CORONA DE LOMA TRAIL

CORONA DE LOMA TRAIL

South Mountain Park, Phoenix

It was from the summit of Quartz Peak in the Sierra Estrellas where I acquired a deep, visual understanding of the three-mountain-range structure of South Mountain Park (SoMo).  From the top of that isolated peak, the trio of parallel ranges running east-west at the southern fringe of downtown Phoenix, rolled out below, and suddenly, it all made sense.  The layout of the park, roads, trailheads, the cosmic fugue---everything. But then again, put me on any mountain summit, and clarity ensues.

In order, from north to south, the ranges are (with sample trails) Ma-Ha-Tauk (Alta Trail), Gila (Holbert, National Trail) and Guadalupe (Desert Classic).  That day on Quartz Peak, I realized that although I was very familiar with the trails on Gila and Ma-Ha-Tauk; I still had a lot to learn about the other side of the mountain.  With that goal in mind, I set off for Corona de Loma Trail.

Save for a couple of mildly confusing junctions, this trail on the back (Ahwatukee) side of  SoMo is a great way to climb to a summit ridge with much less traffic than on other similar treks in the park like Kiwanis, Holbert and Telegraph Pass. 

Exposed to the sun and covered in scree, the trail winds up the mountain via long switchbacks passing by deranged-looking ironwood trees, cactuses, milky white quartz, shimmering micas and outcroppings of decaying metamorphic stone.   Geology buffs revel in the complexity of rock both underfoot and on the horizon featured on this hike, but even those whose rock knowledge begins and ends with a 3^rd grade “grow your own crystal” kit will appreciate  the bizarre  rock sculptures-- like the one I call "snakehead"-- that line the trail.

LENGTH:  6.4 miles roundtrip (including access trail from Warpaint TH)

RATING:  moderate

ELEVATION:  1,370' – 2,360'

KID FRIENDLY: best for older kids, kinda steep in several places

TRAILHEAD FACILITIES:  none

DOGS: must be on leash, rough terrain for paws, handlers must pack out poo
BEST SEASON:  October -April

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go south on I-10 to exit 159 for Ray Road.  Go west (right) on Ray Rd. and continue 0.3 mile to 48^th Street.  Turn north (right) and go 0.3 mile to Knox Road.  Turn west (left) and follow Knox 1.8 mile to Warpaint Drive on the right.  Drive 0.2 mile north on Warpaint to the trailhead on the right.  There are two unsigned “trailheads” here. The one you want for this hike has a wooden fence lining the entry. There’s only parallel parking along the street. Pay attention to no-parking zones as this trailhead is in a busy residential area. 

HIKE DIRECTIONS:

From the trailhead, hike roughly 0.1 mile to a “Y” junction where there’s a rusty sign post with arrows.  Go right here and hike 0.7 mile to a second “Y” junction with a metal post with the number “43” scratched into it.  Go left (you’re now on the Desert Classic Trail) and continue 0.2 mile to sign post “46”.  This is the turnoff for the access trail to Corona de Loma, although no signs indicate this.  Turn right at this junction and continue 0.2 mile (stay straight at an unsigned cross path a few yards up) to the signed turn off for Corona de Loma on the right.  The path is obvious but unsigned as it climbs up to a high ridge, dips into a narrow canyon and then climbs up again to Buena Vista Lookout where it intersects the National Trail.

See the “more photos” link below for pix of the critical junctions.

INFO AND MAPS: City of Phoenix Parks & Recreation:

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

FOR COOL INFO ON SoMo geology, visit the GEMLAND Website:

http://www.gemland.com/index.html

MORE PHOTOS:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1910790068198.73723.1795269672&type=1&l=af35516782

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

MORE PHOTOS:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1889789663201.73243.1795269672&type=1&l=94928bb5ff