Mormon Trail is a fairly busy trail much of the time. Trail was amazing! Elevation: 1,280-2,080 feet. 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. Length 3.6 miElevation gain 925 ftRoute type Loop. We will meet at the ramada on the west end of the Mormon trailhead parking lot and then embark on the Mormon Trail. WebFrom there, we will make our way through Hidden Valley and scramble over a variety of interesting rock formations. 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. First mile is mostly uphill and moderately strenuous. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Get to know this 3.6-mile loop trail near Phoenix, Arizona. Turn left (east) and continue to 24th Street. From here, Fat Man's Pass is about .5 miles away. //]]> Additionally, San Juan Road is closed except during the first full weekend of each month, when it is open all day Saturday and from 10 a.m. to close on Sunday. Once we lose our sense of wonder and the ability to see beyond loud, immediate things on a hiking trail, whats left are rote progressions chronicled on Instagram. 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. From here you will proceed to hike forward toward National Trail for only about 0.1 of a mile. Access: Start at the Park Main Entrance. There are a lot of bikes. Wish we would have gotten here earlier so we could do the whole trail before sunset. Either way, if you're in the Phoenix area and do not want to go too far for a great hike or you're just now getting into hiking, add this trail to your list. North side of mountain so a bit more green. From there, we will make our way through Hidden Valley and scramble over a variety of interesting rock formations. Print/PDF map. Some folks use the larger rock on the right side of the pass as a rock slide, which you can do too! 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. WebMormon Details. I had to take off my hydration pack in order to squeeze through. Hidden Valley via the Mormon Trail (South Mountain). The reason is because from Fat Mans Pass you will be hiking down, and will be able to see the paths laid out better. This trail is a beast. 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. Be sure to check out the tunnel. Mile 1.2: The trail becomes steeper again as you approach the end of the 1.4-mile section of the Mormon Trail. We will go at a relatively fast pace of around a 20 min/mile for the group. Continue right onto Pima Wash Trail. 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. 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. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. DISTANCE: 3.6 mile Lollipop ELEVATION Gain: 925 feet DURATION: 2 hrs and 15 minutes or so FACILITIES: None START TIME: 4:00 PM. Web322 W Mountain Sage Dr unit N/A, Phoenix, AZ 85045 Ahwatukee Foothills 4 Beds 3 Bath 2283 Sqft Contact Property Learn more, take a tour, and get one step closer to your new home. Especially for the hike back down. 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. Some of the marble boulders were very slick, so we negotiated them on our butts. The ubiquitous expression describes a common affliction of missing the big picturein a haze of minutia. The trail went over South Pass, then worked its way through the mountains. Proceed to Judith Tunell Accessible Trail. This area, known as Hidden Valley, is a bit more concealed from the weather than nearby landscapes, which creates special rock formations that make this a unique trail to explore. $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! But its a mistake to let these spoilers suck all the air out of the room. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. If crowds really annoy you, go on a weekday. Proceed to T-Bone Trail. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Might have had a few bikes out on the loop - all well mannered & no problem! Any GPS, map, or phone app will be able to get you to the right place. So while it may get you breathing heavy and your heart rate up, it wont take too long to do so. 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. Today, its a popular trail for hikers and offers a glimpse into the history of the area. These are busy trails on weekdays and insanely busy trails on the weekends, be sure not to leave any litter behind, and to stay on the designated path. You will be surrounded by rocks that are laying on top of each other in exceptional ways, creating different formations against the blue sky above. 6. Review"Take a Hike. WebThe Pass lies in southwestern Fremont County, approximately 35 miles (56 km) SSW of Lander . Hikers should come prepared with plenty of water, appropriate footwear, and other necessary gear for a safe and enjoyable hike. Around 1.9 miles you can go down the steep rock, or there is another path to the right. Stay on the main trail, and you will eventually (2 miles from the trailhead) reach the turn for Fat Mans Pass. The trail is hot and miserable even when the temperature is only seventy degrees. WebExperience this 6.4-mile loop trail near Phoenix, Arizona. Coming up in the opposite direction, much of your view would be blocked by the boulders and it might be more difficult to navigate. In order to get to this wild play area, we first need to take a couple of hiking trails. You will begin to appreciate why some hikers consider this a moderate or difficult trail. We will meet at the ramada on the west end of the Mormon trailhead parking lot and then embark on the Mormon Trail. The Ma-Ha-Tauk Trail starts off at a gradual incline, then ramps up at a hard ascent to the Cross Cut Trail junction. Most people take the Mormon Trail to the National Trail and the national trail to either end of Hidden Valley. Proceed to Warpaint North to connect to Desert Classic by taking a left. Enjoy this 4.7-mile loop trail near Phoenix, Arizona. Finally, you will end the loop at Fat Mans Pass, which is a very narrow passageway formed by huge boulders. Respect wildlife and stay at a safe distance, as many desert animals can be dangerous. Judging from trail wear, lots of people start this trail, but most don't go far. The symbolto the rightof each trail name represents the guidelines before visiting the trail. You'll see older children and dogs on the trail. Access: Start at 19th Ave. Trailhead. Elevation: 1,338-1,566 feet. 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. Bring your game. Bring at least 1-2 liters of water and be sure to be well hydrated. 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. Long day of ups and downs with gorgeous views. Proceed to Geronimo Trail. This is a very popular area for hiking, mountain biking, and running, so you'll Just watch out. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Proceed to Telegraph Pass Trail. Most South Mountain Park hiking trails are shared with Mountain Bikers, so be on the lookout as you continue on your hike. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 43 min to complete. The Holbert Trail also provides a route to connect with the National Trail just east of the T.V. 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. We will be doing an intermediate afternoon/evening hike to Hidden Valley via the Mormon Trail. That being said, this is a trail that most people can hike on without too much difficulty. Heritage sites, gnarly rock passages and hidden finds. 3. All rights reserved. Because its close to town, the route can get very busy. This blog was thoughtfully written by Annie Nguyen. Always carry a first aid kit and emergency supplies, including a whistle and a map or GPS device. After getting through Fat Mans Pass, you then will be walking in a sandy wash area. Proceed to Beverly Canyon Trail. 6. Exact location will be sent when your reservation is confirmed. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. The correct way is to climb up those boulders to the rest of the trail. There are several signs along the way that show hikers the remaining distance between the sign and a new destination. My dog was tired (and overheated in early March), so pace yourself on this trail. At the west end of Hidden Valley there is a 'Fat Man's Pass' and naturally smooth rock 'slide.' South Mountain Park/Preserve Trails Master Plan, Register for Hikes and Outdoor Nature Programs, Learn AboutSouth Mountain Park Trails Master Plan, South Mountain Towers Contractor Information, Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department facility. Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. The parking lot for the trail-head will be on your right, at this curve. Once through the pass, you'll be able to enjoy some shade and a quiet rest spot. Bring at least 1-2 liters of water and be sure to be well hydrated. We will be doing an intermediate afternoon/evening hike to Hidden Valley via the Mormon Trail. WebMarch Full Moon Hike - Reservation Required. Experience this 2.4-mile out-and-back trail near Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix is so big its hard to give general directions that are accurate. Your email address will not be published. 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. 4. WebFeaturing city views, desert life and distinct rock formations, South Mountains Hidden Valley Trail stands out among the areas best loops. 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. Take the first left on to Phoenix South Mountain Park. This hike is located near Phoenix, AZ. Pet Friendly: Yes, leashed pets are allowed on the trail. This is one of those hikes you want to do in the early morning. One for Mormon Loop on your left and another for National Trail straight ahead. Hike starts promptly at 9:00 am. Nice, scenic hike with views of the entire valley. wpEasyChart.wpNewChart("easyChartDiv6d9b8001", {"type":"line","width":"300","height":"300","title":"Hike Profile","minaxis":"1200","groupnames":"estimated elevation","groupcolors":"f9b81c","valuenames":"0,.5,1,1.5,2,2.5,3,3.5,4","group1values":"1255,1645,1998,2069,2079,2069,1998,1645,1255","group2values":"0,0,0","group3values":"0,0,0","group4values":"0,0,0","group5values":"0,0,0","group6values":"0,0,0","group7values":"0,0,0","group8values":"0,0,0","group9values":"0,0,0","group10values":"0,0,0","group11values":"0,0,0","group12values":"0,0,0","group1markers":"","group2markers":"","group3markers":"","group4markers":"","group5markers":"","group6markers":"","group7markers":"","group8markers":"","group9markers":"","group10markers":"","group11markers":"","group12markers":"","markercolor":"FFFF00","imagealtattr":"Altitude Chart for This Hike","imagetitleattr":"Hiking Elevation Chart","hidechartdata":true,"chartcolor":"FFFFFF","chartfadecolor":"DDDDDD","datatablecss":"hentry easyChartDataTable","imgstyle":"text-align:center;float:center;","watermark":"","watermarkvert":"","watermarkcolor":"A0BAE9","currency":"","currencyright":false,"precision":"","grid":false,"axis":"both"}); If you thought Valley of Fire was exciting in the day, wait til you experience it at night! Proceed left to Desert Classic Trail. 2. Follow Piedras Dr. to connect to Kiwanis Trailhead. Difficulty: Moderate - (Should Be For Some One That Exercises Often) Hike Duration: 180 minutes. Check, check, check. The symbolto the rightof each trail name represents the More interesting scenery than our other hikes so far. The trail will start out easy and flat, then ascend up and traverse the hills behind the ranger station. All of the above are regarding the Central Avenue entrance to the park. The first trail marker (at around 1.3 miles) will indicate that its in tunnel side of Hidden Valley. 2. Access: Start from the Area 620 Trailhead. Mile 1.0: After a challenging climb, youll reach a saddle with sweeping views of the valley. WebFrom there, we will make our way through Hidden Valley and scramble over a variety of interesting rock formations. You'll pass through a small valley area where the scenery completely changes as the trail looks more like sand. 1. This trail travels through a rock-studded canyon, which is home to a variety of Sonoran Desert plants and animals; the trail also reveals two rock wall dams built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. 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. Activities: //