South Mountain Park is one of the Valley’s great recreational resources.
With more than 50 miles of multi-use trails criss-crossing more than 16,000 acres of rugged desert beauty, the park is loved by hikers, bikers, and horseback riders alike.
But there’s more: Several splendid overlooks give even casual visitors a sweeping view of the valley, while a couple of stables just outside the park allow weekend cowboys to indulge their inner cowboy on the park’s trails.
The park began in 1924 when President Calvin Coolidge authorized the sale of 13,000 acres (the park has since grown) of federal land to the city of Phoenix. Tag price: $17,000. What theft!
Today, with more than 3 million visitors a year, South Mountain Park is the second most visited park in all of Arizona, second only to the Grand Canyon.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing half-hour ride or a challenging day hike, an easy-to-roll mountain bike ride or road bike options, a scenic desert horseback riding trail or spectacularly scenic overlooks, You’ll find it in South Mountain Park.
Hiking
One of the best things about South Mountain Park, aside from its sheer size, easy access, and wonderfully varied terrain, is its interconnecting trail system, which allows hikers to tailor hikes to suit their tastes as well as their fitness levels. .
Trails range from the short, easy, barrier-free Judith Tunell Accessible Trail to the grueling 14.3-mile National Trail through the park.
Fat Man’s Pass – One of our favorites is the fun, family friendly hike up Fat Man’s Pass. Kids love to slide down the foot-wide slot. Adults too. The 20 foot squeeze takes you between huge smooth granite boulders.
Where: Take Summit Road to Buena Vista Lookout, then walk the National Trail east-northeast about 1.5 miles to the marked junction with Hidden Valley. Fat Man’s Pass is a little further.
Length: 3 miles round trip.
Difficulty: Easy.
Ranger Trail – For a more challenging hike, try the Ranger Trail. As you exit the Five Tables Picnic Area (which, unsurprisingly, has five picnic tables), the line of the ridge in front of you looks daunting. Don’t worry: a series of long, fairly smooth switchbacks keep the ascent from becoming overwhelming.
The Ranger Trail ends at a junction with the National Trail, approximately 1.4 miles and a leisurely 45 minutes from the trailhead. For better views to the south, continue west along the National Trail about 100 yards.
Go back to the trailhead where you came from.
Where: About a quarter mile past the park offices at the old entrance station (or three-quarters of a mile past the new entrance station), turn left at the sign for the equestrian area and proceed about a quarter mile to Five Tables Picnic Area. (Don’t worry that the sign refers to the Three Tables area. This is where you need to turn.)
Length: 2.8 miles round trip.
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous. The trail gains about 800 feet in elevation, but the incline is reasonably gentle for most of the way.
Mountain bike
The Desert Classic Trail is the park’s best route for mountain biking. The long, undulating single track winds through the drop off in the southeastern section of the park.
Although often recommended for novices, the Desert Classic dives in and out of various sandy washes, sometimes quite steep. Although experienced mountain bikers will find this to be an exceptional ride, beginners are likely to end up hiking several sections. Be sure to keep an eye out for hikers and horseback riders who share this popular trail.
Where: The Desert Classic Trail runs from the Pima Canyon Trailhead to the Desert Foothills Trailhead.
Length: 9.6 miles, one way.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate for experienced riders, moderate to difficult for novices.
You might see a handful of hard-core cyclists riding the National Trail, which crosses the spine of the mountain range, through the park. This is a really tough ride, suitable for expert riders only.
road cycling
In the past, cyclists could expect plenty of bumps and rattles while riding the bumpy roads in South Mountain Park. No more. Last year’s paving project turned bumpy roadways into easy-to-ride paths, great for road bikes.
Closed to motorists until further notice (due to fire concerns), the road to Mirador de San Juan is an especially good ride, a smooth and fast cruise through the scenic western end of the park. And with no motorists to watch out for, it’s more fun than ever.
Where: Many cyclists park at the front gate and ride the main road about two miles to San Juan Road. However, if you prefer, you can drive to San Juan Road and park in the large triangular area between the roads, then go the rest of the way.
Length: About 4.5 miles, one way. Add two miles (each way) if you park at the gate.
Difficulty: Easy.
Summit Road – Those looking for a challenge can test their skills on Summit Road, which was also resurfaced last year. But it’s a tough grind, gaining over a thousand feet in height. Note that the road is quite narrow and often has virtually no shoulders.
Where: Park at the gate or beginning of San Juan Road, as before, and take Summit Road to Gila Valley Lookout.
Length: Approximately six miles one way, starting on San Juan Road. Add two miles (each direction) if you start from the front door.
Difficulty: Exhausting. Recommended only for experienced riders and in good condition.
to ride a horse
Saddle up and take a ride through the picturesque desert hills inside South Mountain Park. There’s nothing like the constant clop-clop of hooves on a trail and the rhythmic motion of a trail ride to give you a taste of the Old West.
Ponderosa Stables: For a guided ride, rent a horse at Ponderosa Stables, near the Central Avenue entrance to the park.
have a picnic
There are dozens of picnic tables and grills throughout the park, all within a short drive. Most are arranged on a first-come, first-served basis, but the largest ramadas, some of which can hold up to 200 people, can be reserved by registering in person at the South Mountain Environmental Education Center, up to six months in advance. All are free except for the Activity Complex, east of SMEEC, which has a commercial kitchen and can be rented for $20 an hour.
petroglyphs
There are thousands of prehistoric petroglyphs scattered throughout the South Mountain region. Those ancient symbols include representations of geometric figures, lizards, snakes, bighorn sheep and creepy humanoids, but no one knows if they were intended to convey practical information about the location of game and water sources, or played a role in religious rituals. .
Among the best places to see petroglyphs are:
• Off the Telegraph Pass Trail on the south side of the park.
• About a quarter mile along Holbert Trail behind the visitor center.
• Along the Judith Tunnel Accessible Trail.
There is also an inscription, almost certainly false, of Fray Marcos de Niza near the Pima Canyon trailhead. Take the Desert Classic Trail south and follow the signs. The signup is a couple hundred yards from the trailhead, but the trail goes up several rough, rocky steps.
Although some historians believe that the Franciscan friar, who claimed to have seen the fabled Seven Golden Cities of Cibola in western New Mexico in 1539, may have traveled through the Rio Salado Valley, the carving in South Mountain Park was likely created in the 1920s or 1930s. .
panoramic viewpoints
Dobbins Lookout offers the widest and best views to the north. The popular, frequently crowded overlook features a stone restroom, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a bronze plaque marking about two dozen features in the distance, a couple of shadeless picnic tables, and restrooms. (But those with picky sensitivities may wish to find other facilities.)
Hikers can access the Holbert Trail from here.
Where: Take Summit Road a little over three miles to the signposted turnoff for the overlook, which is about a quarter of a mile from Summit Road.
Buena Vista Lookout also offers great views to the north, but not as good as Dobbins. However, it is considerably less crowded.
There is a bench about 75 yards north of the parking area, to take in the panoramic views before you.
Hikers can take the National Trail east to Fat Man’s Pass and Hidden Valley from this overlook. No facilities.
Where: From the Dobbins Lookout turnoff, continue about a mile and a half to Buena Vista.
Gila Valley Lookout is the highest point in the park accessible to visitors, just 30 feet or so below the antennae-covered summit of Mount Suppoa (2,690 feet).
The views to the south are stunning, with ridges and ridges of mountains fading into the distance. You’ll also find good views of the Superstition Mountains to the east and Sierra Estrellas to the west. No facilities.
Where: From the Dobbins Lookout turnoff, continue approximately 2.5 miles to Gila Valley Lookout.
Visit: Phoenix-Getaway.com [http://www.phoenix-getaway.com]