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Lookout! Its a mountain..kinda by Brems Hike The trail (Trail #150) proceeds south from the parking lot up the north face of the mountain towards the saddle. There is available water here at the trailhead. Please note, that there are no restrooms on this trail. There are several switch-backs, which decrease in amplitude as you approach the saddle. Many many years ago there were no route marking signs, however on the north face of the mountain, it is very obvious where the trail is. I hiked the mountain the other day, and couldn't help but notice that the city has put up a dozen or so sign posts marking this half of the trail. Once you reach the saddle, the trail becomes more interesting. Heading the east, the trail proceeds to follow the ridge, up to the named peak. There are a few parts here where the trail is not clearly defined. The basic idea is to keep going up. There is a bit of a rough spot at this point, where I would advise you not to fall down. My brother and I affectionately call this place the "butt (yet, we use a word that is synonymous with donkey) cracker". You'll know what I mean when you see it. After that bit of rough, the trail gathers itself back together and makes a quick shot toward the summit. A City of Phoenix brown painted steel post marks the actual summit. This can be a quick hike for the average hiker, taking no more than 30 - 45 minutes from start to finish. Leashed dogs are allowed, but please pick up after your dog. There is nothing worse than stepping in a pile of the stuff while enjoying a quick hike. The trail is open from dawn until dusk. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent of 50 deeper Triplog Reviews
Lookout Mountain Summit Trail #150
Lookout Mtn from the SE parking lot
My route for Lookout Mtn starts from the parking lot near the toilets and tennis courts, off N 18th St. I take the Circumference Trail NW 0.9 mile (passing the connector trail #25) up to the broadest saddle, where you get your first view of the water tank at the end of 16th St, then turn NE for 0.4 mile where it's not clear what trail # you're on, and finally SE for another 0.4 mile on the Summit Trail #150. There are many use trails on this mountain, and they may look different on the way down; so just pick a route that looks walkable. The climb is a decent workout, and the views from the top are generally nice, although today the summer haze buildup was obscuring things. It's not brown yet, but you could barely make out Four Peaks. Distances and elevation gain in this triplog are taken from the "Phoenix Mountain Preserve" map #2813S, by Green Trails Maps.
2018-04-16 amy1300
Lookout Mountain Summit Trail #150
Short after work hike. Needed something with a little elevation and Lookout Mountain met the criteria. Got on the trail around 4:30. Took trail 150 straight to the top in about 14 minutes and from there went west to the adjacent knob. There were no bees on the main peak but there were several around the palo verde as I made my one up to the second. Not so many as to scare you off, but enough for you to notice. From there, I went down the trail that wraps around the west side of this smaller peak. No wildlife, but the trails were busy. Saw close to 20 hikers. Found out later that my sisters had just finished a hike there and then saw me from a distance and tried to chase me around the trails so that "they could hike with me." They never caught me 
, but they got 2 extra miles on their hike. 
, but they got 2 extra miles on their hike. 2018-04-04 mt98dew
Lookout Mountain Summit Trail #150
Hadn’t climbed Lookout Mountain for over 20 years but it came up on our hike organizer’s roulette wheel so I consulted Teva Joe’s website to see if they’d moved it or anything and discovered it’s apparently Tibber’s favorite hike which was good because Tibber writes nicely detailed triplogs.
I think that the high circumference trail which leads off just below the summit to make a counter-clockwise connection to the summit trail again is new; at least I didn’t remember it and it does not appear to be marked with any number. (See GPS log) It had some interesting ups and downs and I’d like to see it circumnavigate the entire mountain at that elevation. Instead, when we got back to the summit trail we shot up to the saddle again and took 308 down, around, and back to the car, which was unfortunately parked halfway down 16th street. This trail is too popular.
I have a new camera now that adjusts for the fact that I’m way too slow to get into that 10 second window so it waited for me to wander into the view finder with my hiking buddies today.
I think that the high circumference trail which leads off just below the summit to make a counter-clockwise connection to the summit trail again is new; at least I didn’t remember it and it does not appear to be marked with any number. (See GPS log) It had some interesting ups and downs and I’d like to see it circumnavigate the entire mountain at that elevation. Instead, when we got back to the summit trail we shot up to the saddle again and took 308 down, around, and back to the car, which was unfortunately parked halfway down 16th street. This trail is too popular.
I have a new camera now that adjusts for the fact that I’m way too slow to get into that 10 second window so it waited for me to wander into the view finder with my hiking buddies today.
2018-03-20 muskybankr
Lookout Mountain Summit Trail #150
Lookout All Over the Place
Sat. I only did 1 mile on Shaw Butte before the rain and wind forced me and a few others to turn around. If I hadn't watched that funny episode of Gunsmoke (I had seen it before so I knew it was funny) and taken that 20 min. nap, I would have this done. So I had to make up for it with an after-work hike.
Decided a route in my head and followed it pretty much. I took the Summit Trail to the Saddle and then headed east. I was surprised on the south side of Lookout Summit how much up there is to stay on that upper tier. I had to go up a little four times. Also surprised how much my inner thighs hurt from Barbell Strength class last nite; can't figure out what moves we did that caused that.
Anyway, I finished the circle of the mountain on not the easiest terrain (was surprised at that too) and headed west to circle the western humps. There I could pick up what little speed I have
and enjoyed the clean, though slightly warm air. As I came around the last hump and headed east, due to the overcast sky, I noticed how almost blindingly white the houses are in that one community below. I could also see clearly all the way to Weavers Needle. I finished my western circle and headed back to Tonto Jr.
It was great not to have to wear a hat, yeah! There were about a dozen or so hikers out today and the SW Compass cactus were starting to bloom.
Decided a route in my head and followed it pretty much. I took the Summit Trail to the Saddle and then headed east. I was surprised on the south side of Lookout Summit how much up there is to stay on that upper tier. I had to go up a little four times. Also surprised how much my inner thighs hurt from Barbell Strength class last nite; can't figure out what moves we did that caused that.
Anyway, I finished the circle of the mountain on not the easiest terrain (was surprised at that too) and headed west to circle the western humps. There I could pick up what little speed I have
and enjoyed the clean, though slightly warm air. As I came around the last hump and headed east, due to the overcast sky, I noticed how almost blindingly white the houses are in that one community below. I could also see clearly all the way to Weavers Needle. I finished my western circle and headed back to Tonto Jr.It was great not to have to wear a hat, yeah! There were about a dozen or so hikers out today and the SW Compass cactus were starting to bloom.
2018-03-13 tibber
Lookout Mountain Summit Trail #150
Lookout mountain circumference and 2 summits
I didn't feel like a big adventure this weekend, so I stuck to my "home" mountain of Lookout. It's close and quick.
Started at Lookout Mtn. Park and took 308 around to a quick summit on 150 with a side-trip to the Western summit. Then back down to complete the circumference loop. Only 4 miles and minimal ev. gain. I'm resting up for a trip up Heiroglyphic Canyon and Pk. 5057 next weekend.
I always like Lookout because it's never that crowded and everyone here is friendly!
Started at Lookout Mtn. Park and took 308 around to a quick summit on 150 with a side-trip to the Western summit. Then back down to complete the circumference loop. Only 4 miles and minimal ev. gain. I'm resting up for a trip up Heiroglyphic Canyon and Pk. 5057 next weekend.
I always like Lookout because it's never that crowded and everyone here is friendly!
2018-02-04 Naferg323
Lookout Mountain Summit Trail #150
took the knee out for another hike since I won't be going to gym class on Friday. Wednesday gym class didn't go that well for my knee so I'm opting for just hiking. Pretty much stuck to the summit trail with a couple variations so as to mix it up from Tuesday's hike. Not too many folks out yet between 4-5.
I did see this one lady who had a baby on her back in a flimsy carrier without any protection. The baby's limbs were sticking out everywhere. I sure wouldn't do that for fear of falling and that child was just in its t-shirt and diaper. I worried for the rest of my hike. It's one thing to have a child in a backpack-like carrier but another to just have it strapped to your back. As we all know, all it takes is one little misstep and down you go.
I did see this one lady who had a baby on her back in a flimsy carrier without any protection. The baby's limbs were sticking out everywhere. I sure wouldn't do that for fear of falling and that child was just in its t-shirt and diaper. I worried for the rest of my hike. It's one thing to have a child in a backpack-like carrier but another to just have it strapped to your back. As we all know, all it takes is one little misstep and down you go.
2018-01-18 tibber
Lookout Mountain Summit Trail #150
Started from the trailhead off of Coral Gables and went up to 308, then counterclockwise around the mountain. Wanted to see how fast I could hit the summit, so made sure I timed myself from the official starting line in the parking lot. Still a bit slower than a few years ago, so I have some work to do. Nice day to get out for a run and added another summit for the year.
2018-01-17 SpiderLegs
Lookout Mountain Summit Trail #150
Lookout Mountain padded and a new trail
wanted to get in some practice before the HAZ New Year's elevation hike; altho I know it's going to be a beautiful hike. With that in mind, I came around the south side of Lookout as I think that's a steeper elevation gain. I don't know that this will help me with the 1600 elev gain for Monday but...
and then over to its sister, back down, over to the western humps where I found a trail on the west side of the middle hump that I didn't even know existed; very cool!
and then over and up the northern hump and back and around and down to Tonto Jr. Quite few folks out, lots of dog poop in and out of bags
; most I've ever seen out here. Fortunately, because I had to park in the residential section, I got to smell some roses before getting to my car.
HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone. May your 2018 be prosperous but mostly may it be healthy! and now to make ham and bean soup.
and then over to its sister, back down, over to the western humps where I found a trail on the west side of the middle hump that I didn't even know existed; very cool!
and then over and up the northern hump and back and around and down to Tonto Jr. Quite few folks out, lots of dog poop in and out of bags
; most I've ever seen out here. Fortunately, because I had to park in the residential section, I got to smell some roses before getting to my car.HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone. May your 2018 be prosperous but mostly may it be healthy! and now to make ham and bean soup.
2017-12-30 tibber
Lookout Mountain Summit Trail #150
Well I needed a way to ensure that I took it nice and easy on a hiking trail today, so brought my wife along to keep me in check. A nice leisurely hike to stretch the legs and enjoy some time with my better half. Simply a perfect morning to get out, was able to sleep in a little, enjoy a couple of cups of coffee then hit the trail while it was still in the 60's. Had barely hit 80 by the time we got back to the car.
2017-10-01 SpiderLegs
Lookout Mountain Summit Trail #150
Short after work hike. Beat the rain, though to be honest, I don't know if it ever got there. Lot of humidity, a "spittering" of rain and a nice breeze depending where I was on the mountain. Did a straight in and aout from the north side. A few lizards, 3 hikers and not much else.
2017-07-18 mt98dew
