Enjoy the trail! Gate. This is the starting point of the 1.4-mile section of the trail. WebJoin us for one of my favorite hikes at South Mountain. Mormon (Mormon Loop to National) is a 1,145 ft popular blue singletrack family friendly trail located near Phoenix Arizona. Long day of ups and downs with gorgeous views. From Beverly Canyon Trail, turn right to proceed to Ridgeline Trail. Stay on the main trail, and you will eventually (2 miles from the trailhead) reach the turn for Fat Mans Pass. Access: Start at Geronimo Trailhead. This is an excellent trail. 2. Arizona Hiking Yoga Alta Trail is fairly steep heading up from either side. No restrooms. Dobbins Lookout, at 2,330 feet, is the highest point in the park that isavailable to the public. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Print/PDF map. Mile 1.2: The trail becomes steeper again as you approach the end of the 1.4-mile section of the Mormon Trail. Located south of Phoenix, AZ in a well-signed neighborhood, drive to 8610 S 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85042. Mormon Trail: Also called 24the Street, since it starts or ends at the 24the street lot. From Pima Wash Trail, Proceed to Pima West Loop. Continue on Stephen Mather Dr. through the first four-way intersection. About halfway up the trail, hikers will reach a scenic overlook that provides a great spot to rest and take in the views. The Mormon Trail usually followed the north side of the North Platte River west through Nebraska and Wyoming to follow the Sweetwater River farther west. Atop the ridge, the trail connects to the National Trail. Travel south on Mormon Trail to connect to National Trail. Access: Enter from the Park Main Entrance and proceed on Stephen Mather Dr. to connect to San Juan Rd. 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. //]]> It would be embarrassing to call for help because you were stuck at Fat Mans Pass. Proceed to Javelina Canyon Trail. You can find her on Instagram at @_annien. To learn more please refer to our Hiking Disclaimer. You'll pass through a small valley area where the scenery completely changes as the trail looks more like sand. Always carry a first aid kit and emergency supplies, including a whistle and a map or GPS device. As you continue on, there will some areas where the trail will abruptly have these large rocks that have seemingly stopped the trail dead in its tracks. 1. Proceed to Warpaint Loop Trail. Access: Start at the Park Main Entrance. Elevation: 1,338-1,566 feet. Some folks use the larger rock on the right side of the pass as a rock slide, which you can do too! This is a very popular area for hiking, mountain biking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. guidelines before visiting the trail. 3. Proceed to Max Delta Trail. Distance: 0.5 mi Elevation Change: 140 ft. Mormon Loop Trail Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. We did not do the loop. Saturday, lots of people and dogs, beautiful hike on a gorgeous afternoon. Fun going through Fat Mans and the slide-through gap. If youre willing to hike another half-mile, you can see the natural tunnel on Hidden Valley Trail. difficulty rating. Wish we would have gotten here earlier so we could do the whole trail before sunset. During the Summer, starting before 7AM is recommended to avoid the sweltering heat. So while it may get you breathing heavy and your heart rate up, it wont take too long to do so. Throughout the trail, marked poles with the letter M lead the way so that you will not get lost. The Passage Profile refers to the downloadable trail elevation profile available for this passage. Beyond the tunnel, go right at the National Trail junction and follow the route 1.4 miles to the Mormon Loop Trail. The Mormon Trail begins with an immediate incline and it doesnt let up until you are at the junction with National Trail. But hikers are not immune toits soul-sapping vortex. Turn left onto National and then turn right to proceed to Hidden Valley Trail. Throughout this entire hike the rocks have been very smooth, but they are almost fake looking in the tunnel. I would like to think you're ripping the band-aid off straight away. The viewpoints continue as you ascend the multiple switchbacks on this trail. Great trail, well marked. 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. Turn left and head a hundred yards downhill to compare your gut against the two boulders. From the parking lot at the Mormon Trailhead, the trail immediately leads uphill. We will be doing an intermediate afternoon/evening hike to Hidden Valley via the Mormon Trail. 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. Dogs are also allowed on the trail but must be kept on a leash. Required fields are marked *. 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. These are some of the best views in my opinion! DISTANCE: 3.6 mile Lollipop ELEVATION Gain: 925 feet DURATION: 2 hrs and 15 minutes or so FACILITIES: None START TIME: 4:00 PM. 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. 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. Today, its a popular trail for hikers and offers a glimpse into the history of the area. Stay along marked trails as directed to get to the Corona De Loma Trail. Hikers should come prepared with plenty of water, appropriate footwear, and other necessary gear for a safe and enjoyable hike. Proceed to Warpaint North to connect to Desert Classic by taking a left. Mile 0.5: At this point, youll reach the historic stone house, which was once part of a Mormon settlement in the area. Or, they can offer a relaxing space to sit and breathe in all the nature around you. There were a few bikers and other hikers. I am in moderate shape. Mile 0.8: The trail becomes steeper as you approach Fat Mans Pass, a narrow slot in the rocks that requires some scrambling to navigate. 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. 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. This is a busy trailhead, and all the locals know where it is. Flowers were in bloom and looking over Phoenix, Tempe, and Masa was awesome. Moderate 4.7 (6597) South Mountain Preserve. The trail weaves up and around the side of the mountain with quick elevation gain and beautiful views of Phoenix. There is not much shade along this trail. 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). Not a trail for the faint at heart. Trailheads - South Mountain Park/Preserve. 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. 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. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. This blog was thoughtfully written by Annie Nguyen. When you come to the Hidden Valley, Mormon Trail Junction, continue to take Mormon Trail. Beautiful, overcast, mid-50s. Turn right (West) on Chandler Boulevard and continue going West until you reach the intersection with Ray Road. 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. Some moderate climbing. Theoretically, hikers should be the last people whod succumb to not being able to see the forest for the trees. 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. The trail continues along traversing the hill until it ends at the Max Delta Trail. 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. We will go at a relatively fast pace of around a 20 min/mile for the group. Your email address will not be published. Yes, you can ride a mountain bike on the road. Features: Steep climb, rocky terrain, scenic overlooks, historic trail. The route will lead you to a section where you are standing on a big rock looking out at the trail below you. This multi-use trail can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating with a 17 ft blue climb. 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.. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 34 min to complete. Infrastructure ImprovementProjectInformation: South Mountain Park/Preserve10919 S. Central Ave. Pima Canyon Trailhead*4800 E. Pima Canyon Rd. Mile 0.2: After a short hike, youll reach the first landmark of the trail, a small cave that offers a great view of the surrounding area. 6 People = $500. Typical rocky ascent and gravel throughout so wear hiking boots. Enjoy this 4.7-mile loop trail near Phoenix, Arizona. Get to know this 3.6-mile loop trail near Phoenix, Arizona. Your email address will not be published. Especially for the hike back down. Excellent conditions, almost 9km from the car. 4. Continue making a loop back to the Mormon Trail to return. The Mormon Trail is a steep and strenuous 1.4-mile trail located in South Mountain. Review"Take a Hike. As always, pack in what you take out! Adding to its appeal, this route gets the climbing out of the way at the beginning while legs are still fresh. In fact, though, when you walk up to the end of these rocks youll notice that the trail continues. Well worth the hike! Accessed by both hikingtrails andSummit Rd., the lookoutis popular with touristsand locals, who want to get an unobstructedpanoramicview of the Valley. There will come another point soon after where the trail seems to end at a long wall of humongous rocks. Maybe my love for Mormon Trail is biased? 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. This trail also provides alternative routes through connections with the Derby Loop, Bajada Trail, and Las Lomitas Loop, while traveling upward to the roadway. This time were offering a Ranger-lead Guided Hike AND a Self-Guided Hike! Please viewthe information provided by thelinks below to learn more about reserving a ramada. Trail was mostly up hill with an uneven, rocky path. WebMormon Trailhead 8610 S. 24th St. Hidden Valley Trail Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. As you enter you will immediately feel a cooler breeze hit your face and the temperature drop. Desert FoothillsTrailhead14251 S. Desert Foothills Pkwy. 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. 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. Mormon Trail is pretty short seeing as how it is a little bit over a mile long. Though it approaches a mile and a half high, South Pass is the lowest point on the Continental Divide between the Central and Southern Rocky Mountains. But its a mistake to let these spoilers suck all the air out of the room. We will meet at the ramada on the west end of the Mormon trailhead parking lot and then embark on the Mormon Trail. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. 8. Don't worry, though, it is big enough for most adults to fit through. WebThe Mormon Trail begins with an immediate incline and it doesnt let up until you are at the junction with National Trail. 2001 - 2023. After getting through Fat Mans Pass, you then will be walking in a sandy wash area. November 1 to April 30 - 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. This is a popular rest and picture spot! 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.' From Kiwanis Trailhead, proceed to Kiwanis Trail. There is a spot within Phoenixs South Mountain where a natural and enchanting playground exists. We will then reconnect with the Mormon Trail to make our way back to the parking lot. 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. 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. WebSouth Mountain Preserve. This area is so wide that you are able to walk up to these rocks and climb, inspect and explore what is around them. These rocks are very slippery and smooth so walking down them can be unstable. Epic views. 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. Follow Piedras Dr. to connect to Kiwanis Trailhead. Park at the San Juan Rd. Its located on the eastern slope of the mountain and its appeal is its downhill flow and the vast number of features to play around on. WebThe Pass lies in southwestern Fremont County, approximately 35 miles (56 km) SSW of Lander . Passage Map refers to the downloadable map available for this passage. WebNational Trail: A favorite on South Mountain. Proceed to Judith Tunell Accessible Trail. Sign in. Park hours: May 1 to October 31 - 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The only trail markers will be in the beginning and the end of the trail. The trail is steep and rocky, with loose gravel and occasional switchbacks. Brutal but doable climb. This is a great place to take a break and enjoy the scenery. Might have had a few bikes out on the loop - all well mannered & no problem! Steep but decent footing. Wear sun protection such as a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to prevent sunburn and heat exhaustion. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. This is a very popular area for hiking, mountain biking, and running, so you'll The Mormon Trailhead is a popular hiking trail in South Mountain Park and Preserve, located just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. WebHidden Valley Trail Via Mormon Trail. You will begin to appreciate why some hikers consider this a moderate or difficult trail. Completing the Mormon Loop and then heading back down to the parking lot is just over five miles. Or you can also slide down on one of the rocks as well. Difficulty: Moderate - (Should Be For Some One That Exercises Often) Hike Duration: 180 minutes. Fun all day long. Note:The park'sscenic roadways are shared by motor vehicles, bikers and hikers. 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