South Mountain Park Trail Reviews
9904 S. 48th Street
Phoenix Arizona 85044
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South Mountain Park Trail Reviews
South Mountain Park in Phoenix, Arizona is the largest municipal park in the world. Located in the south end of the valley, it is one of the city's favorite recreational areas. At over 16,000 acres, it boasts 51 miles of primary trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking for all ability levels. The park/preserve's main entrance is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Hours vary at other trailhead locations; check the hiking map for specific hours. Many of the trails below can be combined for making a loop or longer rides.
Alta Trail
Bajada Trail
Beverly Canyon Trail
Corona Loma Trail
Yet, another ride for the full suspension riders. This trail is steep with high cliffs over the side of the trail. Big dropoffs, loose rocks, and deep ruts will give you a challenge down this one. I don't recommend trying to ride up it. There is some very difficult climbing before the downhill starts.
Directions:
This one is not on the map, but it is there. You need to get to Buena Vista parking lot on top of South Mountain. Either by riding up Mormon-National (see above for description) or shuttle to the top. Once at the parking lot, head directly under the big sign at the west end of the parking lot. The sign is actually across the street from the parking lot. Do not follow the National trail sign, go under the sign. Follow the trail down and then back up out of the valley it dropped down into. Then follow the trail down to Desert Classic. If you shuttle, your friend should pick you up at the Pima Canyon parking lot. You will be taking Desert Classic (see above for description) back to the parking lot once your at the bottom.
Rating:
Skill: Insane
Effort: Moderate-Hard
Type: Down Only
Season: Fall, Winter, Spring
Mileage: 4
Rating: 4 of 5
Desert Classic Trail
A fun 22 mile out and back trail on the south side of South Mountain. This fast and rolling singletrack is for any skill of rider. The easy to modrate riding is mostly singletrack with rocky sections, short climbs and sand washes. On your way out, South Mountain will be on your right while the Chandler suburbs will be to your left. There are many other trails branching off to get sidetracked, but the trail is fairly well marked with posts. This trail is great for seeing the Sonoran desert while just spinning along. This can be a very crowded trail during good weather, so watch out for other trail users.
Directions:
Park at the Pima Canyon parking lot on 48th Street and Guadalupe. The trail head is in the southwest (left) end of the parking lot behind a big ramada.
Rating:
Skill: Beginner
Effort: Moderate
Type: Out and Back
Season: Fall, Winter, Spring
Mileage: 22
Rating: 4 of 5
Geronimo Trail
Holbert Trail
Dawn your crash pads and full boinger for this one. This one is usually only shuttled, unless you want to hike back up the mountain 2 miles. Probably the most technical trail on South Mountain, Chris broke his hand and another friend broke an arm on this one. Get ready for huge drop offs, loose rocks and switchbacks with an abyss awaiting your mistakes. As always on South Mountain, watch out for hikers!
Directions:
Central to Dobbins lookout and park. The trailhead is off to the northeast of the parking lot, towards the restrooms. Remember to park a car at the bottom east of Central at the end of Mineral Rd near the water tank. The trail will dump you out on Mineral road.
Rating:
Skill: Insane
Effort: Moderate
Type: Shuttle
Season: Fall, Winter, Spring
Mileage: 2.5
Rating: 5 of 5
Javalina Canyon Trail
Great downhill ride! Almost all downhill. There are a couple of climbs to get back to the Pima Canyon Parking lot. I usually take the fire road up to the top of the trailhead and ride down from there.
Kiwanis Trail
Loop 1
Loop 2
Mormon/National Trails
South Mountain Park in Phoenix, Arizona is the largest municipal park in the world. Located in the south end of the valley, it is one of the city's favorite recreational areas. Many of the trails below can be combined for making a loop or longer rides.
Mormon/National trail is one of my favorite trails in the valley. If your looking for a gnarly downhill or tough climb, this is a great, but difficult trail. There are some big drop offs, loose rock and very fast sections. To Buena Vista parking lot at top is about 8 miles round trip. You could extend it to 28 miles, taking National to the end and back, if you are in great shape. The climb is steep and technical. Freeriders can shuttle, but it takes about an hour driving to return to the top. Other great trails like this at South Mountain are Corona Loma and Holbert trails. Watch out for rattlesnakes and catci. If you love technical riding, you can't miss this one. If you want to explore, take a little detour at the Hidden Valley/Fatman's Pass trail sign. It is beautiful back there. The picture to the left was taken there.
Directions:
Park at the Pima Canyon parking lot on 48th Street and Guadalupe. Head west out of parking lot on fire road to the end, about 1.3 miles. At the end of the fire road, follow singletrack to Mormon trail signs and follow from there up and up. Do not follow Mormon trail as it shows on the map where it goes back down the mountain to 24th street. You want to turn south and connect with National trail.
Rating:
Skill: Advanced
Effort: Hard
Type: Out and Back
Season: Fall, Winter, Spring
Mileage: 28.6
Rating: 5 of 5
National Trail 2 Telegraph Pass, down 2 Desert Classic back 2 parking on 48th Street
I used 2 do this trail N the 1980's on 15 & 18 speeds but we didnt ever use the big gear up fronnt we would take the big front 44 tooth off and ride up with a 24 & 34 up front and the rear wheel off a Schwinn Sierra that had a 34 tooth as LOW,,,,then a guy at Tempe Bike made 20 tooth 4 the front and man could we climb!! anyhowi went out Nov 1st 2001 on my full suspension Schwinn Carbon Fiber after a LONG absense from "THE MOUNTAIN" i started up National to the parking lot atop then down 2 "Telegraph Pass",,,now i remember Y i rarely come up here "I cant concentrate",,,Good Golly Miss Molly" SHORT SHORTS all over the place "PERFECT" 4 all U single guys,,,,,WOW!! it waZ "CROWDED" on Thursday???? wow lots of hikers,,,but after i got on Telegraph" NO ONE around then down 2 Desert Classic,,,i dig this trail we {ORBA Off-Road Bicyclist Of Arizona} in co-operation with South Mountain Park built and connected all the dots 2 put this trail in and we put on the FIRST Desert Classic..and it is still a BLAST 2 rip it up on this trail i think it waZ 1989 or 88 when we did the Classic and this LOOP is 2 us ole guys called "LEGEND CITY SOUTH" anyway time flys and so should i 2morrow i ride our ole White Tanks Course.
Rating:
Skill: Advanced
Effort: Hard
Type: Singletrack
Season: Fall, Winter, Spring
Mileage: 18
Rating: 5 of 5
Ranger Trail
Telegraph Pass Trail
Another trail for you "freerider" full suspension bikers. It's a short 1.5 mile trail from top to bottom strewn with big dropoffs, loose rocks and hairpin turns. Very fun! Once you get to the bottom it is 8 miles to the Pima Canyon parking lot on Desert Classic trail (see description above). This trail is a little tough to get to. You can park at Dobbins lookout and ride the paved road down to it and then hike back up the trail and ride back up to your car. You can have a buddy drop you off at the top and pick you up on Desert Foothills Parkway. Although, it is a long drive around the mountain. You could ride up Mormon-National to the trail and then take Desert Classic back, which is about a 17 mile round trip.
Directions:
It depends on what route you want to take to get there.
Rating:
Skill: Expert
Effort: Moderate-Hard
Type: Down Only
Season: Fall, Winter, Spring
Mileage: 1.5
Rating: 4 of 5
