For the most part, this path is in a wash, which makes it clear and easy to navigate. Fat Mans Pass is one of the most popular hikes near Phoenix, AZ. It would be terrible to let distractions asphyxiate its virtues. Proceed to Warpaint Loop Trail. 5. Take another left from Desert Classic to connect to Lower Corona. Then we practice one hour of Yoga. I would highly recommend walking sticks. See dazzling rock formations. 2. Moving your way to the top of the first hill only rewards you with another couple of hills to hike up. Access: Start at Geronimo Trailhead. South Mountain Map [CDATA[ As you have probably imagined so far, Fat Mans Pass is a very narrow path that is incorporated into the trail. Dress in layers, as temperatures can vary significantly between day and night. The first trail marker (at around 1.3 miles) will indicate that its in tunnel side of Hidden Valley. Once on the trail it is simple to follow up to the National Trail. 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. 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. Due tothe many blind corners, narrow sectionsandtreacherous drop-offs,extreme caution should bemaintained and adherence to thespeed limit followed. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. 1. When approached from a see-the-forest perspective, even oft-maligned, old standard trails can qualify as top destinations. Loved this trail. Distance: 0.5 mi Elevation Change: 140 ft. Mormon Loop Trail The Track and Waypoints refer to downloadable GPS data. At around a total of 1.9 miles there may be some confusion. Elevation: 1,338-1,566 feet. 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. Trail was amazing! To get to the trailhead: From the Phoenix area, take I-10 south to Chandler Blvd. Following the trail, it will seem to end at a boulder wall corner. This hike is located near Phoenix, AZ. Although, not a very long trail, it does offer direct access to the National Trail and Telegraph Pass Trail, once you reach the roadway at the trails end. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 5 min to complete. Very populated trail. Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. The list below contains all of the passages in order from south to north. 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. 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. The National Trail on South Mountain is easily one of the most iconic mountain bike trails in Phoneix, Arizona, if not the whole state. Proceed leftto Marcos De Niza Trail. Proceed to Max Delta Trail. One for Mormon Loop on your left and another for National Trail straight ahead. Access: Start at the 19th Ave. Trailhead to connect to Ma a Tauk Trail. WebExperience this 4.7-mile loop trail near Phoenix, Arizona. Turn left and head a hundred yards downhill to compare your gut against the two boulders. 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. The viewpoints are the perfect spots to take small breaks or take in the city. 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. Most South Mountain Park hiking trails are shared with Mountain Bikers, so be on the lookout as you continue on your hike. 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.) Open full screen to view more. Judging from trail wear, lots of people start this trail, but most don't go far. * Please remember to hike at your own risk. We will meet at the ramada on the west end of the Mormon trailhead parking lot and then embark on the Mormon Trail. 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. Mile 0.0: The trailhead for the Mormon Trail is located at the end of 24th Street in Phoenix. 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. Beautiful views. Thought it was a scenic and the loop was perfect for timing. It's nothing but sketchy tech where wheel placement and speed are of the utmost importance. 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. We will be doing an intermediate afternoon/evening hike to Hidden Valley via the Mormon Trail. Continue right to Pima Wash Trail. 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. Turn left (east) and continue to 24th Street. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Proceed to Geronimo Trail. Print/PDF map. Parking Cost: Free. 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. Once you have reached the ending trail marker for Mormon Trail youll see two trail markers. 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. This makes a good loop starting from the Pima Canyon Trailhead. Features: Steep climb, rocky terrain, scenic overlooks, historic trail. Just as it started off with the unique Fat Mans Pass, it will end with another unique formation, a natural rock tunnel that you can enter. Or, they can offer a relaxing space to sit and breathe in all the nature around you. 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.. The Mormon Trailhead is a popular hiking trail in South Mountain Park and Preserve, located just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. All of the above are regarding the Central Avenue entrance to the park. Access: Start at the Park Main Entrance. So while it may get you breathing heavy and your heart rate up, it wont take too long to do so. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 34 min to complete. Access: Start at Beverly Canyon Trailhead to connect to Beverly Canyon Trail. This blog was thoughtfully written by Annie Nguyen. Hidden Valley is a loop trail that branches off of National. challenging but doable. WebHidden Valley Trail Via Mormon Trail. Chandler Blvd. 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. North side of mountain so a bit more green. Remember: This trail is multi-purpose so be mindful of the mountain bikers! Can you use a mountain bike anywhere? 8. Take the first left on to Phoenix South Mountain Park. 3. We added the Mormon Trail Loop for a more substantial hike. Access: Start from Warpaint Dr. Access Trailhead. No restrooms. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. It would be embarrassing to call for help because you were stuck at Fat Mans Pass. WebMarch Full Moon Hike - Reservation Required. Loved climbing the rocks. This is one of those hikes you want to do in the early morning. 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. This is the starting point of the 1.4-mile section of the trail. Ramada Usage inSouth MountainPark/Preserve: The ramadas inSouth Mountain Park/Preserveare available for public use, andseveral require a reservation. Access: Start at Beverly Canyon Trailhead. In order to get to this wild play area, we first need to take a couple of hiking trails. It's easy to miss, but with this being a popular trail, you'll most likely see other hikers around this spot. 6. Youll wait for some people but its still pleasant. 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. WebTrailheads - South Mountain Park/Preserve. This is a popular rest and picture spot! This map was created by a user. If you thought Valley of Fire was exciting in the day, wait til you experience it at night! Travel south on Mormon Trail to connect to National Trail. Dobbins Lookout, at 2,330 feet, is the highest point in the park that isavailable to the public. There are a lot of bikes. Just watch out. Climb straight up and over these rocks as well. 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. March 7, 2023 at 5:45pm to March 7, 2023 at 8:30pm. About halfway up the trail, hikers will reach a scenic overlook that provides a great spot to rest and take in the views. 7. Take your time, take a few breaks, and youll be fine. WebMormon Details. WebFrom there, we will make our way through Hidden Valley and scramble over a variety of interesting rock formations. Pyramid Trail starts out fairly easy from the Area 620 Trailhead, but it quickly gets steep at the base of the ridge it climbs. Around 1.9 miles you can go down the steep rock, or there is another path to the right. The Ranger Trail provides a gradual climb through the foothills approaching the parks roadway. WebThe Mormon Trail is very well-defined, well designed and well-trodden at the beginning, but it becomes much more rugged and harder to follow the higher it goes. There is a spot within Phoenixs South Mountain where a natural and enchanting playground exists. After an approximately 1.5 mile long steep ascent, we will begin the Hidden Valley Loop over rolling terrain and soon after reach Fat Man's Pass. Heritage sites, gnarly rock passages and hidden finds. Proceed to T-Bone Trail. We meet at the Mormon Trail parking lot, stretching for 15 minutes before we hit the trail. Review"Take a Hike. 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. Fat Mans Pass and The Tunnel were fun sites along the way. There are two big boulders that are very close together, creating a narrow pathway for hikers to go through. 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. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 34 min to complete. Plan your hikes for early mornings or late afternoons to avoid the hottest part of the day. Watch your footing, but make sure to look up from time to time to drink in the panoramic city and boulder sceneries! A lot of people out but we got lucky finding a spot in the parking lot. It is steep in places, but moderate in most places. It looks like it could be a plastic mold of the rock tunnel, and that it cant be real. The trail weaves up and around the side of the mountain with quick elevation gain and beautiful views of Phoenix. Bring and drink enough water throughout the hike 1-2 Liters will be adequate. Typical rocky ascent and gravel throughout so wear hiking boots. 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. Proceed to Warpaint North to connect to Desert Classic by taking a left. You can find her on Instagram at @_annien. This is one of the City's preserve-based, barrier-free trails, consisting of two -mile hard surface loops, providing for a smoother passage. All rights reserved. This time were offering a Ranger-lead Guided Hike AND a Self-Guided Hike! Turn left onto National and then turn right to proceed to Hidden Valley Trail. At the 1.2-mile point, a sign marks the junction of two connected loops. From there, we will make our way through Hidden Valley and scramble over a variety of interesting rock formations. 4. Weathered rock slabs that hang from cliffs form odd sculptures that frame views of the Valley and surrounding mountain ranges. 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. This area feels like a magical place, as most of the other trails can be too populated to see this type of wildlife freely roaming on the trail. WebNational Trail: A favorite on South Mountain. There are moments where you will see scenes, unlike anything else found on South Mountain. Corona De Loma is a rough and sometimes steep trail heading up from the Desert Classic to the National Trail near Buena Vista Lookout atop South Mountain Park. Proceed to Javelina Canyon Trail. The Hidden Valley Trail via Mormom Trail offers interesting tunnels, dry waterfalls, and a Access: Start at 19th Ave. Trailhead. 2. $134/mo Get pre-approved Beds Baths 11.97 Acres (Lot) About This Home Just under 12 acres being sold individually or with 2 adjacent lots! This is a busy trailhead, and all the locals know where it is. Bring at least 1-2 liters of water and be sure to be well hydrated. WebWith any South Mountain trailhead, you're bound to have good views at just about any time of day and have a good time #hikingarizona The worst part of this trailhead is parking. Finally, you will end the loop at Fat Mans Pass, which is a very narrow passageway formed by huge boulders. 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. Web[The Mormons followed a trail from Sly Park that approximates the path of the present Mormon Emigrant Trail, which extends from an intersection with Sly Park Road at Jenkinson Lake and runs generally southeast to a junction with California Highway 88 about five miles west of Silver Lake. Turn right (West) on Chandler Boulevard and continue going West until you reach the intersection with Ray Road. Because its close to town, the route can get very busy. 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. But hikers are not immune toits soul-sapping vortex. 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. November 1 to April 30 - 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Corona De Loma Trail is a little difficult to access from the bottom due to the number of spur trails in the area. The next time you're in the Phoenix city limits, get out and try this hike! I am in moderate shape. Adding to its appeal, this route gets the climbing out of the way at the beginning while legs are still fresh. Photos (7,435) Directions. Take, for instance, the Mormon Trail-Hidden Valley Loop in South Mountain Park. This area is so wide that you are able to walk up to these rocks and climb, inspect and explore what is around them. Mormon Trail Map Compiled & edited by Kathy Weiser / Legends of America, updated March 2020. Yes, you can ride a mountain bike on the road. Park hours: May 1 to October 31 - 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Leave no trace. The classic Phoenix circuit has many of the positive components on hiker checklists. Thank you S Mountain for sharing your land and resources with me today. 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