Hiking Trails and Trips
Trips
Read the full description of this hike here on liliatakesahike.com.
For a full review of this hike, take a look at my blog post here on liliatakesahike.com.
For turn-by-turn instructions and a details description of this hike, refer to page 241 in my book, Take a Hike Phoenix.To read about a recent experience on this trail, please read my blog post on liliatakesahike.com.
Click here for turn-by-turn directions for this trail on my blog, liliatakesahike.com.
Click here to read the turn-by-turn directions for this hike on my bog, liliatakesahike.com.
Read the full trail review by clicking here to access my blog, Liliatakesahike.com.
You can read all the details with photos and turn-by-turn directions for this hike on my blog post here. Enjoy!
Get the whole story for this trail including turn-by-turn directions on my blog post here. Enjoy!
Read all about this trail on my blog post here. Enjoy!
The McDowell Mountains does it again!This is just the latest trail in the McDowell Mountains that I've fallen for. This beautiful hike starts in a private neighborhood, leisurely strolls through the foothills of the range, and ends at the Dixie Mine.It's located on the southwest corner of the McDowell Regional Park. The trailhead is a small parking lot (with bathrooms) in a quiet neighborhood.Start the hike by following the well-marked sidewalk path...
Well, what can a hiking writer say that hasn't already been said about the Piestewa Peak summit hike?It's one of the most popular trails in town for good reason (check out the photos on the summit for proof). The Summit Trail 300 climbs 1,200 feet in only 2.4 miles. This map shows a longer version of the trail that includes a portion of Freedom Trail 302 before following the Summit Trail 300....
The Phoenix Mountains Preserve is grand, isn't it?Here's yet another amazing trail that has it all...a lengthy walk through the desert, a sweaty climb, and summit views. Bonus: this one also features a "ruin" of the Cloud 9 Restaurant.Navigation is simple. From the trailhead, merely follow the trail signs for the Shaw Butte 306 Trail (when in doubt, stay to the right). It's just shy of 4 miles with 850 feet elevation...
I always fool myself into thinking this hike is easy. But it's not easy. It's just short. (And painful.)It's super worth it, however, because Lookout Mountain lives up to its name. While other summits in the area have views that are blocked by other neighboring summits, Lookout Mountain is footloose and fancy free of any big mountains blocking a panoramic view of The Valley.Navigation is very easy on this trail. From the...
Shaw Butte Summit Trail in Phoenix Mountains
Heritage Highlands, Arizona, United States
Hiking | 2.6 miles
Hiking | 2.6 miles
It doesn't seem to matter how many times I do this hike. It wrecks me every time. And this is the easy side!This map shows just the north side of a larger summit loop on Shaw Butte. From the trailhead, veer right to follow wide, access road. Then put your head down and climb, climb, climb. When you see a path to the metal television towers, hang a left turn to walk...
I love this trail!If you want to know the sentimental story behind my love for this lovely loop, take a look at my blog post.There's really no way to describe this trail in a quick way. It's tricky...VERY tricky. The Dreamy Draw recreation area is a complicated tangle of trails plagued by unofficial trailblazes that are so well-worn that even the most competent hiker will be fooled.For the best, most detailed description...
Holbert Trail in South Mountain
South Mountain Trailer Park, Arizona, United States
Hiking | 4.0 miles
Hiking | 4.0 miles
Holbert Trail leads to the highest accessible point in South Mountain at Dobbins Lookout. And for that claim, it's not as challenging as you might think.Spread over a generous 2 miles of elevation gain, it's not as intense as other summit trails in The Valley. With a lovely warm-up along flat desert land (peppered by delightful petroglyphs), this is probably the most forgiving summit trail around.Find the trailhead across the road from...
I've taken a serious interest in wheelchair-friendly hikes. I love that Phoenix offers the opportunity for everyone to enjoy the desert trails. This trail is, by far, one of the finest barrier free trails in The Valley. Though it was close to the park entrance, I really felt like we walked into the wild desert.From the Central Avenue entrance to South Mountain Park, the trailhead is conveniently located from the park's Environmental...
Trail 220 at Dreamy Draw in Phoenix Mountains Preserve
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Hiking | 1.8 miles
Hiking | 1.8 miles
I didn't have high expectations for this trail but it turned out to be a LOVELY little loop.Trail 220 is conveniently accessible from the main parking lot at the Dreamy Draw recreation area. Enter via the signed trailhead on the paved walkway which is located up the ramp, past the ramadas and bathrooms.Following this trail requires vigilant awareness of trail markers but it can be done! Just be sure to check every...
