The easy way up Union Peak

GREAT HORNED OWL-UNION PEAK LOOP

Phoenix Sonoran Preserve

Ahh. There's nothing quite like the feel of a brand new hiking trail-- especially when it leads to a mountain top. 

Up until last month, I had never heard of Union Peak--not to be confused with Mount Union (see my other blog entry) near Prescott.  Who knew? It's hiding in plain sight off  I-17 north of the Jomax exit in the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve and now (woot, woot), there's easy access  to its summit.  Getting to the peak involves connecting several trails and although there are many options, the most direct route is described here.

Be warned, though, that some of the trails do not have signs yet , so it's prudent to download the preserve map (link below) before heading out.  On the way to the peak, hikers are treated to mellow passages studded with cholla and desert shrubs, dips into rugged arroyos and climbs to high points with gorgeous views.  The final 0.45 uphill leg to the peak has a couple of tricky/steep spots, but it’s otherwise just a moderate slog.  The summit is comprised of three stoney humps linked by a footpath. While up there, be sure to locate the hiker log (a small glass jar with pad & pencil) to document your visit. 

Looking northeast from the summit of Union Peak

HIKE DIRECTIONS:

From the trailhead, begin on Hawk's Nest (H) Trail and hike to the turn off for Desert Tortoise Trail (DT) at the 0.25-mile post.  Turn right (southeast) and follow DT 1.12 mile to Valle Verde Trail (V).  Turn right (south) and continue on V 0.6 mile to Great Horned Owl Trail (GO).  This is the loop portion of the hike, so you can go either right or left.  However, if you plan to hike up Union Peak, go left to get there quicker.  Once done with the loop,  retrace your steps back to the trailhead.

LENGTH: 7.45 miles roundtrip

RATING: easy-moderate

ELEVATION:  1,600' – 2,200'

DOGS: dogs must be on leash and handlers must pack out poo

KID FRIENDLY: yes
BEST SEASON:  October -April

FACILITIES: no restroom or water, plenty of parking, trail map sign, and there’s a special lot for horse trailers

HOURS: 6 a.m to 7 p.m.

GETTING THERE:

Desert Vista Trailhead:

From Phoenix, go north on I-17 to Jomax exit.  Go 0.2 mile on Jomax to Norterra Parkway, turn left (north) and continue 1.2 miles to North Valley Parkway.  Turn right (south) and go 0.2 miles to Copperhead Trail.  Turn left and go just a few yards  to Melvern Trail.  Turn left on Melvern and go 0.1 mile  to Desert Vista Trail on the right .  Follow Desert Vista through a gate that leads to the trailhead..

INFO: City of Phoenix, Phoenix Sonoran Preserve

 http://phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/sonoran/index.html

For general information: 602 262-7901


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DIXIE MOUNTAIN LOOP

DIXIE MOUNTAIN LOOP TRAIL

Phoenix Sonoran Preserve

Next time you’re considering  giving up your right to vote—hike this trail first. Like many people these days, you’re probably feeling over taxed, over worked (or under employed) and powerless to intervene with anything governmental.  Folks, I submit the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve---a  recreational oasis that WE THE VOTERS decided was worth saving from development.  In 1998, voters approved the Growing Smarter Fund to conserve tracks of our beautiful Upper Sonoran desert.  So far, the city has purchased 7,000 of a proposed 20,000 acres for this north Phoenix preserve.  With obesity on the rise, strapped budgets and increasing healthcare costs, it's good to live in Phoenix---we have the largest municipal park system in the nation  with hundreds of miles of free hiking/biking trails to help us save money and stay healthy. Wherever you live in the Valley, you're probably not far from a hiking trail.  So, it's not necessary to spend big bucks on video-driven exercise toys or gym memberships to stay/get in shape—just lace up your boots and hit the trail.

Cholla cactuses along Dixie Loop

View from Western Vista summit

Located just a few clicks east of I-17 on the fringes of a residential area, this pristine island of desert features panoramic views of the entire Valley.  You'll see the  Hieroglyphic Mountains to the west, Cave Creek and New River  Mountains to the north, and Camelback and Piestewa Peaks to the south.  Luminescent  “jumping” cholla, sweet-smelling creosote and arroyas choaked with acid-green Palo verde trees decorate  the paths, providing ample nesting places for the resident Gila woodpeckers, Gambel quails, lizards and red-tail hawks.

So before you join the ranks of the “poo-pooing-perceived-powerless”, get off the couch, hit the trail and prepare to be awestruck. Who knows, you (or somebody you know) may also be inspired to become a registered voter.

LENGTHS:

Dixie Mountain Loop: 4.62 miles, including the Hawks Nest access trail.  OR 5.74 miles including both optional summit spurs.

Hawks Nest: 0.40 mile one way

Dixie Mountain Summit: 0.22 mile one way

Western Vista: 0.34 mile one way

RATING: easy-moderate

ELEVATION: 1,600' – 2,251'. Most of the loop trail hugs the 1,700' level. Western Vista spur: 2075', Dixie Mountain Summit: 2,251'

DOGS: dogs must be on leash and handlers must pack out poo

KID FRIENDLY: yes
BEST SEASON: October -April

FACILITIES: no restroom or water. plenty of parking, trail map sign, and there’s a special lot for horse trailers

HOURS: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

GETTING THERE:

Desert Vista Trailhead:

From Phoenix, go north on I-17 to Jomax exit.  Go 0.2 mile on Jomax to Norterra Parkway, turn left (north) and continue 1.2 miles to North Valley Parkway.  Turn right (south) and go 0.2 miles to Copperhead Trail.  Turn left and go just a few yards  to Melvern Trail.  Turn left on Melvern and go 0.1 mile  to Desert Vista Trail on the right .  Follow Desert Vista through a gate that leads to the trailhead..

INFO: City of Phoenix, Phoenix Sonoran Preserve

http://phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/sonoran/index.html

For general information: 602 262-7901

REGISTER TO VOTE: Maricopa County Elections Department, 602-506-1511.

http://phoenix.gov/election/elect5.html

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