Always carry a first aid kit and emergency supplies, including a whistle and a map or GPS device. But its a mistake to let these spoilers suck all the air out of the room. Some folks use the larger rock on the right side of the pass as a rock slide, which you can do too! Get to know this 3.6-mile loop trail near Phoenix, Arizona. The National Trail on South Mountain is easily one of the most iconic mountain bike trails in Phoneix, Arizona, if not the whole state. Features: Steep climb, rocky terrain, scenic overlooks, historic trail. Getting there:From central Phoenix, go south on Seventh Avenue to Baseline Road. Marcos de Niza, Midlife Crisis, and Young Man Trails Loop, Corona de Loma Trail to Lower Corona Trail, Desert Classic, National Trail, and Hidden Valley Loop, Geronimo, National, Midlife Crisis, and Mormon Trail Loop, Holbert, National and Corona de Loma Trail, Desert Classic, Midlife Crisis, Old Man Trail, and Double Secret Loop. See dazzling rock formations. Any GPS, map, or phone app will be able to get you to the right place. Access: Start at Beverly Canyon Trailhead. The reason is because from Fat Mans Pass you will be hiking down, and will be able to see the paths laid out better. Learn how to create your own. Saw families with kids and grandparents making it. If crowds really annoy you, go on a weekday. From Kiwanis Trailhead, proceed to Kiwanis Trail. Although few would argue against the benefits of setting and achieving goals, what constitutes a best trail is debatable. This trail wastes very little time, climbing very quickly for a good 45 minutes, then dropping down into a valley on top of the mountain where we walk 15 more minutes to a tunnel of rocks where we walk through to the real Hidden Valley. 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. This trail also provides alternative routes through connections with the Derby Loop, Bajada Trail, and Las Lomitas Loop, while traveling upward to the roadway. Travel south on Mormon Trail to connect to National Trail. Just watch out. Mormon Trail to Fat Man's Pass is easily one of my favorite hikes. This trail is a beast. The list below contains all of the passages in order from south to north. A tight squeeze through a slim but short crack between boulders serves as a gateway to Hidden Valley. There is a lot of wildlife, and its not uncommon to see hummingbirds fluttering around. Absolutely beautiful. Your email address will not be published. WebTake Mormon Trail instead. Sign in. Taking the Mormon Trail and connecting to the National Trail can access one of the most scenic trails, the Hidden Valley Trail Loop. 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. Experience this 2.4-mile out-and-back trail near Phoenix, Arizona. An amazing hike see some of the tallest Saguaro cactus in Arizona. The buckles are only available to finishers who complete the survey and are made available at no cost thanks to our friends at WebJoin us for one of my favorite hikes at South Mountain. Do it Right." Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 5 min to complete. It would be embarrassing to call for help because you were stuck at Fat Mans Pass. Stopping at a gas station if you lose your way will allow you to get better directions. Trail was amazing! If you thought Valley of Fire was exciting in the day, wait til you experience it at night! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 34 min to complete. Proceed to Telegraph Pass Trail. WebThe Arizona Trail is divided into 43 passages. South Mountain is one of the most notable mountains in the East Valley due to its different trailheads in Ahwatukee, Chandler, and Phoenix. This is one of those trails that leads uphill from the start, and while Ive listed this trail as an easy trail, it was with much deliberation. The Passage Profile refers to the downloadable trail elevation profile available for this passage. This is an excellent trail. 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. Mormon Trail Guide 1. Great trail, well marked. Taking the Mormon Trail and connecting to the National Trail can access one of the most scenic trails, the Hidden Valley Trail Loop. The trail went over South Pass, then worked its way through the mountains. The only trail markers will be in the beginning and the end of the trail. Park at the San Juan Rd. Access: Start at Telegraph Pass Trailhead. WebMormon Details. 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. Some portions are rideable going up but it's mostly hike-a-bike. WebThe Mormon Trail begins with an immediate incline and it doesnt let up until you are at the junction with National Trail. Turn left (east) and continue to 24th Street. Once on the trail it is simple to follow up to the National Trail. TBD S Mormon Flat Rd, Golden Valley, AZ 86413 | MLS# 999759 | Redfin HOT HOME Street View See all 16 photos TBD S Mormon Flat Rd, Golden Valley, AZ 86413 $20,000 Est. WebFeaturing city views, desert life and distinct rock formations, South Mountains Hidden Valley Trail stands out among the areas best loops. 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. Following the trail, it will seem to end at a boulder wall corner. 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.) Alta Trail is steep on both ends as it rises to the crest of the Ma Ha Tuak Range in South Mountain Park. Nice, scenic hike with views of the entire valley. Lots of rocks and hills. Proceed to Warpaint Loop Trail. Excellent conditions, almost 9km from the car. 6 People = $500. 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. Towers and west of Buena Vista Lookout. For this article, I started Hidden Valley at Fat Mans Pass. Additionally, the roadways throughout the parkare a favorite forbicyclists. There are several signs along the way that show hikers the remaining distance between the sign and a new destination. We meet at the Mormon Trail parking lot, stretching for 15 minutes before we hit the trail. Totaling just under four miles, Hidden Valley can be accessed via the Mormon and National trails; starting at the trailhead, youll follow Mormon until you reach National Trail West. Its worth noting that the trail is rated as difficult and requires a good level of fitness and experience. Leave no trace. 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. Adding to its appeal, this route gets the climbing out of the way at the beginning while legs are still fresh. 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. Fun going through Fat Mans and the slide-through gap. As always, pack in what you take out! Good elevation gain, but nothing too steep. No restrooms. Mormon Trail: Also called 24the Street, since it starts or ends at the 24the street lot. The trail is rated "easiest" at 0.9 miles (1.8 miles round-trip). Mile 0.0: The trailhead for the Mormon Trail is located at the end of 24th Street in Phoenix. Print/PDF map. Javelina Trail: Nothing spectacular, steady climb and, a nice connector to Mormon from the 46th Street lot. Though parking was crowded, it wasnt as bad as we expected. If coming from Phoenix, take the 1-10 East and exit off of Baseline/Guadalupe (exit 155) and turn right onto Baseline. Access: Start at the 19th Ave. Trailhead to connect to Ma a Tauk Trail. This makes a good loop starting from the Pima Canyon Trailhead. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Or you can also slide down on one of the rocks as well. Do it Right." This trail is suitable for most levels of hikers and can be used as an introduction for those wanting to get acquainted with desert mountain hiking. Pyramid Trail starts out fairly easy from the Area 620 Trailhead, but it quickly gets steep at the base of the ridge it climbs. Heritage sites, gnarly rock passages and hidden finds. 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. Take the first left on to Phoenix South Mountain Park. WebWHEN: Tuesday, March 7 5:45-7:15pm Guided Hike 7:30-8:30pm Self-Guided Hike DETAILS: The trail we will be doing is a 1.25 mile loop over rough terrain. I would suggest starting Hidden Valley at the Fat Mans Pass end. Although the trail has been well marked until the loop, here is when some parts become unclear. Along the way, you will see several views of the city of Phoenix. Proceed to hike on San Juan Rd. Especially for the hike back down. The Track and Waypoints refer to downloadable GPS data. Parking Cost: Free. More interesting scenery than our other hikes so far. Difficulty: Moderate - (Should Be For Some One That Exercises Often) Hike Duration: 180 minutes. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and mountain biking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The enchanting half-mile walk in thissecluded corridor ends with a passage through a natural tunnel well-known for its rock overhangs, sandy substrate, petroglyph panel and lush drainage-fed vegetation. 3. Travel south on Mormon Trail and proceed to National Trail. WebFeaturing city views, desert life and distinct rock formations, South Mountains Hidden Valley Trail stands out among the areas best loops. 2. We will then reconnect with the Mormon Trail to make our way back to the parking lot. Small parking lot so be prepared park on the street and walk a short while to tge trailhead. This time were offering a Ranger-lead Guided Hike AND a Self-Guided Hike! 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. From Pima Wash Trail, Proceed to Pima West Loop. To start with the shorter Hidden Valley Loop, continue straight ahead on Mormon Trail and head right on the National Trail. 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. Epic views. 6. Seeing as how Hidden Valley is located off of National Trail (which runs the entire length of South Mountain), there are multiple ways of getting there. North side of mountain so a bit more green. WebSouth Mountain Park is beautiful and this is a popular trailhead. Turn left onto National and then turn right to proceed to Hidden Valley Trail. Mormon Trail DISTANCE: 3.6 mile Lollipop ELEVATION Gain: 925 feet DURATION: 2 hrs and 15 minutes or so FACILITIES: None START TIME: 4:00 PM. Pet Friendly: Yes, leashed pets are allowed on the trail. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Join us for one of my favorite hikes at South Mountain. 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. Long day of ups and downs with gorgeous views. Big rocks and cliff's. Sliding down Fat Mans Pass or you can walk through the narrow pathway. 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. Gnarly descent. Length 3.6 miElevation gain 925 ftRoute type Loop. Rating: Easy-moderate. There are two big boulders that are very close together, creating a narrow pathway for hikers to go through. Throughout this entire hike the rocks have been very smooth, but they are almost fake looking in the tunnel. Keep your eyes on the rocks because petroglyphs from the Hohokam tribe can be seen! The ubiquitous expression describes a common affliction of missing the big picturein a haze of minutia. Some moderate climbing. From this road, proceed to Holbert Trailhead to continue onto Holbert Trail. But so much fun!!! WebSouth Mountain on Trailforks.com South Mountain is a Destination System right in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona. On average it takes 1 minutes to complete 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. 5. We will go at a relatively fast pace of around a 20 min/mile for the group. They may hike, bike, stroll on the roads without fear of traffic from public vehicles. About halfway up the trail, hikers will reach a scenic overlook that provides a great spot to rest and take in the views. Yes, you can ride a mountain bike on the road. 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.