Hau’pal Loop

HAU 'PAL LOOP

Sierra Estrella Mountains peek over Ma Ha Tauk range

Situated in the northwest sector of South Mountain Park in Phoenix, the Hau’pal trail fixes a couple of things.

Camelback Mountain has some competition in the Hau'pal Trail

First, the 3.2-mile loop which debuted in 2020 replaces a quagmire of confusing, terrain-damaging park (remember the T-Bone Trail ?) and sloppy user-created paths.  Newly aligned, signed and cleaned up, the route is now a safer, more sustainable trek.

Difficult-rated Hau'pal trail is well signed

Second, it provides swift attitude adjustment for anybody who thinks a short loop hike located a mile south of downtown Phoenix can’t deliver a heart-pumping-- and sort of scary--hike.

Piestewa Peak rises above downtown Phoenix

The route is steep, edgy and rocky

The 3.2-mile loop, which is named for the O’odham word for red-tailed hawk, progresses in three distinct episodes.  Heading counterclockwise from the trailhead (go right), the hike begins with an immediate uphill haul that gets gradually steeper as the dirt single track gains over 1000 feet twisting over clipped shelves and stony folds in the far edge of the park’s Ma Ha Tauk Range. 

Mountain & urban views on Hau'pal trail

Act two involves a breath-taking walk over a sheer ridgeline with vistas that span the entire Valley and reach into the mountain peaks of the Tonto National Forest and farmlands south of Ahwatukee. 

First leg of the hike gains elevation gradually

Narrow, steep and, in places, very close to sheer drop offs, the ridge leg of the hike is not for acrophobics. 

The trail replaced old and unauthorized paths

The final segment is preceded by a short scramble through a rock chute before the trail calms down and swings downhill on gully-riddled foothills with scenic lookout points that frame views of city grids, urban landmarks and the distinctive humps of Camelback Mountain—another short, steep hike destination that might lose its “ultimate city hike” panache once Hau’pal catches on.

Map at the trailhead shows the loop layout

LENGTH: 3.2-mile loop

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION:  1,320 – 2,359 feet

GETTING THERE:

Form Phoenix, travel south on 7th Avenue to Baseline Road.  Turn right (west) and continue on Baseline to 19th Ave. Turn left (south) and follow 19th Ave to the trailhead.  No facilities.

INFO:

https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south-mountain

 

A hike among picnic tables and dance floors

T-BONE-MAX DELTA-CROSSCUT-MA HA TAUK LOOP

South Mountain Park, Phoenix

NOTE: as of 2020, these trails have been rerouteded and/or incorporated into the Hau'pal and Ma Ha Tauk Perimeter trails. See park website for updates. 

What to do?  It was Christmas morning and I found myself without a hiking partner---they were all sleeping in, wrestling wrapping paper or prepping for guests. Given that I was not about to waste a day off by not going for a hike, I decided to take a traipse on a heavily used trail located in a very busy part of South Mountain Park (SoMo).  That way, if I became incapacitated, someone would see me---or the brand new fluorescent green shirt from Wal-Mart that Santa brought me.  The southernmost edge of suburban Phoenix dead-ends at the park boundary, and T-Bone Trail flanks a subdivision for most of its 1-mile length.  It then connects with Max Delta Trail, which weaves among picnic ramadas, outdoor dance floors and paved roads.  In terms of scenic quality when compared to other SoMo routes, this trail is more gristle than T-bone, but for a quick solo hike or leg stretch while picnicking, it makes for a satisfying journey.

entrance to a dance floor

HIKE DIRECTIONS:

The start of the T-Bone trail is not signed.  It’s located at the far east side of the parking lot at the break in the curb next to a no parking sign. From here, hike 1 mile east on T-Bone Trail to the Max Delta junction.  Turn right (south--toward the road) and go 0.25 mile to the Crosscut Trail junction.  Turn left and follow Crosscut 0.5 mile to Ma-Ha-Tauk Trail, turn right and hike 1 mile back to the trailhead.

LENGTH: 2.75-mile loop

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION:  1300' - 1770'

PARK HOURS: 5 a.m. - 7 a.m.

FACILITIES: restrooms at the big picnic ramada

INFO:  City of Phoenix Parks & Recreation, 602-262-7393

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

MAP:  http://phoenix.gov/webcms/groups/internet/@inter/@rec/@parks/@parks/@nrd/documents/web_content/062880.pdf

GETTING THERE:

Form Phoenix, travel south on 7th Ave to Baseline.  Turn right (west) and continue on Baseline to 19th Ave. Turn left (south) and follow 19th Ave to the end where there's a small parking lot and trailhead sign.  The hike begins at the east end of the parking area (not at the Ma-Ha-Tauk sign) where a dip in the curb provides access. There's no "T-Bone" sign here, but you'll begin to see them in about 0.2 mile. MORE PHOTOS:

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