Monday, October 5, 2020

South Mountain Summer

After realizing anew the therapeutic value of hiking earlier this year, I started trying to hike most Saturday mornings. I made it my unofficial mission to see how many trails of the 16,000 acre South Mountain Preserve I could hike. I didn't make it to all of them, but I hit quite a few! (I also wandered some.) Here's a brief rundown:

Beverly Canyon Trail



It took me three tries to finish this one due to the number of spur trails. Follow the power lines to get it done!

Bursera Trail




Intended to be a Pyramid Trail hike, but I got off track. Lots of elevation change on this one!

Desert Classic Trail (partial)



A flat and ambling trail popular with bikers, so walk to the right and be careful!

Hau-Pal Trail



Starting from the 19th Avenue Trailhead, pretty much straight to the top and hard! Beautiful views!

Holbert Trail



Long, but great views! A moderate climb.

Javelina Canyon Trail 



An accidental hike when trying to find Beverly Canyon. Long, but not too hard.

Kiwanis Trail



Moderate. A good hike for the recreational hiker, but somewhat busy. This connects to Telegraph Trail.

Las Lomitas (partial)



Ambling, but enjoyable.

Marcos De Niza Trail



Whew! This is an up-and-down climb! And the end is not marked, so watch how far you go!

Ma Ha Tauk Trail



Beware! This trail goes on forever, way past what is mapped. Turn back when you are ready.

Max Delta Trail



Good for getting a feel for the park. Not too much climbing. In the open sun, though, so use care when hiking during the heat!

Pima Loop



A nice loop, with some shaded areas. Parking at the trailhead goes fast, though, so arrive early!

Ranger Trail



Flat-ish, then a climb to the ridgeline and views.

Ridgeline Trail



A steep climb to the top, but worth it for the view!

Telegraph Pass Trail



Starts on a cement trail, then turns to dirt/rock. Has petroglyphs and some climbing. A shorter hike that still leaves you feeling like you did something.

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Arizona friends, any new trails to recommend? Please comment below.

1 comment:

  1. I’m so proud of you! This was a fantastic rundown of your accomplishments, and you should feel great about all of the exploring that you did!

    ReplyDelete