Proceed to Pima Ridgeline Trail. The passes furnish a natural crossing point of the Rockies. Length 2.4 miElevation gain 744 ftRoute type Out & back. During this incline, you will undoubtedly notice the large boulders in the middle of the trail- just watch your step as these appear in several spots. 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. First mile is mostly uphill and moderately strenuous. 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. From Pima West Loop, turn right to proceed to Pima East Loop. It would be embarrassing to call for help because you were stuck at Fat Mans Pass. Hidden Valley via the Mormon Trail (South Mountain). Although the trail has been well marked until the loop, here is when some parts become unclear. 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.' This is a very popular area for hiking, mountain biking, and running, so you'll This blog was thoughtfully written by Annie Nguyen. The park boasts more than 50 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. The list below contains all of the passages in order from south to north. 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. 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. These are some of the best views in my opinion! 5. 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. Access: Start at the Park Main Entrance. Take, for instance, the Mormon Trail-Hidden Valley Loop in South Mountain Park. Trail was amazing! Not a trail for the faint at heart. Arizona Hiking Yoga 6. The Mormon Trail is named after the Mormon pioneers who used the trail to access a nearby quarry in the late 1800s. Taking the Mormon Trail and connecting to the National Trail can access one of the most scenic trails, the Hidden Valley Trail Loop. past the gate for 0.5 mi to connect to Alta Trail to your right. Some portions are rideable going up but it's mostly hike-a-bike. Youll wait for some people but its still pleasant. If crowds really annoy you, go on a weekday. 5. Mile 0.0: The trailhead for the Mormon Trail is located at the end of 24th Street in Phoenix. 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. However, the challenging climb is well worth it, as the trail offers some of the best views of the Phoenix area. Judging from trail wear, lots of people start this trail, but most don't go far. South Mountain Map We will meet at the ramada on the west end of the Mormon trailhead parking lot and then embark on the Mormon Trail. Continue on Stephen Mather Dr. through the first four-way intersection. 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. I would like to think you're ripping the band-aid off straight away. challenging but doable. 2023 www.azcentral.com. WebNational Trail: A favorite on South Mountain. 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. 1. Trial head is much closer to mountain than other locations. spots so either be early or nearby streets. Great trail, well marked. To start with the shorter Hidden Valley Loop, continue straight ahead on Mormon Trail and head right on the National Trail. 7. Very picturesque. From Five Tables, proceed to Ranger Trail. 4. Or, they can offer a relaxing space to sit and breathe in all the nature around you. An amazing hike see some of the tallest Saguaro cactus in Arizona. Bring at least 1-2 liters of water and be sure to be well hydrated. After 1 mile, the trail slows its steady incline as you reach the first intersection. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Be sure to check out the tunnel. 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. During the Summer, starting before 7AM is recommended to avoid the sweltering heat. Access: Start at Beverly Canyon Trailhead. People may know the trail loop by its famous points of Fat Mans Pass, and the lesser known but equally beautiful Hidden Valley Tunnel. Additionally, the roadways throughout the parkare a favorite forbicyclists. Get to know this 3.6-mile loop trail near Phoenix, Arizona. There are moments where you will see scenes, unlike anything else found on South Mountain. Proceed to Warpaint Loop Trail. Mormon Trail is pretty short seeing as how it is a little bit over a mile long. WebMeet at the trailhead at 8:30 am. Your email address will not be published. Beautiful views. If you thought Valley of Fire was exciting in the day, wait til you experience it at night! Very nice hike up the Mormon Trail to Hidden Valley. WebMormon Details. It took us almost 2 hours. The trail will start out easy and flat, then ascend up and traverse the hills behind the ranger station. Epic views. 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. 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. Most South Mountain Park hiking trails are shared with Mountain Bikers, so be on the lookout as you continue on your hike. 1. 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. It's easy to miss, but with this being a popular trail, you'll most likely see other hikers around this spot. Or you can also slide down on one of the rocks as well. Turn left onto National and then turn right to proceed to Hidden Valley Trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 28 min to complete. 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. Continue right to Pima Wash Trail. Social media is replete with negative comments about noisy groups, irresponsible hikers, food scraps, dog poo and painted rocks meant as inspirational gifts left in trees and clefts. Hikers should come prepared with plenty of water, appropriate footwear, and other necessary gear for a safe and enjoyable hike. 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. Completing the Mormon Loop and then heading back down to the parking lot is just over five miles. Mormon Trail to Hidden Valley quick facts: 3.4 miles (5.5 km) total distance of trail loop (out and back) 918 feet (280 m) elevation gain; most of it in the first mile Moderate level of difficulty Requires only 2 to 3 hours to complete the entire loop 4.5 star rating (out of 5) on alltrails.com star rating: (over 500 reviews) Towers and west of Buena Vista Lookout. Took us 2:57, we took pic etc. These false summits are a little annoying. 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. Proceed to Judith Tunell Accessible Trail. WebSouth Mountain Mormon Trail Hike Scottsdale North Stake 45+ Singles | Facebook 4 SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2023 AT 9:00 AM MST South Mountain Mormon Trail Hike Scottsdale North Stake 45+ Singles 8610 S 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85042, United States About Discussion More About Discussion Invite Details 15 people responded Event by Distance: 0.5 mi Elevation Change: 140 ft. Mormon Loop Trail This hike, as described, is a straight shot to Fat Mans Pass, and a straight shot back. 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. Always carry a first aid kit and emergency supplies, including a whistle and a map or GPS device. There are a lot of bikes. Fun all day long. The symbolto the rightof each trail name represents the This trail is a beast. Dobbins Lookout, at 2,330 feet, is the highest point in the park that isavailable to the public. The trail weaves up and around the side of the mountain with quick elevation gain and beautiful views of Phoenix. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Fun going through Fat Mans and the slide-through gap. From Pima Wash Trail, Proceed to Pima West Loop. From the parking lot at the Mormon Trailhead, the trail immediately leads uphill. WebJoin us for one of my favorite hikes at South Mountain. The Mormon Trail was used for more than 20 years after the Mormons used it and has been reserved for sightseeing. The Mormon Trailhead is a popular hiking trail in South Mountain Park and Preserve, located just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. All rights reserved. Take the dirt road until it connects to Mormon Trail and starts to climb up. Getting there:From central Phoenix, go south on Seventh Avenue to Baseline Road. As always, pack in what you take out! Mormon Trail-Hidden Valley Loop Length: 6.2 miles. It has a way of making you feel so small! Gate. Once you have reached the ending trail marker for Mormon Trail youll see two trail markers. In fact, though, when you walk up to the end of these rocks youll notice that the trail continues. And by narrow, I really mean narrow! Access: Start at South Mountain Park Main Entrance. This trail offers a steady climb to the upper areas of South Mountain Park. Bring your game. Pet Friendly: Yes, leashed pets are allowed on the trail. To learn more please refer to our Hiking Disclaimer. For the most part, this path is in a wash, which makes it clear and easy to navigate. Access: Start at Beverly Canyon Trailhead to connect to Beverly Canyon Trail. Beautiful day on a beautiful 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. WebHidden Valley Trail Via Mormon Trail. Web4 People = $400. Phoenix is so big its hard to give general directions that are accurate. 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.. So while it may get you breathing heavy and your heart rate up, it wont take too long to do so. Taking the Mormon Trail and connecting to the National Trail can access one of the most scenic trails, the Hidden Valley Trail Loop. 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. A tight squeeze through a slim but short crack between boulders serves as a gateway to Hidden Valley. Fat Mans Pass and The Tunnel were fun sites along the way. Absolutely beautiful. Park at the San Juan Rd. After getting through Fat Mans Pass, you then will be walking in a sandy wash area. Typical rocky ascent and gravel throughout so wear hiking boots. 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. Join us for one of my favorite hikes at South Mountain. The viewpoints continue as you ascend the multiple switchbacks on this trail. WebMarch Full Moon Hike - Reservation Required. Passage Map refers to the downloadable map available for this passage. It is steep in places, but moderate in most places. We hiked on a Friday afternoon. 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. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Bring at least 1-2 liters of water and be sure to be well hydrated. How long is Mormon Loop trail? Might have had a few bikes out on the loop - all well mannered & no problem! Turn right (south) and go to Euclid Avenue, turn left and continue a few yards to the trailhead on the right. Continue on Stephen Mather Dr. and at the first four-way intersection, take a left. Nice views reward hikers at the top. 4. Take Baseline straight for 3.6 miles then turn left onto 24th St. This is a busy trailhead, and all the locals know where it is. This is a popular rest and picture spot! Some moderate climbing. 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. From Kiwanis Trailhead, proceed to Kiwanis Trail. See dazzling rock formations. We added the Mormon Trail Loop for a more substantial hike. Keep your eyes on the rocks because petroglyphs from the Hohokam tribe can be seen! This is one of the City's preserve-based, barrier-free trails, consisting of two -mile hard surface loops, providing for a smoother passage. Try Fat Man's pass without a pack on, and then the rock tunnels near it, so fun! 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. The classic Phoenix circuit has many of the positive components on hiker checklists. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Long day of ups and downs with gorgeous views. 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. Alta Trail is steep on both ends as it rises to the crest of the Ma Ha Tuak Range in South Mountain Park. Starting at the Mormon Trailhead, the trail immediately starts to ascend up boulder-like terrain. 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. From there, the trail continues upward to the top of the ridge, where hikers can connect with other trails in the park, such as the Hidden Valley Trail and National Trail. Hike starts promptly at 9:00 am. WebMormon Pioneer National Historic Trail National Park Service 324 South State Street, Suite 200 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 801-741-1012. Register for Hikes and Outdoor Nature Programs. Remember: This trail is multi-purpose so be mindful of the mountain bikers! Therefore you will see two separate trail markers for Hidden Valley. Travel south on Mormon Trail to connect to National Trail. I would suggest starting Hidden Valley at the Fat Mans Pass end. Is much closer to Mountain than other locations has been well marked until Loop! Friendly: Yes, leashed pets are allowed on the Trail immediately leads uphill to general... To Beverly Canyon Trail a first aid kit and emergency supplies, including a whistle and map... 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The Hohokam tribe can be seen: from central Phoenix, Arizona it takes an average 1! And your heart rate up, it takes an average of 1 h 28 min to complete it. Have reached the ending Trail marker for Mormon Trail to Hidden Valley it takes an of. Park Service 324 South State Street, Suite 200 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 801-741-1012 available for passage...

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