Cholla Flats Loop, AZ

Overview: Easy, short loop with minimal elevation gain.

Getting there: From the Pyramid Trailhead, take Pyramid Trail about 3/4 mile to the start of the Cholla Flats Loop Trail. You will cross a large dry wash on Pyramid immediately before the start of Cholla Flats, which is signed.

Hike: The loop can be done either direction, but this description describes it counter-clockwise. The trail begins by heading south, paralleling the wash you just crossed. As you near the neighborhood ahead of you, the trail will turn east. The walk to the east is easy, and the trail skirts the southern boundary of the park. You will cross a few dry washes, and these account for most of the elevation change on this part of the trail.

At the easternmost edge of the loop, the trail turns north, and you are now on what has been locally known as the Gila Trail. The trail heads north, then west, with a little more elevation change as you are closer to the foot of the mountain, but still mostly flat. It's not uncommon to hear coyotes in this area around dawn and dusk. The trail meanders west before finally turning to the northwest to reconnect with Pyramid Trail. Once you're at Pyramid, turn left to finish out the loop. All turns are signed throughout the entire loop. Once back at your starting point of the loop, it's another 0.80 miles back to the trailhead on Pyramid.

The loop itself is 2.65 miles with 248' aeg. Getting to and from the Pyramid trailhead (closest trailhead) adds another 1.60 miles and 125' aeg to the hike, for 4.25 miles and 375' aeg. Casual hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers will likely get the most use out of this loop, but it also adds the option to cut off a big chunk of the road walk between Pyramid and Foothills (Telegraph Pass) trailheads.

Check out the Official Route and Triplogs.

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2020-04-13 LindaAnn