Once youve made it through Fat Mans pass (hopefully with pictures as proof), you can turn around and trace your steps back to the trailhead. That being said, this is a trail that most people can hike on without too much difficulty. After yoga we will walk back down for another 45 minutes to where we started. There are two big boulders that are very close together, creating a narrow pathway for hikers to go through. WebEach is handmade in Arizona and we know youll agree that these are the finest finishers award of any long-distance trail in America. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 34 min to complete. 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) To get to the Mormon Trailhead, take exit 155 for Baseline Rd. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. One of the largest groups to move west was the Mormons. Alta Trail is steep on both ends as it rises to the crest of the Ma Ha Tuak Range in South Mountain Park. Mormon Trail: Also called 24the Street, since it starts or ends at the 24the street lot. Follow the loop back to the intersecting point with National and return home the way you came. Tribe can be used both directions and has a moderate Trail with some technical hiking sections but mostly.. The rocks as well as certain other jurisdictions atop the ridge, the Trail connects to the National.! Due to the National Trail likely see other hikers around this spot the junction with National Trail trees... Gorgeous afternoon after 1 mile, the ending of this loop will not get lost gate for 0.5 to... See the forest for the trees miles ( 1.8 miles round-trip ) ridge the. 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The area all vehicles must turn into the Activity Complex and Park there on... On hiker checklists when you come to the National Trail can be seen Street, it! And looking over Phoenix, Tempe, and youll be fine when you come to the Trail! Spots to take Mormon Trail to connect to Mormon Trail direct path is to take small breaks take... Viewpoints are the perfect spots to take Mormon Trail begins with an incline! Would like to think you 're ripping the band-aid off straight away to time drink. The bottom due to the intersecting point with National and return home the so...

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