Hidden Valley via San Gabriel, AZ

Overview
Here's the quickest route to Hidden Valley from Ahwatukee.

Heads Up!
I recommend downloading the GPS Route. Otherwise seriously study the map or you will likely get lost. More specifically, you can likely get in but getting out may prove nearly impossible. All the rocks leading out of Hidden Valley appear to be black boulders. All the houses are cream-colored with a red hue roof. You should also be familiar with Hidden Valley and understand the location of the two slides. Check out Hidden Valley via Pima Canyon & Guadalupe Ridge for more Hidden Valley information.


Hike
From San Gabriel & 40th Place go left down through the wash and right back up. Follow the powerlines for 0.1mi then turn right onto a wide worn path. Follow the wide path 0.25mi to Desert Classic post #21. The 4x4 steel post may not say #21 but it does say Desert Classic. Turn left onto the Desert Classic and follow 0.3mi to post #23. #23 is currently marked as of this writing.Turn right at post #23 leaving the Desert Classic Trail for a jaunt up to the Guadalupe Ridgeline. This section of the trail is well cut like the Corona de Loma Trail. On this day the switchbacks were a small creek with countless 800mm waterfalls. Upon reaching the Guadalupe Ridgeline turn left and follow the well-worn trail 0.13mi. This is right before the "two bathroom sized boulders" as mentioned in Hidden Valley via Guadalupe Ridge.

It's a mere 0.12mi down to Hidden Valley. The trail down is well worn to shelter rock. Shortly after a flat boulder becomes the trail. Continue right and out across the boulders and the trail reappears on the other side. If you're a climber you can downclimb the 10-15 dryfall. Otherwise, it's much quicker to take the switchback down. This switchback is faint where it "switches" back. The bottom switch coming back takes you under a TREE!

You can easily identify the popular Hidden Valley route in the distance. This drops you in between the two slides of Hidden Valley, practically right before the eastern slide. It's imperative you note where you turn off into Hidden Valley. I remember it as the intersection with two-moss rock. Enjoy the short Hidden Valley / National loop. Going clockwise will be the eastern slide, the tunnel, cross back on the National Trail, down Fat Man's Pass ( aka Wonder Rift ), through the western ( covered ) slide and enjoy a saguarobow.

2008-01-07 joebartels