DEEM HILLS

City of Phoenix Parks & Recreation

View from the Ridgeline Trail

Not too long ago, only an informal quagmire of footpaths provided access to this set of low-slung hills in northwest Phoenix. This was great for the locals who knew the area, but not so much for those of us who like to know where we're going.  In 2010, the City of Phoenix gave the Deem Hills trails a major facelift adding excellent signage, trailhead facilities and onsite/online maps, thus  re-DEEMing (sorry, couldn't resist) this city park from its pit of neglect. Now a primo hiking destination, trekkers can choose from several routes ranging in difficulty from very easy to mildly strenuous.  The 5.9-mile long Circumference Trail serves as a main artery route, acting as a gateway to several paths that crawl up and around the hills.  In my opinion, the most interesting routes in the park are the Ridgeline and Basalt Trails.  Both paths involve some climbing, but it's so gradual, you'll hardly break a sweat.  On the way up, views of north Phoenix mountains, CAP canal and surrounding suburbs stand out from  the trailside inky-black basalt boulders and rock slides.  Although the din of I-17 is never quite out of earshot, this close-to-town hiking spot makes for an easy way to get out for a quick jaunt in the desert.

Ridgeline Trail

LENGTH: 14.29 miles of trails (one way)

Circumference Trail: 5.9-mile loop

Palisade Trail/WaterTank Road: 1.53 miles

Basalt Trail: 0.64 mile

Ridgeline Trail: 1.45 miles

CAP Road: 1.61 miles

Various Access Trails: 2.5 miles

Water Tank Road: 0.33 mile

RATING:  easy-moderate

ELEVATION: 1,500' at trailhead to 2,098' top of Ridgeline Trail

Basalt Boulders on the Basalt Trail

KID FRIENDLY: yes

DOGS: leashed dogs are allowed.  Handlers must immediately pick up poo and pack it out
BEST SEASON: October -April

GETTING THERE:

EAST (39th Ave. ) TRAILHEAD: From Phoenix, go north on I-17 to exit 218 for Happy Valley Road.  Pass through the traffic circle, heading west (left) on Happy Valley Road and continue 1 mile to 35^th Avenue. Turn north (right) and follow 35^th Ave. 1.4 miles to Pinnacle Vista Road. (NOTE: 35^th Ave.  swerves and turns into 33^rd Ave).   Turn west (left) and follow Pinnacle Vista 0.7 mile to where it dead-ends and veers right at 39^th Ave.  The trailhead is roughly 0.1 mile up 39^th Ave. on the left.
FACILITIES: map sign, shaded seating area, drinking fountain

WEST (51^st Ave) TRAILHEAD:  Deem Hills Park
  at 51st Avenue and Deem Hills Parkway . From I-17, follow Happy Valley Road west to 51^st Ave. Turn north (right) and continue on 51^st Ave (it will turn into Deem Hills Pkwy) to the trailhead on the right.

FACILITIES: Restrooms and water available.

INFO: City of Phoenix Parks & Recreation

http://phoenix.gov/recreation/rec/parks/preserves/locations/deemhills/map/index.html

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