Pima Canyon Loop - South Mountain, AZ

Overview: This an easy loop, recently designated as a 'new' trail, utilizing the plethora of existing trails around the Pima Canyon trailhead.


Hike: This loop can be hiked in either direction, although this guide describes it going counter-clockwise ↺. From the Pima Canyon parking lot, the trail starts on the north side of the lot, east of the picnic benches/ramada, and is signed. The trail will immediately drop down into a wash. As soon as you reach the wash bottom, turn right at the trail marker. Surprisingly, this marker is not signed. It's just a brown post, but take the trail that heads east from the post. As you head east, stay on the main trail, and you will see signed trail markers again.The trail is easy, with Beacon Hill on the north side of you and a golf course on your right. Continue heading east, following the signs. This section of the trail has a great variety of Sonoran Desert flora and might be a good choice for tourists wanting to see the local desert plant life without making a big hike. After squeezing around the east end of Beacon Hill, the trail turns north, roughly paralleling the golf course as it makes its way gently uphill.

After passing the signed east end of Santa Cruz Hill, the trail drops back down as it winds its way north and west behind several businesses and an apartment complex. Continuing past the apartments, the trail heads west to meet up with Beverly Canyon trail. Turn left, and take Beverly Canyon south, which will still be signed as Pima Canyon Loop. The trail generally follows the power lines, veering back and forth slightly, as it heads slowly uphill. After passing the turnoff for Ridgeline Trail, the trail will drop down into Pima Wash.

As you climb up out of Pima Wash, the trail reaches the service road, continue south across the road as the trail stays parallel with the power lines. The trail will ascend once more, becoming rocky at times, and at the top of the climb will cross Marcos De Niza Trail. After topping out, the trail will drop again as you descend to the southeast and towards the neighborhood ahead of you. Within a few moments, you will reach the signed junction with Desert Classic Trail. Turn left on Desert Classic/Pima Canyon Loop and head east on a mostly flat trail as the loop brings you back to the main parking lot, completing the hike.

2021-04-01 LindaAnn