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TELEGRAPH PASS South Mountain Park From its starting point at the edge of a residential subdivision to the Depression-era lookout tower at its terminus, the Telegraph Pass trail satisfies the needs of stroller brigades, tri-athletes in training, and everybody in between. The route is paved and flat in the first half-mile, making for an easy stroll among saguaro-and-ironwood-cluttered Sonoran desert foothills. After that, though, the trail becomes more rugged, gradually transitioning into a steep climb. A gallery of 600-year-old Hohokam petroglyphs tapped into craggy cliffs makes a convenient place to take a breather before huffing and puffing your way up the switchbacks ahead. The official route ends at the 1.5-mile point where the trail meets Summit Road. Still aching for more of a workout? Head left from here and continue uphill for another quarter-mile to Telegraph Pass Lookout where a stone pavilion frames far-reaching views of Metro Phoenix. LENGTH: 3 miles round-trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 1,480 – 1,990 feet GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go south on Interstate 10 to the Chandler Blvd. exit, turn west (right) and drive 5 miles to Desert Foothills Parkway. Turn right and go 2.8 miles to the trailhead parking lot. INFORMATION & MAPS: City of Phoenix Parks & Recreationhttp://phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south/hiking/index.html
