Question re: National Trail @ South Mountain

[AmyAnn]

Hi! I've been visiting the forum for a couple months now and finally decided to get official and make an account.

I'm a bit of a "noob", since I've only recently taken up hiking, but I'm trying to make up for lost time so I've been going out nearly every weekend. I've done a lot of the in-city trails - last weekend I did the Freedom Trail at Piestewa Peak, I've done most of the trails at Papago, did (part of) the Goat Camp trail at the White Tanks last month, Boynton Canyon in the beginning of November, and I go to the Hassayampa Preserve every few weeks (I volunteer there). Since I've just started out I'm doing short day hikes - I'm not yet in shape for the really long trails. I've determined that my trip limit is about 6-8 miles, which I can do in 5-6 hours, depending on the incline (I'm pretty slow uphill!).

Aaaaaaanyway (sorry for the long intro!)...a friend and I are planning on doing part of the National Trail at South Mountain this weekend. She wants to start the trail where it meets Telegraph Pass (which we hiked together last month) which, based on the trail map, looks like it's roughly the half-way point so I'm assuming that going east from there it's 7 miles-ish(?). From what I've read about the trail online I'd like to take it to where it meets Hidden Valley/Fat Man's Pass. My questions, for anyone who has experience with that trail, are: approximately how many miles it is from Telegraph to Hidden Valley, what the difficulty level is for that section of the trail (relatively flat, or a lot of climbing?), and whether it would be feasible (time-wise, and keeping in mind that we're both relatively inexperienced hikers) for us to turn around at that point and go back to the Telegraph Pass trailhead or whether it would make more sense for us to keep a car at the Pima Canyon trailhead instead of hiking back? Am I biting off more than I can chew?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks!

[joebartels]

finally decided to get official

Welcome to HAZ AmyAnn, the trade off for the following info is you promise to at least post some triplogs in the future. Otherwise stop reading now It's 4.25 miles one way with about 1,000 feet gain. So 8.5 miles & 2,000 ft roundtrip. I think you can just squeak this in, it may take up to eight hours at your current ability. The good news is you conquer 500 feet of the elevation in the first 1.25 miles. That's good because you knock out the toughest part then it's minor ups and downs the rest of the way. It's very good trail all the way with no obstacles.

It gets dark about 5pm now. I'd recommend starting no later than 8am. That gives you 9 hours of light for worst case scenario. Your turn around time should be 4 hours. Bear in mind there's a road near several stretches of the trail where you could hitch or call for a ride. I wouldn't bother with the Pima Canyon shuttle option.

The trail crosses the road once or twice, I forget the exact number. When it does just be aware. One of the crossings is a little faded if you're new. It's nothing to worry about. Just remember if you've been hiking for five minutes and feel lost GO BACK to the known spot and re-evaluate. Do NOT guestimate where you think the trail is at your experience level, this is were noobies get lost and on the news.

Four quarts of water for 60-75 degree weather should be plenty.

[AmyAnn]

Thanks so much for the welcome and info!

I'll be happy to oblige with the triplogs, and I'll let you know how it goes on Sunday.

[tahosa]

I've never hiked South Mountain, so I can't help you there. If you ever want to hike the San Tans just let me know. There should be some park organized hikes coming up in January and February that I will be leading.

[AmyAnn]

Well, we made it out a bit later than we planned on and she wasn't feeling well so we only made it a few miles. Great hike though. I'm planning on going back in the next couple of weeks to get an earlier start and complete the trail.

And Joseph, thanks! I would definitely be interested. For the most part, I've been hiking by myself (which is why I've been sticking to popular trails) - it would be great to go on a led hike!

[hikeaz]

You might consider joining us on THIS hike next weekend... Contact Randy if you'd like to attend.

NATIONAL TRAIL TREK - South Mountain Park Day Hike
Saturday, Dec 19
Leader: Randy Baker (moovyoaz@earthlink.net)
Length: 14 miles (or less)
Phone: 602-616-9491
Rating: Moderate
Elev. Change: +/- 1000’
Starting from the east at the Marcos De Niza Trailhead parking area, we will hike 7 miles west to the Telegraph Pass Trail junction. Here we will stop for lunch. Then we will continue west in solitude for an additional 7 miles to the San Juan Point Trailhead and our shuttle vehicles*.
Hikers who prefer a shorter distance are welcome to join us and hike as far as they like, then return to the starting trailhead. Along the way we will see Native American pictographs, historic ruins and great city views. Be sure to bring water and lunch.

* - Please note a couple of shuttle volunteers are needed for this to work as intended.