Mormon Trail is pretty short seeing as how it is a little bit over a mile long. Travel south on Mormon Trail and proceed to National Trail. From Ma Ha Tauk Trail, turn left to proceed to Crosscut Trail. Ramada reservations must be made in person at aPhoenix Parks and Recreation Department facility. Tethered to fitness apps and earbuds, some hikers detach from their surroundings in pursuit of faster times and harder, longer, more remote trails while buying into the assumption that the best trails exist in a faraway ether dripping in unattainability and mystique. Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. The rocks are extremely smooth, due to being hidden and protected from weather erosion so sliding down is as easy as sliding down any other slide in a playground. Hidden Valley Tunnel is formed naturally from boulders and is the entryway to some of the most breathtaking scenery of the trail due to unique boulder piles. All vehicles must turn into the Activity Complex and park there. 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. The Mormon Trail usually followed the north side of the North Platte River west through Nebraska and Wyoming to follow the Sweetwater River farther west. Mile 0.5: At this point, youll reach the historic stone house, which was once part of a Mormon settlement in the area. (Meet by the veranda). Access: Start at the South Mountain Environmental Education Center. There were a few bikers and other hikers. So while it may get you breathing heavy and your heart rate up, it wont take too long to do so. Proceed to Dirt Road Trail. Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. This trail also provides alternative routes through connections with the Derby Loop, Bajada Trail, and Las Lomitas Loop, while traveling upward to the roadway. All rights reserved. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. This area feels like a magical place, as most of the other trails can be too populated to see this type of wildlife freely roaming on the trail. As you have probably imagined so far, Fat Mans Pass is a very narrow path that is incorporated into the trail. Know your limits and stick to established trails to avoid getting lost or injured. As usual your guide will meet you at the trail head wearing a backpack with yoga mats attached and holding an ASU Umbrella. WebEach is handmade in Arizona and we know youll agree that these are the finest finishers award of any long-distance trail in America. To learn more please refer to our Hiking Disclaimer. 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"}); 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. Starting at the Mormon Trailhead, the trail immediately starts to ascend up boulder-like terrain. This is a busy trailhead, and all the locals know where it is. It took us almost 2 hours. Accessed by both hikingtrails andSummit Rd., the lookoutis popular with touristsand locals, who want to get an unobstructedpanoramicview of the Valley. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. 2. Drinking fountains, benches, covered ramadas are available for periodic rest stops. WebLocated south of Phoenix, AZ in a well-signed neighborhood, drive to 8610 S 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85042. Moderate 4.7 (6597) South Mountain Preserve. From here, Fat Man's Pass is about .5 miles away. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. When you come to the Hidden Valley, Mormon Trail Junction, continue to take Mormon Trail. As you continue on, there will some areas where the trail will abruptly have these large rocks that have seemingly stopped the trail dead in its tracks. But its a mistake to let these spoilers suck all the air out of the room. As always, pack in what you take out! The most direct path is to take Mormon Trail to National and then to Hidden Valley. 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. Brutal but doable climb. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Access: Start at Beverly Canyon Trailhead to connect to Beverly Canyon Trail. People may know the trail loop by its famous points of Fat Mans Pass, and the lesser known but equally beautiful Hidden Valley Tunnel. For this article, I started Hidden Valley at Fat Mans Pass. 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. Check. 2. Weathered rock slabs that hang from cliffs form odd sculptures that frame views of the Valley and surrounding mountain ranges. Access: Start at the Park Main Entrance. Mormon Trail: Also called 24the Street, since it starts or ends at the 24the street lot. Well worth your time! Access: Start at Beverly Canyon Trailhead. Marcos de Niza, Midlife Crisis, and Young Man Trails Loop, Corona de Loma Trail to Lower Corona Trail, Desert Classic, National Trail, and Hidden Valley Loop, Geronimo, National, Midlife Crisis, and Mormon Trail Loop, Holbert, National and Corona de Loma Trail, Desert Classic, Midlife Crisis, Old Man Trail, and Double Secret Loop. $25 for Each Additional Person. Hikers should come prepared with plenty of water, appropriate footwear, and other necessary gear for a safe and enjoyable hike. 2. From this road, proceed to Holbert Trailhead to continue onto Holbert Trail. Park hours: May 1 to October 31 - 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. 4. Trail was mostly up hill with an uneven, rocky path. We hiked on a Friday afternoon. Alta Trail is steep on both ends as it rises to the crest of the Ma Ha Tuak Range in South Mountain Park. Located south of Phoenix, AZ in a well-signed neighborhood, drive to 8610 S 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85042. Trial head is much closer to mountain than other locations. Dress in layers, as temperatures can vary significantly between day and night. Proceed to Telegraph Pass Trail. Might have had a few bikes out on the loop - all well mannered & no problem! We will then reconnect with the Mormon Trail to make our way back to the parking lot. Mormon Trail Map Compiled & edited by Kathy Weiser / Legends of America, updated March 2020. 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. Elevation: 1,338-1,566 feet. Limited parking (~16?) Photos (7,435) Directions. The trail is steep and rocky, with loose gravel and occasional switchbacks. Wear sun protection such as a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to prevent sunburn and heat exhaustion. The trail weaves up and around the side of the mountain with quick elevation gain and beautiful views of Phoenix. At times, there will flat rocks to hike down and/or up but the trail will be clear to see once over the rock section. Fat Mans Pass and The Tunnel were fun sites along the way. Do it Right." Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Additionally, the roadways throughout the parkare a favorite forbicyclists. 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. Make sure you have plenty of water. [CDATA[ Read more of Mare Czinar's hikes at arizonahiking.blogspot.com. From here you will proceed to hike forward toward National Trail for only about 0.1 of a mile. This trail offers a steady climb to the upper areas of South Mountain Park. You can actually walk on top of the rock and then hop down onto the trail below. Turn left (east) and continue to 24th Street. From Five Tables, proceed to Ranger Trail. Take the first left on to Phoenix South Mountain Park. Directions: Head south on 24th Street, dead ends into E Valley View Dr. (additional overflow parking on 24th St., as well as E Euclid Ave.) From the parking lot at the Mormon Trailhead, the trail immediately leads uphill. The Hidden Valley Trail via Mormom Trail offers interesting tunnels, dry waterfalls, and a This hike is located near Phoenix, AZ. The trail will start out easy and flat, then ascend up and traverse the hills behind the ranger station. We will meet at the ramada on the west end of the Mormon trailhead parking lot and then embark on the Mormon Trail. Saturday, lots of people and dogs, beautiful hike on a gorgeous afternoon. Proceed to Warpaint Loop Trail. Loved climbing the rocks. The route will lead you to a section where you are standing on a big rock looking out at the trail below you. We will then reconnect with the Mormon Trail to make our way back to the parking lot. South Mountain Preserve Park Map, Fat Mans Pass South Mountains Phoenix, AZ, Hiking Trails in Yellowstone National Park. Print/PDF map. Follow Piedras Dr. to connect to Kiwanis Trailhead. It would be terrible to let distractions asphyxiate its virtues. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Proceed to Pima Loop Trail. 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. You'll pass through a small valley area where the scenery completely changes as the trail looks more like sand. Don't worry, though, it is big enough for most adults to fit through. 5. Along the way, you will see several views of the city of Phoenix. WebFrom there, we will make our way through Hidden Valley and scramble over a variety of interesting rock formations. This is one of those hikes you want to do in the early morning. Access: Start at the 19th Ave. Trailhead to connect to Ma a Tauk Trail. DISTANCE: 3.6 mile Lollipop ELEVATION Gain: 925 feet DURATION: 2 hrs and 15 minutes or so FACILITIES: None START TIME: 4:00 PM. The Mormon Trail begins with an immediate incline and it doesnt let up until you are at the junction with National Trail. Information: For the Roadies: Silent Sundays Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway info South Mountain Park City of Phoenix City of Phoenix South Mountain Map (PDF) This is a very popular area for hiking, mountain biking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Well worth it. All of the above are regarding the Central Avenue entrance to the park. Bring at least 1-2 liters of water and be sure to be well hydrated. Access: Start at the Park Main Entrance. Photos (3,273) Directions. 3. This is an excellent trail. Adding to its appeal, this route gets the climbing out of the way at the beginning while legs are still fresh. Although few would argue against the benefits of setting and achieving goals, what constitutes a best trail is debatable. South Mountain is one of the most notable mountains in the East Valley due to its different trailheads in Ahwatukee, Chandler, and Phoenix. Epic views. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. This makes a good loop starting from the Pima Canyon Trailhead. 6. Beyond the tunnel, go right at the National Trail junction and follow the route 1.4 miles to the Mormon Loop Trail. 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. There is a lot of wildlife, and its not uncommon to see hummingbirds fluttering around. 7. Not a trail for the faint at heart. With its moderate difficulty level and easy accessibility, the Mormon Trailhead is a great option for hikers looking to experience the beauty of South Mountain. A lot of people out but we got lucky finding a spot in the parking lot. Beautiful, overcast, mid-50s. Very populated trail. Although the name implies a rock feature, stacking rocks is not only not recommended, it is illegal. by Dylan James | Feb 17, 2023 | HIKE, HIKE-Phoenix | 0 comments, Id like to give credit to alltrails for some of my imagery. Mormon Trail to Fat Man's Pass is easily one of my favorite hikes. WebMeet at the trailhead at 8:30 am. This hike, as described, is a straight shot to Fat Mans Pass, and a straight shot back. Infrastructure ImprovementProjectInformation: South Mountain Park/Preserve10919 S. Central Ave. Pima Canyon Trailhead*4800 E. Pima Canyon Rd. Print/PDF map. It looks like it could be a plastic mold of the rock tunnel, and that it cant be real. The Passage Profile refers to the downloadable trail elevation profile available for this passage. They may hike, bike, stroll on the roads without fear of traffic from public vehicles. The Mormon Trailhead is a popular hiking trail in South Mountain Park and Preserve, located just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. In order to get to this wild play area, we first need to take a couple of hiking trails. And by narrow, I really mean narrow! Turn right (West) on Chandler Boulevard and continue going West until you reach the intersection with Ray Road. Most people take the Mormon Trail to the National Trail and the national trail to either end of Hidden Valley. Do it Right." Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. Beautiful trail. 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. WebMormon Trailhead 8610 S. 24th St. Hidden Valley Trail Access: Start at Mormon Trailhead to connect to Mormon Trail. 2. No restrooms. Once you have reached the ending trail marker for Mormon Trail youll see two trail markers. 3. We will go at a relatively fast pace of around a 20 min/mile for the group. 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. The trail begins at the Mormon Trailhead and immediately begins to ascend up the mountain. The buckles are only available to finishers who complete the survey and are made available at no cost thanks to our friends at 3. Turn left on Baseline, left again onto 24th st., and follow the curve through the neighborhood until you reach the parking lot at 8610 S. 24th St., Phoenix, AZ 85042. This is a great place to take a break and enjoy the scenery. Passage Map refers to the downloadable map available for this passage. Chandler Blvd. Absolutely beautiful. This trail wastes very little time, climbing very quickly for a good 45 minutes, then dropping down into a valley on top of the mountain where we walk 15 more minutes to a tunnel of rocks where we walk through to the real Hidden Valley. TBD S Mormon Flat Rd, Golden Valley, AZ 86413 | MLS# 999759 | Redfin HOT HOME Street View See all 16 photos TBD S Mormon Flat Rd, Golden Valley, AZ 86413 $20,000 Est. Continue right to Pima Wash Trail. 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. Flowers were in bloom and looking over Phoenix, Tempe, and Masa was awesome. At the west end of Hidden Valley there is a 'Fat Man's Pass' and naturally smooth rock 'slide.' 1. Continue on Stephen Mather Dr. and at the first four-way intersection, take a left. When approached from a see-the-forest perspective, even oft-maligned, old standard trails can qualify as top destinations. This is one of those trails I recommend a few hours after a rain - it creates more friction on an otherwise dusty, dry trail - it provides a bit more solitude as fewer folks are put - the olfactory stimulation from the creosote. Though parking was crowded, it wasnt as bad as we expected. Especially for the hike back down. So while it may get you breathing heavy and your heart rate up, it wont take too long to do so. WebFeaturing city views, desert life and distinct rock formations, South Mountains Hidden Valley Trail stands out among the areas best loops. 4. 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. Some folks use the larger rock on the right side of the pass as a rock slide, which you can do too! After getting through Fat Mans Pass, you then will be walking in a sandy wash area. Enjoy this 4.7-mile loop trail near Phoenix, Arizona. About halfway up the trail, hikers will reach a scenic overlook that provides a great spot to rest and take in the views. We will go at a relatively fast pace of around a 20 min/mile for the group. We will then reconnect with the Mormon Trail to make our way back to the parking lot. Once through the pass, you'll be able to enjoy some shade and a quiet rest spot. Tealights will guide you, but a flashlight with a red setting is recommended. It would be embarrassing to call for help because you were stuck at Fat Mans Pass. //]]> Leave no trace by packing out all of your trash and minimizing your impact on the environment. 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. March 7, 2023 at 5:45pm to March 7, 2023 at 8:30pm. 5. Then we practice one hour of Yoga. Mormon Trail-Hidden Valley Loop Length: 6.2 miles. Once youve made it through Fat Mans pass (hopefully with pictures as proof), you can turn around and trace your steps back to the trailhead. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 34 min to complete. Access: Start at Pima Canyon Trailhead. Join us for one of my favorite hikes at South Mountain. Alta Trail is fairly steep heading up from either side. 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. Want to report conditions for this trail? WebMormon Pioneer National Historic Trail National Park Service 324 South State Street, Suite 200 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 801-741-1012. 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. For the most part, this path is in a wash, which makes it clear and easy to navigate. Continue right onto Pima Wash Trail. Thought it was a scenic and the loop was perfect for timing. Steep but decent footing. Mile 0.0: The trailhead for the Mormon Trail is located at the end of 24th Street in Phoenix. Fun all day long. Mormon Trail is pretty short seeing as how it is a little bit over a mile long. There is a spot within Phoenixs South Mountain where a natural and enchanting playground exists. Just watch out. Its located on the eastern slope of the mountain and its appeal is its downhill flow and the vast number of features to play around on. The climb up was challenging. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 34 min to complete. To get to the Mormon Trailhead, take exit 155 for Baseline Rd. * Please remember to hike at your own risk. spots so either be early or nearby streets. Beverly Canyon Trail will have some short rocky and steep areas that cross the Pima Canyon area on the way to meeting the Desert Classic Trail on the south side of South Mountain. Turn left and head a hundred yards downhill to compare your gut against the two boulders. I am in moderate shape. We did not do the loop. Bring at least 1-2 liters of water and be sure to be well hydrated. Wish we would have gotten here earlier so we could do the whole trail before sunset. Challenging, must have some mountain biking experience, take plenty of water. During the Summer, starting before 7AM is recommended to avoid the sweltering heat. 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) Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Take another left onto Piedras Dr. This trail is great for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. The list below contains all of the passages in order from south to north. These rocks are very slippery and smooth so walking down them can be unstable. Activities: // Leave no by. 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