Phoenix Mountains Park Trail Reviews
Phoenix Mountains Park
Surrounding the base of 2,608-foot Piestewa Peak, the Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area and Dreamy Draw Recreation Area are gateways into diverse desert that offers everything from fantastic views to secluded valleys. You don't have to fight crowds on the Piestewa Peak Summit Trail to enjoy the area -- the area boasts dozens of miles of trails to enjoy the glory of the Sonoran Desert in relative solitude. An assortment of picnic area nestled in the hills offer a picturesque spot for gathering. Phoenix Mountains Park is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Trail 100
This is a fun singletrack ride in the middle of Phoenix located in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. This is a pretty easy to moderate trail consisting of rocky, rolling singletrack with some steep climbs. A good 21 mile out and back ride from the Tatum and Tomahawk parking lot. Most of the trail is clearly marked with posts with some tunnels that go under the freeway. There are plenty of other trails that branch off to explore. One other excellent, but technical trail is Perl Charles Trail (see description below). The area is beautiful and you will forget you are in the middle of the city, especially if you don't bring enough water when it is hot out.
Directions:
Several options for parking here. The parking lot on Tatum and Tomahawk is where the trail starts and gives you the full length of the trail, although there is only about 5 parking spots. This is where I usually park unless it is crowded, then I park on the corner of Shea and Tatum and ride up the road to the trailhead. Another option is to park at the Dreamy Draw Recreation Center where there is an abundance of parking. Exit Northern from the Squaw Peak Freeway (51) and follow the signs. Head out from the north side of the parking lot on the trail and go through the tunnel under the freeway. Dreamy Draw is almost in the middle so you'll be missing about 4 miles of the trail to the east that you could have rode if you parked at the Tatum and Tomahawk parking lot. Thirdly, there is parking at Mountain View Park on 7th Avenue just north of Dunlap. From here you can ride the whole trail to Tatum and back. Lastly, there is parking lot at the end of 40th street that was recently paved. This is accessed from Shea and 40th street and heading south on 40th street.
Rating:
Skill: Beginner
Effort: Easy-Moderate
Type: Out and Back
Season: Fall, Winter, Spring
Mileage: 21
Rating: 3 of 5
Perl Charles Memorial Trail #1A
This is a technical singletrack loop with some very steep up and down sections located in the Phoenix Mountain Preserves. This trail is for advanced riders who like to bleed and leave their skin on rocks once in a while. It can be incorporated into your Trail 100 ride (see above description) or done as a 4.8 mile loop from the Dreamy Draw Recreation Center. As always with rides in the Phoenix area, the views are great of the Sonoran Desert. You will forget you are in the middle of the sprawling metropolis of Phoenix when you are out there.
Directions:
Park at the Dreamy Draw Recreation Center. To get there, take the Northern exit from the Squaw Peak Freeway (51) and follow the signs. Once geared up, head past the ramadas located to the southeast and get on the sidewalk for a brief moment. You should see a singletrack to your left, follow to the 1A sign and shred.
Rating:
Skill: Advanced
Effort: Moderate
Type: Loop
Season: Fall, Winter, Spring
Mileage: 4.8
Rating: 3 of 5
