Quartz Ridge Trail

PIESTEWA PEAK QUARTZ RIDGE TRAIL 8A

Downtown Phoenix viewed from Quartz Ridge

Looking for a way to enjoy the desert beauty surrounding Piestewa Peak and get a good workout without elbow-to-elbow crowds?  Try the Quartz Ridge 8A trail. 

A massive quartz block on Quartz Ridge trail

Located southeast of the extremely popular Piestewa Peak summit trail in the Piestewa Peak-Dreamy Draw Trails section of the

Phoenix Mountains Preserve, trail 8A offers a similar experience in a less congested slice of the craggy hills.  The 1.7-mile path traces gullies and foothills below the distinctive 2,608-foot hill that stand high above the skyline just a few miles north of downtown Phoenix off State Route 51.

Creosote grows along Quartz Ridge trail

Edgy switchbacks ascend Quartz Ridge

While the trail may be reached via several connected routes, the 32^nd Street trailhead offers direct access.  Unlike the summit route which goes straight up, Quartz Ridge is a double-hump workout.  The trail starts on a wide, easy grade that parallels a deep, tree-cluttered wash. 

The route makes several wash crossings

While making its mild ascent, the trail passes by jagged stone outcroppings sprinkled with white quartz nodules that gradually grow in size and scope until the it meets an enormous ivory boulder at the base of a ridge where quartz chunks spill downhill like tossed confetti. 

Phoenix Mountains Preserve trails are well-signed

From this point on, the route dips through washes and climbs exposed ridges exposing ever-expanding views of downtown Phoenix and mountain ranges to the south.  About halfway through the hike, a short segment of tight, edge-hugging switchbacks move trekkers uphill to a scenic saddle near the highpoint. 

Hike ends at the L.V. Yates trail junction

Here, east and north Valley vistas come into view and a stone bench beckons hikers to take a break and enjoy the sights. The trail then makes a swerving dive into a cliff-bound ravine where saguaro cacti and blooming shrubs thrive on rugged cliffs and sandy washes. 

Trixis shrubs grow in wash areas

Don't be a statistic. Heed this advise.

Lumps of quartz stained with orange and ashen veneers reappear in colorful piles and fields of snowy nuggets.  After one final dip through a water-worn bend, the trail meets its end in a small, grotto-like area where it intersects with the L.V. Yates trail. 

North Valley views sen from Quartz Ridge

Strawberry hedgehog cacti add color to the hike

Make this your turnaround point or consult park maps to customize a longer hike.  Either way, with Valley temperatures rapidly approaching the century mark, stay safe by paying attention to the city’s “Take a hike. Do it right.” kiosks posted at trailheads.  While accidents do happen, having to be hauled off a trail by search and rescue personnel due to heat-related incidents is easily preventable.

LENGTH: 3.4 miles up-and-back

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 1,358 – 1,842 feet (888 feet accumulated elevation change)

GETTING THERE:

32^nd Street Trailhead:

6511 E. Sierra Vista Dr., Phoenix

Hours: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

INFO: City of Phoenix

https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/piestewa-peak/hiking-trail-map

Piestewa Peak

PIESTEWA PEAK SUMMIT TRAIL

Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Summit of Piestewa Peak

A famously fabulous and infamously crowded hike, the Piestewa Peak summit trail ranks second in elevation among the "Seven Summits of Phoenix. Camelback Mountain, at 2704' is the tallest. Because of its central location and easy access, the vertical, switchbacking route sees a lot of action.  Elbow-to-elbow foot traffic is common, especially on weekends when athletes in training and casual hikers alike jockey for position on the stony path worn smooth by years of heavy use.  Rising over 1200 feet, the strenuous trek rewards with sweeping views of  Metro Phoenix peaks and valleys. The mountain is named for fallen Arizona soldier Lori Piestewa who was killed in 2003 during the same Iraqi attack that wounded Jessica Lynch who became well known because of her dramatic rescue by fellow soldiers.  The base of the peak has been the site of memorial services that have been attended by Ms. Lynch and members of Piestewa's Hopi Nation to pay tribute to the first Native American woman to die in combat while serving in the U.S. military.

View from the Summit Trail

LENGTH: 1.2 miles 1-way

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION:  1,400' - 2,608'

FACILITIES: restrooms, water

NOTE: dogs and bikes are not permitted

GETTING THERE:

2701 E. Squaw Peak Dr., Phoenix 85016.

From Phoenix, go north on SR 51 to Lincoln Dr exit.  Follow Lincoln to Squaw Peak Drive, turn left and follow the signs to the parking area.

INFO: City of Phoenix

http://phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/piestewapeak/hikingmap/index.html

FREEDOM TRAIL

FREEDOM TRAIL Piestewa Peak/Dreamy Draw Area, Phoenix Fed up with elbow-to-elbow hiker hoards on the Piestewa Peak Summit Trail? Yeah, me too. Thankfully, there’s an adjacent trail that provides a similar experience and "FREEDOM" from the traffic. Actually, this trail was not named for its obvious benefit but instead was dubbed in conjunction with the renaming of Squaw Peak in honor of fallen Arizona soldier, Lori Piestewa. Making a wobbly, scenic loop around the second highest summit in Phoenix, Freedom Trail #302 (formerly known as the Circumference Trail) gives a descent workout, showcases beautiful Sonoran desert terrain and gets high enough to frame some nice views of Metro Phoenix. The trail begins at the north end of the parking area. Most hikers prefer to hike counterclockwise because the ascent is more gradual that way. To take this option, go north (straight ahead) at the trailhead sign. Lots of cactuses, desert shrubs, strategically-placed lookout points (with benches!), bizarre geology and the occasional rattlesnake combine for an interesting mix of sights along the way. At roughly 2.75 miles, the trail tops out and joins the Summit Trail, which you’ll follow downhill for half-a-mile to reconnect with trail 302 for the final leg of the loop. LENGTH: 3.8-mile loop RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 1,500 – 2,150 feet BEST SEASONS: October - April GETTING THERE: In Phoenix, exit SR 51 (Piestewa Freeway) at Lincoln Drive (exit 5) and continue east 0.5 mile to Squaw Peak Drive. Turn left and go 0.5 mile to the entrance for Phoenix Mountains Park and follow the main road all the way to the end and park at the Apache picnic area. FACILITIES: restrooms, water FEES: none now, but that may change in late 2010 DOGS: leashed dogs are allowed on trail 302 but NOT on the Summit Trail. INFO & MAP: http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/hikephx.html

Phoenix Councilman Sal DiCiccio's Take on the City's New Trailhead Parking Fees

UPDATE 9-16-10: THE VOTE ON TRAILHEAD PARKING FEES HAS BEEN MOVED TO OCTOBER 6, 2010. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO REGISTER YOUR CONCERNS: http://copwww05.phoenix.gov/mydistrict/ The latest citizen sacrifice: Hikers The city of Phoenix is getting ready to bleed yet another passionate segment of its citizenry, hitting them up for a few more dollars because they truly care about a narrow aspect of city life and are willing to pay more for it. Then the city will turn around and give that money to its employees. There is insufficient backbone to say no. This time it’s the hikers who will pay. You’ve seen this movie before: Threaten to kill or severely cut some service with passionate (or desperate) supporters. Offer up a disaster scenario if more money isn’t produced. Then, after the initial wailing and public apoplexy, come up with a slightly lesser fleecing of this group to gain public compliance. Hey, it’s only a few bucks and it will keep our (fill in the blank) hiking trails, softball fields, library hours, etc. etc. etc. The Oscar for this performance came during the budget hearings, where police, firemen, libraries and seniors centers were offered up as sacrifices to the fiscal gods if the public didn’t approve a $50 million food tax. Take a wild guess where all the public hearings were held? Libraries and senior centers, naturally. The ugly truth is that the $100 million in new taxes and fees Phoenix has already imposed on its citizenry in the past seven months is not necessary to keep those services and protections. It’s to find enough money to pay for 14,000-plus union-represented employees who average $100,000 a year in compensation. Yes, it was easier for Phoenix to cut after-school programs -- and send more than half of our at-risk kids back on the street, along with significant cuts to seniors -- than it was to look internally and take the significant steps to cut labor costs. By simply getting city employees to make the exact same compensation as you, the boss, we could save more than $300 million a year. Let me repeat this: If we can get public workers to make exactly what you make, we save hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Read on. That average compensation for all employees has gone up $17,000 during the past five years, which means that while you were struggling to survive the worst recession in most of our lifetimes, Phoenix employees got $17,000 in raises. Did you get that? I hope so, because you’re paying for theirs. And you’re going to pay more – for a lower service level – unless citizens rise up and shout “ENOUGH.” The parking fee – at trails you already pay for three ways – is a great place to start. This came about after the city drastically cut services and hours for parks, then gave the parks board the notion that if it didn’t raise money for the general fund, much more would be cut. That’s where the $5 a day parking fee came up (later reduced to $2 – hey, a comparative bargain). Then the city management promised that all the new dollars would go to parks. First off, management can’t promise that. Even the Council can’t promise that, because it can’t commit a future Council. And because both the Council and management already have swept parks funds this year, creating this artificial crisis, you know they’re willing and capable of doing it again. But more importantly, where’s the attention to the real drain, public employee labor costs? Everyone raised Cain when it was discovered that Bell, California, paid its top three employees hundreds of thousands of dollars. How about 14,000-plus employees averaging $100,000? (No, they don’t all make that, but the private sector compensation average for the Valley is $57,000, a difference of more than $40,000.) Connect these dots, and Phoenix is heading for the same cliff as Los Angeles, Detroit, California, Greece and General Motors. And not only does the city not have a plan to deal with labor costs, it doesn’t even plan to have a plan, other than continuing to bleed you. On Sept. 15, the Phoenix City Council will be asked to approve enforcing this latest rummage through your pockets. No Council approval, no new fee. I say it’s time to separate the taxing and spending addict from its drug, which is your money. Doing so would force Phoenix to grow a backbone and restructure its operations for today’s fiscal reality. Doing so requires you citizens demanding that it be so. Councilman Sal DiCiccio represents District 6, which includes Ahwatukee, Arcadia, Biltmore, East Camelback and North Central. He can be reached at council.district.6@phoenix.gov. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD, SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR REP:http://copwww05.phoenix.gov/mydistrict/

PHOENIX CITY PARKS ACCESS FEES

GET READY TO OPEN YOUR WALLET (AGAIN)! CITY OF PHOENIX PARKS & RECREATION BOARD APPROVES NEW PARKING FEE PROGRAM Budget shortfalls, layoffs, tanking stocks, earthquakes, floods, fires, plague---now this. Set to roll out in “early fall” 2010, a new City of Phoenix fee program will require visitors at five gated parking areas in South Mountain Park and Phoenix Mountains Preserve to purchase parking passes. Whoa---whoa---let’s keep our whining to a minimum, because the fees will only apply to the busiest and most congested access points, where heavy traffic results in higher maintenance costs. The fees will go toward supporting city parks & recreation programs, keeping access open and affordable and, of course, cleaning up after sloppy dummyheads and their beer cans. Soon, park rangers will begin hosting “meet & greet” events to communicate these changes. Until then---- HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: WHEN: begins in early fall 2010 WHICH LOCATIONS WILL REQUIRE THE FEE: Although more than 30 access/parking areas will remain FREE, the 5 most popular locations will require a fee to park. They are: Pima Canyon, Echo Canyon-Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, Dreamy Draw, North Mountain COST: annual pass: $75, 6-month pass: $50, daily pass: $2 WHERE TO PURCHASE: pass will be available online and at City of Phoenix recreation and community centers. The city has plans to install self-pay kiosks in future. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T PAY UP?: for the first few introductory months, nothing---after that though, you may be fined. INFORMATION: http://phoenix.gov/PRL/passupdate.html

SEVEN SUMMITS of PHOENIX

 

The Phoenix Summit Challenge (a.k.a. The Seven Summits of Phoenix) Is held annually in November.
However, if you want to  tackle the circuit on your own, here's the plan: CamelbackMountain • Piestewa Peak • North Mountain • Lookout Mountain • Gila Valley Lookout, South Mountain • Shaw Butte • Shadow Mountain. Can’t get to all of the continents of the globe to conquer the famous “Seven Summits”? Well, then, why not trash a weekend conquering the seven summits of Phoenix. All of the seven highest peaks in the metro Phoenix area are easily attainable and can theoretically be achieved in a single day. However, most hikers will want to break the adventure into two parts in order to relax and enjoy the views on each high point. DAY 1: Southern Section Part one starts at the southernmost destination and works northward. 1. GILA VALLEY LOOKOUT: South Mountain Park 2.660 feet LENGTH: 7 miles RT ELEVATION GAIN: 1.310 feet RATING: difficult GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, follow Central Avenue south all the way to the end where it flows into South Mountain Park. Just past the park entrance gate, turn left into the Activity Complex. Drive past the Interpretive Center and go all the way to the end of the road and park. The hike starts at the Holbert trailhead directly across the road. South Mountain Park is open from 5:30 a.m to dusk and access and parking is free. There are restrooms and running water at the trailhead. HIKE: Follow the Holbert Trail all the way to the end to where it meets the National Trail. From the junction, follow the TV Tower Road for about a mile to the Gila Valley Lookout. The actual high point of South Mountain (Mt. Suppoa, 2,690 ft) is off limits, so the Gila Lookout is the next best thing. 2. CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN: City of Phoenix 2,704 (highest point in Phoenix) LENGTH: 2.3 miles RT ELEVATION GAIN: 1,300 feet RATING: difficult GETTING THERE: From South Mountain Park, drive north on Central Ave to Camelback Road and turn right (east). Continue on Camelback Road to 44th Street and turn left (north). Stay on 44th Street as it turns into McDonald and continue on McDonald, past Tatum to the turn off on the right for Echo Canyon Parkway. Be prepared to wait for parking at the trailhead. HIKE: Just go up. And up, and up. 3. PIESTEWA PEAK: Phoenix Mountains Preserve 2,608 feet LENGTH: 2.4 MILES RT ELEVATION GAIN: 1,190 feet RATING: difficult FEE: beginning in "early fall" 2010 there's a $2 daily parking fee. For more info, visit: http://phoenix.gov/PRL/passupdate.html GETTING THERE: From Camelback Mountain, exit the Echo Canyon trailhead and head north (right) onto Tatum Blvd. Continue on Tatum to Lincoln Drive and turn left (west). Drive on Lincoln past 32nd St and past the 24th St interchange. Lincoln will turn into Glendale Ave. Turn right onto Squaw Peak Drive and follow the signs to the trailhead. HIKE: This is an urban treadmill used by the local firefighters, athletes and spandex-clad beautiful people. But, don’t let the fact that you may be old and ugly keep you away. Carry plenty of water, wear sturdy boots and you too can enjoy Phoenix’s most popular hike. DAY 2: Northern Section Part two starts at the northernmost destination and works southward. 4. LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN: Phoenix Mountains Preserve 2,054 feet LENGTH: 1 mile RT ELEVATION GAIN: 475 feet RATING: Moderate GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, drive north on SR51 (Piestewa Frwy) and turn west (left) onto Greenway Road. Continue on Greenway to 16th St. and turn south (left). Follow 16th St uphill to a nice trailhead near a water tank. HIKE: Head right from the trailhead sign and connect to the summit trail 150. At the first unmarked junction, hang a left for the most direct route to the summit. If you miss that subtle turn off, don’t sweat it, just keep selecting the uphill paths and you’ll end up on the summit eventually. 5. SHAW BUTTE: Phoenix Mountains Preserve 2,149 feet LENGTH: 5 miles RT ELEVATION GAIN: 670 feet RATING: Moderate GETTING THERE: From Lookout Mountain, head back to Greenway Pkwy and go left (west). Continue on Greenway Pkwy to 7th St and turn left (south) Follow 7th St south to Thunderbird Rd. and turn right (west). Follow Thunderbird west and take a left onto Central Ave. The trailhead parking area is located on the right side of the road. Once again, you may need to wait awhile to get a parking spot. HIKE: This is a loop hike. At the trailhead, go left onto trail 306 and follow it to the summit. From the summit, follow the old paved road back down. 6. NORTH MOUNTAIN: Phoenix Mountains Preserve 2,104 feet LENGTH: 1.6 miles RT ELEVATION GAIN: 614 feet RATING: moderate FEE: beginning in "early fall" 2010 there's a $2 daily parking fee. For more info, visit: http://phoenix.gov/PRL/passupdate.html GETTING THERE: From Shaw Butte, go back onto Thunderbird and turn right (south) onto 7th Street. Go south on 7th St. to Peoria Ave and turn west (right) into the park. Follow the one-way park road to the Maricopa Ramada parking area. HIKE: The trail begins on a steep, dirt path and then connects with a paved road that leads to the top of the hill. Once at the end of the road, look for trail 44 to the left. It leads to the highest accessible point as well as a scenic ridge. 7. SHADOW MOUNTAIN: Phoenix Mountains Preserve 1,928 feet LENGTH: 1 mile RT ELEVATION GAIN: 440 feet RATING: Moderate GETTING THERE: This under-appreciated gem of a mountain is accessible from several points in residential areas. We selected the 25th Place trailhead. To get there from North Mountain, exit the park and go south (right) on 7th St. to Cave Creek Road. Turn right onto Cave Creek Road and drive north past the big church. Just before reaching Greenway Pkwy. turn right onto Claire. Follow Claire past 25th St. and take the next right onto 25th Place (unmarked road). The trailhead is at the corner of 25th Place and Acoma. Park along the retaining wall. HIKE: A sweet little traipse through the desert with a short steep scramble near the top. The summit offers up pleasant views of the surrounding area including a weird-looking reservoir and multi-million-dollar homes under construction.