This trail starts out with two strikes, but then redeems itself with good cardio conditioning and home-run panoramic views at the top.

The first strike is the parking. There are approximately 10 parking spaces on the west side of School House Rd. north of the wash north of Military St. If you don’t get one of these spaces, turn back to Cave Creek Road and find a space somewhere. This makes for a longer hike along a dirt street.

The wash elevation is 2,195 feet and is the marked start of my description.

The next strike against this trail is that from Military St. it proceeds south up a dirt road for 1/3 mile. If you are unlucky, you may be breathing some dust. With the development in the area, this road will probably be paved in the near future.

At the 1/3 mile mark and 2,290 feet elevation, you hit a Y in the road. Take the right on the Y. The left of the Y goes to some very nice houses. The road turns into a jeep road. Great views to the North behind you. Great views will continue all the way to the summit. At ½ mile the jeep road curves to the right, passes a water tank and crests a saddle. Great views to the southwest. The road turns to the southeast. At 2/3 of a mile, the jeep road ends and the trail begins. Elevation 2,536.

The trail shows sign of maintenance, but it is still primitive. At ¾ of a mile, a trail joins from the east. This is apparently an alternate trail that avoids some of the jeep trail, but it is not the main trail so I won’t elaborate. Stay to the right and keep heading uphill. The switchbacks are very tight so this is basically a straight uphill hike. At the ¾ mile mark you are at 2,675 feet. At the 1 mile mark you are at 3,000 feet. Keep heading uphill. The trail becomes more rocky. You won’t need to use your hands to scramble, but you will have some high steps.

At 1.25 miles you reach the summit and the trail redeems itself with 360 degree panoramic views. Enjoy! The final ¾ mile to the top and the views redeem the dirt street and the parking.

If you live near Black Mountain, this is a great training hike. If you don’t live near Black Mountain, the mountains in the Phoenix Preserves are better.
- May 07 2006 Al_HikesAZ