Gila Valley Lookout, AZ

Overview
The Gila Valley Lookout is the newest trail to the South Mountain Trail system and is one of over 40 trails available in the park. This is a short trail that connects the Gila Valley Lookout to the National Trail. There are a couple of shade awnings and parking for over 30 cars at this trailhead. The amount of parking makes this an ideal starting point for someone who wants to hike the National from the middle. At the time of this writing, there are no benches, bathrooms, or water available at this site.


Hike
The Gila Valley Lookout (GVL) Trail is more of a connector trail than a destination trail. The trail is only 0.46 miles long and goes from the Lookout down to the National Trail. The trail for the most part is a very smooth single track, though it is a little rocky near the TH. It is an odd trail, in the sense, that one is starting at the most scenic spot and hikes down and away from the best views. The trail takes off from the east side of the parking area and switchbacks down about 60 feet to a lower-level ridge.From here, (and the parking area) you get great, unrestricted views to the south and the east. The trail drops from this ridge another 160 feet down the northern slope. This is a steady decline with no switchbacks. Once at the bottom, the trail crosses a small wash and then crosses South TV Rd before connecting to the National. This juncture is well signed and there are no user tracks that connect to the GVL so there should be little confusion with this trail. From here, the choices are limited. One can return the way they came for just under a 1-mile hike. Or, one can use this trail as a starting point, and take the National Trail east towards Holbert Trail and Buena Vista Lookout or west toward the Telegraph Trail and Goat Hill.

Note
At the time of this writing, the TH is still under construction, so there may be more amenities coming to this site. Also, because the TH is under construction, the only way to access this trail is from the National Trail. Currently, the easiest way to access the Gila Valley Lookout would be via the Buena Vista Lookout which involves a 1.2-mile hike along the National.

2024-01-04 mt98dew