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Beginner Trail
If you have never experienced walking on mountain trails, and if you need to build up your endurance as a true beginner, this hike is for you. But don’t let the short distance fool you. It is an uphill climb for the entire .2 miles, and your return trip brings you back to the trail head. There are a few benches along this path with scenic overlooks that can be used for a brief rest if necessary, or it can be used as a nice location to enjoy the setting sun over the mountains to the west.

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Intermediate - Less Difficult Trail
If you started your hike from the parking lot at the Sonoran Mtn. Ranch Park, you have made this hike a 2 mile loop. It is posted as an intermediate trail because of the incline to this hike. It might appear to be a short hike, but it will get your heart pumping if you walk it hard and fast. This route is labeled as less difficult because the incline is not as steep compared to the more difficult route. Plus, once you reach the upper loop intersection, you are given some reprieve from your uphill climb and begin to traverse the mountain side for the next ¼ mile.

You begin your hike by walking approximately .3 miles through a drainage corridor adjacent to a residential area. However, you will begin a steep ascent with several switch backs which will bring you to a plateau at about the .6 mile mark. You will then traverse the side of the mountain on what is called the “upper loop” and at the .75 mile mark you will begin the ascent to the mountain summit which is essentially at the one mile mark. Once you reach the top of the mountain, you will experience a 360 degree view that is quite spectacular. In the distance to the east you can see as far as the Four Peaks Mtn. range. You have views of the Phoenix skyline, exceptional views of Sunrise and West Wing Mountains, and if the water level is up, you can even see glimpses of Lake Pleasant over the Waddell Dam to the north. This view also captures the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal system that delivers water from the Colorado Mountains to as far south as Tucson.

Once you’ve enjoyed the view you will begin your descent through some steeper and rocky areas. So take your time, yield to uphill hikers, and enjoy the rest of your hike because you’ve completed the most difficult part of the hike. If you want to add some mileage to your hike, you can make another trip around the upper loop trail which will increase .75 miles to your hike. There are a couple other trails that can be explored.  One that leads into the neighborhood adding .24 miles (one way) and another path that goes over the mountain saddle to the south which will be a future trail extension as more open space is dedicated. For now, that path comes to an end at .18 miles.

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Intermediate - More Difficult Trail
If you started your hike from the parking lot at the Sonoran Mtn. Ranch Park, you have made this hike a 2 mile loop. It is posted as an intermediate trail because there is a lot of incline to this hike. It might appear to be a short distance, but it will get your heart pumping if you really hike it hard and fast. This route is labeled as more difficult because the incline is steep and difficult for ½ miles to the mountain summit. This route offers no reprieve from an incline between the .5 and 1 mile distance markers. So strap on those hiking shoes and get ready to increase that heart rate.

You begin your hike by walking approximately .3 miles through a drainage corridor adjacent to a residential area. However, you will begin a steep ascent with several switch backs which will bring you to a plateau at about the .6 mile mark. Once you reach that elevation, you will come across a loop intersection – the easier way is to continue straight. But you’ve decided to challenge yourself so you continue your ascent for another ½ mile up several switch backs and some rocky terrain. You will be rewarded with this effort when you reach the mountain summit because you will experience a 360 degree view that is quite spectacular. In the distance to the east you can see as far as the Four Peaks Mtn. range. You have views of the Phoenix skyline, exceptional views of Sunrise and West Wing Mountains, and if the water level is up, you can even see glimpses of Lake Pleasant over the Waddell Dam to the north. This view also captures the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal system that delivers water from the Colorado Mountains to as far south as Tucson.

Once you’ve enjoyed the view you will begin your descent and the remainder of the hike is a breeze.  However, if you’re feeling good about yourself, you can add some distance to this hike and more elevation by walking the “upper loop” which will add another .75 miles to your hike. There are a couple other trails that can be explored.  One that leads into the neighborhood adding .24 miles (one way) and another path that goes over the mountain saddle to the south which will be a future trail extension as more open space is dedicated. For now, that path comes to an end at .18 miles. Enjoy the hike. Be respectful of others whether it is other hikers or adjacent property owners. And drink plenty of water before, during and after your hike, especially during the warmer and drier months.

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