Overview: Collection of various trails at West Wing Mountain. Page data reflects what the city designates at the "Advanced" route. Adjust data accordingly when logging your triplog. Trails are closed from sundown to sunrise. Pets must be restrained on a leash, no longer than six feet in length. Pet waste must be cleaned up and properly disposed.

Advanced Trail: 2.9mi / 358ft The advanced route on West Wing Mtn. has been improved from the original version to make this hike even more interesting and scenic. The best modification that was made to this new route is that it seldom overlaps the same walking path except on your return trip down the hill. However, you will find out that the most difficult part of this advanced hike is within the first mile of the hike. So be prepared to climb to the mountain's highest point with a few steep inclines along the way. Then, get ready to enjoy the remainder of the hike with panoramic views.

The hike begins with a warm-up from the parking lot of the elementary school to the actual trail beginning, located at the northwest intersection of High Desert Drive and Higuera Drive. This .6 mile warm up and cool down is a perfect way to loosen up and prepare for this fabulous mountain. Once you cross West Wing Parkway and approach Higuera Drive, you will easily observe the blue and white trail signs that have now been posted to provide you a better indication of where the trail starts. The beginning of the hike takes you through a residential area and a neighborhood drainage corridor. There are a few pet dogs in several backyards that will welcome you along this segment by peaking through the fences in their yards. Once you pass through the neighborhood, the uphill challenge begins. This one mile incline provides very little relief as some of the areas are difficult and steep. It is advantageous to wear a quality pair of shoes or boots that have mountain hiking tread to keep sturdy footing along this challenging path.

Once you reach the summit you will experience some beautiful panoramic views in every direction. Once you catch your breath after the ascent, enjoy the remainder of the hike with a lot of up and down undulation... but since you've already reached the highest point of the hill, most the remainder of your hike is downhill so have some fun with it and take in some of the most exciting views from these Peoria mountains. At the half way point, you will have the opportunity to add a little more distance to your hike by climbing the scenic overlook at the eastern portion of the mountain. If you do take the scenic route, you will get a bird's-eye view of the New River Dam and the impoundment area behind the dam. After a rainstorm, there may even be some standing water in various areas. After you return from this scenic overlook, you will now traverse the south face of the mountain overlooking many of the residential areas in the West Wing development. There are several interesting rock formations, hollowed out cave areas, nesting areas by pack rats, and some unique green colored lichen attached to the south facing stone along this route. This path will take your right back to the point of beginning and you can finish your hike with a .6 mile cool-down period to get back to your automobile in the school parking lot.

Extreme Trail: 3.5mi /358ft The extreme route has been modified from its original version to make this hike even more extreme and difficult. The advantage of this new route is that it seldom overlaps the same path, except at the most interesting part of the hike, and on your return trip down the hill. So build up your stamina, because this one is going to challenge you.

The hike begins with a warm-up from the parking lot of the elementary school to the actual trail beginning, located at the northwest intersection of High Desert Drive and Higuera Drive. Signs have now been posted to provide you a better indication of where to get started. The start of the hike takes you through a residential area and a neighborhood drainage corridor. There are a few pet canines in several backyards that will welcome you along this segment. Once you pass through the neighborhood, the uphill challenge begins. This 3/4 mile incline provides very little relief, but it offers some spectacular views of the north face of the mountain once you reach the first saddle. It is advantageous to wear a pair of shoes or boots that have mountain hiking tread to keep sturdy footing along this challenging path.

Once you reach the summit of the first climb in elevation at about the one mile point, you will descend about 150 feet and traverse the south-facing hillside to the eastern most portion of West Wing Mountain. If you want to add a little more distance to your hike, climb the scenic overlook at the eastern ridge and you will get a bird's-eye view of the New River Dam and the impoundment area behind the dam. After a rainstorm, there may even be some standing water in various areas. After you return from this scenic overlook, you will now be challenged to climb in elevation for the next 2/3 mile to reach the peak, walk the ridgeline, and climb to the summit that you just hiked 30 minutes earlier. This incline will get your heart beating quickly the more you challenge yourself with a quick pace. If you prefer to take a breather along the way, there are a few scenic overlooks that can be great places to rest and enjoy the panoramic views.

Once you've reached the summit, this extreme hike will double back on a steep chute through some rocky areas with spectacular views (but you'll already know this because you had the same view from the opposite direction earlier in your route). Make sure you take your time going downward through this chute and please stay on all groomed trails. There are some areas that are more risky off of groomed trails.

If you haven't had enough once you reach the saddle, take another scenic overview hike up the western edge of the mountains. There is some steep terrain along this scenic overlook route, and you are basically hiking along the upper edge of the mountain through very rocky areas to the scenic overlook. If you haven't experienced it yet, it's time you did.