Hiking South Mountain (Phoenix, Page: houses, live in, club)

[CheckM8]

I live in the Laveen area, and want to start hiking South Mountain. Other than the 19th Ave access, is there any other trailhead or access points to the trails further west of 19th Ave? I have not hiked the entire area starting at 19th Ave and wanted to know how far the trail goes or connects elsewhere.

[lola8822]

Originally Posted by CheckM8

I live in the Laveen area, and want to start hiking South Mountain. Other than the 19th Ave access, is there any other trailhead or access points to the trails further west of 19th Ave? I have not hiked the entire area starting at 19th Ave and wanted to know how far the trail goes or connects elsewhere.

South Mountain is an awesome hike regardless of the trail taken....definitely one of my favorite places to hike in the valley.

The national trail goes all the way through.....this might help...


SOUTH MOUNTAIN AREA TRAIL GUIDE

[CheckM8]

Have you ever started at the 19thAve trailhead? I have been looking for information on it via the web, but haven't found much. The reason I ask is that I want to take my six year old daughter with me and don't it to be a real strenuous hike for her.

[AZ Tracy]

Originally Posted by CheckM8

Have you ever started at the 19thAve trailhead? I have been looking for information on it via the web, but haven't found much. The reason I ask is that I want to take my six year old daughter with me and don't it to be a real strenuous hike for her.

It's been awhile, but I seem to recall it was fairly steep at first, the leveled out. Most kids are like mountain goats - she should be fine.

[lola8822]

Originally Posted by CheckM8

Have you ever started at the 19thAve trailhead? I have been looking for information on it via the web, but haven't found much. The reason I ask is that I want to take my six year old daughter with me and don't it to be a real strenuous hike for her.

I haven't taken that trail from 19th.....sorry I can't be of much help there. But if you scroll down on the link I posted it describes each trail and even rates them as far as their dificulty. It looks like the National trail is moderate to dificult so i'm not sure about that one......The Beverly Canyon trail is fun for a shorter hike....or even the Javelina Canyon Trail.

[Lovegun]

Try Mormon Trail - its a not to easy not to hard kind of trail

[CheckM8]

I just wish I could find better info. I went to the park the other day and the guy handing out maps didn't know of it at all. I see some trails going up there from 35th or 43rd, but they could just be wildcat trails. I guess I will try to just hike it and take it from there.

I did see that there were some pretty easy trails on the Awatukee side, but that is too far to drive for that.

[CheckM8]

I went to the South Mountain Education Center on Friday and found that they sell topographical maps that are much better than what can be found on the website. It is a pretty nice little building with a lot of educational things in it and even a reading room with books for kids. Only draw back is that is open Fri and Sat only.

The ranger said that that they are building some access points at 35th Ave and at 43rd and Estrella on the western side, and I went over there to check out but couldn't locate either. The 35th Ave one dead ends at some houses, no parking area or anything. The Estrella one, goes down a partial paved/gravel road, but you can see where they are building a permanent sign for trailhead marker. The ranger told me there was parking, but I didn't see it. Luckily, they had the San Juan road open Saturday, so I drove all the way back in there and saw where the trail does go. It is only about a 1/4 mile hike to the San Juan lookout from the Estrella access point, and I saw where they had the trailhead marked, but it was obscured because they have a bunch of piles of either gravel or dirt on the lot, so you really have to just park on the dirt road for now. I saw some cars there where people were hiking in from there.

If you have not taken the San Juan rd, I would totally recommend that you do so because it is probably the closest place to the city where you can feel that you are alone. There was hardly anyone out there except for a few hikers and cyclists. I can only imagine how sparse the usage is like on the days when the road is closed for cars.

****If you decide to hike the National Trail starting in Awatukee side of South Mountain, it will end over at the San Juan lookout, however since that road is closed 28 out of 30 days of the year, the rangers won't pick you up, so you will have to hike down to the Estrella Trailhead.

[CheckM8]

I think I finally found the name of the 19th Ave trail, it is part of the Mahautak Trail.

[Lovehound]

CheckM8, I figured you should have Googled your question so I did it for you, and I think I've found a good site to get your information:

AZHC Trailblazers Hiking Club Page - Reports

Just load the page and then use your browser to find "South Mountain." I suggest you use the trail guide posted earlier in the topic, identify which trail you want, then search AZ Hikers and see if they have listed that trail. Here's an example picked at random: Hidden Valley. Just looking at the page (and pictures) I'm sure sorry I'm in Los Angeles and can't take the hike any time soon.

Also, you should contact your local chapter of the Sierra Club. I presume they conduct hikes the same as they do in Los Angeles, and I've found many great hikes here by going along on the SC hikes.

Well I'm going to go back and read more of the AZ Hikes site. It's starting to tip my scale towards relocating to Phoenix!