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Mormon Trail - South Mountain - 52 members in 499 triplogs have rated this an average 3.1 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 25  Next
499 triplogs
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Jan 18 2026
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 Guides 35
 Routes 149
 Photos 1,050
 Triplogs 122

69 male
 Joined Dec 26 2018
 Phoenix, AZ
Thondum Wihom National Mormon Loop, AZ 
Thondum Wihom National Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 18 2026
GrangerGuyTriplogs 122
Hiking7.02 Miles 1,357 AEG
Hiking7.02 Miles   3 Hrs   42 Mns   2.14 mph
1,357 ft AEG      25 Mns Break
 
1st trip
The Geronimo Trail at South Mountain is no longer the Geronimo Trail. It is now officially the Thondum Wihom (TW) Trail. I parked near the Mormon Trail parking lot, which was already in overflow at sunrise on a Sunday morning. I then walked over to the TW and hiked up. I didn't see anyone on the way to the top, but once on the National Trail, I saw a bike, then a couple runners, then a couple more bikes, then a flood of bikes. The concept of Bikes yield to Pedestrians seems to not apply there. By the time I got back to Mormon Trail parking, I had passed nearly 500 people. Way too many for my tastes. At the bottom, cars were parked on the streets all over. In many places, the bikes seem to be eroding the tread at a high rate. At some point, some action will be required, or the trail will be 6 feet deep.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Lots of brittlebush.
 
Jan 15 2026
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 Guides 10
 Routes 693
 Photos 7,526
 Triplogs 4,788

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Mormon to Harvester, AZ 
Mormon to Harvester, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 15 2026
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,788
Hiking7.50 Miles 2,150 AEG
Hiking7.50 Miles   2 Hrs   23 Mns   3.15 mph
2,150 ft AEG
 
Partners none no partners
got going at the crack of noon
up mormon, national to bv lookout, up to harvester benchmark and back the same way
quite a few people out
nice afternoon, good hike
_____________________
hazhole
 
Dec 27 2025
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 Guides 29
 Routes 424
 Photos 6,731
 Triplogs 390

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Marcos - Mormon Double Double, AZ 
SoMo Marcos - Mormon Double Double, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 27 2025
John10sTriplogs 390
Hiking12.79 Miles 3,201 AEG
Hiking12.79 Miles   3 Hrs   50 Mns   3.41 mph
3,201 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
We got started a little before 10AM, and Pima Canyon was packed, with almost all the road spots taken in addition to the lot. That, of course, translated into very busy trails. The tourists were out in full force...someone stopped me on National and asked, "Is this the way to the rock formation?" When I asked which one, she said, "Any." If you're looking for any rock formation, I guess you're in luck.

TBK wanted to go all the way down to Mormon TH, so I went ahead and did two laps down and back up. The crowds were terrible--I think I preferred the Santas last week. On the hike out, I did a second lap on Marcos de Niza to make it a double-double. Aside from the crowded trails, it was a nice day to be outside--there were scattered clouds throughout, but very little haze and temps in the upper 60s.
 
Dec 25 2025
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 Guides 72
 Routes 1,175
 Photos 1,481
 Triplogs 1,525

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Mormon Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 25 2025
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,525
Hiking
Hiking
 
no photosets
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
apparently this member prefers to keep an air of mystery...
  1 archive
Dec 20 2025
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 Guides 29
 Routes 424
 Photos 6,731
 Triplogs 390

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 20 2025
John10sTriplogs 390
Hiking10.59 Miles 2,487 AEG
Hiking10.59 Miles   3 Hrs   22 Mns   3.16 mph
2,487 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
Got started ~7:30AM...cool start to the day in the upper 40s/low 50s. Trails were busy, with an impressive number of people in Santa hats/full suits. Got stuck in a traffic jam of 30+ Santas coming back up Mormon Trail that must've been a holiday-themed Meet Up--that was pretty annoying...Santas aren't known for being particularly fleet afoot. Very comfortable morning and still crowded when we finished.
 
Dec 12 2025
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 Guides 29
 Routes 424
 Photos 6,731
 Triplogs 390

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 12 2025
John10sTriplogs 390
Hiking10.67 Miles 2,459 AEG
Hiking10.67 Miles   3 Hrs   26 Mns   3.12 mph
2,459 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
Got out for an afternoon hike on a warm day that felt more like spring than mid-December with temps pushing 80° and some flowers blooming. The sky was mostly clear to the east but very hazy looking north/northwest toward downtown. There were quite a few bikers and a fair number hikers out on the trails, and we finished a little before sunset on a nice day.
 
Dec 01 2025
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 Guides 10
 Routes 693
 Photos 7,526
 Triplogs 4,788

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Hidden Valley via Mormon TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 01 2025
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,788
Hiking4.00 Miles 1,000 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles
1,000 ft AEG
 
Partners none no partners
Met up with claud at 0800
Mormon trail, natural tunnel, hidden valley, fat man's pass and back
A couple little side trips
She thinks we did this 15 or 20 years ago
Fun morning, not too crowded until the return on Mormon trail
_____________________
hazhole
 
Nov 18 2025
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 Guides 10
 Routes 693
 Photos 7,526
 Triplogs 4,788

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Mormon Loop TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
 Hiking avatar Nov 18 2025
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,788
 Hiking6.05 Miles 1,336 AEG
 Hiking6.05 Miles
1,336 ft AEG
 
mormon loop with a side of hidden valley
got started around 1000
it was moist
clouds were 8)
_____________________
hazhole
 
Nov 14 2025
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 Guides 29
 Routes 424
 Photos 6,731
 Triplogs 390

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Nov 14 2025
John10sTriplogs 390
Hiking10.51 Miles 2,198 AEG
Hiking10.51 Miles   3 Hrs   15 Mns   3.27 mph
2,198 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
I got a little bit later start than usual at ~9AM, but the weather was nice and the trails were more crowded than expected for a Friday morning. There were several classrooms' worth of young kids (field trip?) clogging National near the Pima Wash/Javelina intersection, so that was annoying. Otherwise, pretty typical morning at SoMo. I didn't see any blood remaining on Mormon Trail from my last visit, and I avoided any rock collisions today, so that was a step in the right direction.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Hidden Valley Tunnel
 
Oct 31 2025
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 Guides 10
 Routes 693
 Photos 7,526
 Triplogs 4,788

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Mormon Loop TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 31 2025
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,788
Hiking8.10 Miles 1,316 AEG
Hiking8.10 Miles
1,316 ft AEG
 
mid morning workout hike on mormon loop
sunset hike with sue in papago park
_____________________
hazhole
 
Oct 25 2025
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 Guides 29
 Routes 424
 Photos 6,731
 Triplogs 390

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 25 2025
John10sTriplogs 390
Hiking10.01 Miles 1,923 AEG
Hiking10.01 Miles   2 Hrs   59 Mns   3.41 mph
1,923 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I headed out for an early hike at SoMo, starting around sunrise. Weekend crowds were in full force--I passed 20+ people along Marcos de Niza, and there was a big running group getting started near the National/Javelina Canyon intersection that fortunately went a different way. Along Mormon Loop, I came across a snake eating a lizard in the middle of the trail. I almost missed it until a trail runner pointed it out--he said it came tumbling down the trail in front him.

On my way down to Mormon TH, I accidentally grazed my upper shin on a rock as I passed someone. It hurt, but I didn't think much of it until I felt the warmth of blood running down my leg...lots of it. I figured it was one of those minor scrapes that looks worse than it is and I'd wash it off after the hike, so I kept going down to the TH and started back up. Meanwhile, blood was soaking into my sock/boot, and someone finally commented, "Sir, you're bleeding!" as I passed. Yeah, I noticed that, too...

A few miles later, I finally took a closer look at the cut and realized it was deeper than I thought and might require stitches. By the time I finished the hike, my boot looked like a murder scene. I went to urgent care later, and sure enough, three stitches...dumbest hiking accident ever. Nice morning to be outside other than the minor brush with the rock.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  HAZ - Hike HAZard
 
Oct 19 2025
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 Guides 29
 Routes 424
 Photos 6,731
 Triplogs 390

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 19 2025
John10sTriplogs 390
Hiking10.48 Miles 2,210 AEG
Hiking10.48 Miles   3 Hrs   17 Mns   3.19 mph
2,210 ft AEG
 
First time back at SoMo since the big rain last weekend, and it was the most crowded I've seen it this season...seems like everyone has realized the mornings are finally comfortable. It was noticeably greener than my last time out here, with grass growing in a few places, and even that prior visit was looking better after the September rains. Lots of washouts and erosion after the big storms, especially in Hidden Valley. We stopped by a few petroglyphs that TBK hadn't seen before, but otherwise a pretty typical SoMo morning.
 
Oct 08 2025
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 Guides 10
 Routes 693
 Photos 7,526
 Triplogs 4,788

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Mormon to Harvester, AZ 
Mormon to Harvester, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 08 2025
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,788
Hiking7.61 Miles 2,165 AEG
Hiking7.61 Miles   2 Hrs   22 Mns   3.24 mph
2,165 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
mid morning start time
still nice enough
mormon trail, national west, harvester benchmark, buena vista lookout
at the saddle, took the use trail to the south overlook
hadn't done that before, nice little viewpoint
back on national and mormon
_____________________
hazhole
 
Aug 27 2025
avatar

 Guides 10
 Routes 693
 Photos 7,526
 Triplogs 4,788

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Mormon Loop TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 27 2025
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,788
Hiking5.00 Miles 1,180 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles   1 Hour   34 Mns   3.19 mph
1,180 ft AEG
 
Partners none no partners
workout hike
crossed paths on mormon trail with @john10s and @tbonekathy - nice to see you both!
_____________________
hazhole
 
Aug 27 2025
avatar

 Guides 29
 Routes 424
 Photos 6,731
 Triplogs 390

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 27 2025
John10sTriplogs 390
Hiking10.31 Miles 2,283 AEG
Hiking10.31 Miles   3 Hrs   17 Mns   3.19 mph
2,283 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Started from Pima Canyon Trailhead around 6AM, and it was a cooler morning in the upper 70s, but still very humid. There were surprisingly few people out on a relatively nice morning for August. SoMo clearly got quite a bit of rain in the big storm on Monday--there were lots of little washouts along the trails and down in Pima Wash, a few remaining puddles with standing water, and millipedes enjoying the lingering moisture. Didn't see much wildlife but crossed paths with @trekkin_gecko on the way back up from Mormon Trailhead.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Millipede
 
Jul 12 2025
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 Guides 29
 Routes 424
 Photos 6,731
 Triplogs 390

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 12 2025
John10sTriplogs 390
Hiking10.43 Miles 2,249 AEG
Hiking10.43 Miles   3 Hrs   34 Mns   3.16 mph
2,249 ft AEG      16 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Back to SoMo for another lap through Hidden Valley/Mormon, starting around 6AM. The trails weren't too busy, and it wasn't ridiculously hot but humid enough that I was sweating a lot. Not much to note out there today--saw a jackrabbit but no particularly interesting wildlife, and it was in the low 90s by the end.
 
Jul 09 2025
avatar

 Guides 10
 Routes 693
 Photos 7,526
 Triplogs 4,788

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Mormon Loop TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 09 2025
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,788
Hiking5.00 Miles 1,180 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles   1 Hour   33 Mns   3.23 mph
1,180 ft AEG
 
Partners none no partners
workout hike
slow
already warm at 0620
not many people out which is nice
_____________________
hazhole
  2 archives
Jul 04 2025
avatar

 Guides 29
 Routes 424
 Photos 6,731
 Triplogs 390

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 04 2025
John10sTriplogs 390
Hiking10.02 Miles 2,210 AEG
Hiking10.02 Miles   3 Hrs   22 Mns   3.08 mph
2,210 ft AEG      7 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
We got out for a morning hike on the Fourth of July, starting around 6AM from Pima Canyon. It was in the upper 70s but a little humid as we got going, and there weren't many other people out there on the holiday enjoying the relatively cool weather. We stuck to the usual route through Hidden Valley we've done a lot recently, and the trails remained relatively quiet throughout. It was still only in the upper 80s when we finished ~9:30AM, so not a bad morning to be outside.
  1 archive
Jun 28 2025
avatar

 Guides 29
 Routes 424
 Photos 6,731
 Triplogs 390

41 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ 
SoMo Hidden Valley Mormon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 28 2025
John10sTriplogs 390
Hiking10.35 Miles 2,196 AEG
Hiking10.35 Miles   3 Hrs   28 Mns   3.06 mph
2,196 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
It had been a while since I'd hiked with TboneKathy, so when she said she was heading to SoMo on Saturday morning, I told her I'd join and set an alarm even though sleeping in sounded very tempting. It had been ~6 weeks since we were at South Mountain together, and since our creativity apparently hasn't improved during that time, we defaulted to the same route we hiked often in the spring , through Hidden Valley and over toward Mormon Trailhead. Pretty typical day on the trails...medium-busy, toasty but not ridiculously hot for June, in the mid-90s when we finished around 9:30AM.
 
Jun 16 2025
avatar

 Guides 10
 Routes 693
 Photos 7,526
 Triplogs 4,788

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Mormon to Harvester, AZ 
Mormon to Harvester, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 16 2025
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,788
Hiking7.42 Miles 1,519 AEG
Hiking7.42 Miles   2 Hrs   18 Mns   3.27 mph
1,519 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
0700 start time at mormon trail
went west on national, up to the benchmark then to buena vista lookout
same way back
i've been avoiding hidden valley since i got stung by a bee right in the neck a few weeks ago
even though that bee is dead by now, there might be more bees :lol:
good hike, slightly different combo
saw a few hikers starting out on mormon trail but only mountain bikers on national then no one else
should be starting earlier, but wanted to see what the heat closure on mormon trail looked like
gate to parking lot was closed, my car was the only one left
it would be very easy to park in the street and hike
no enforcement
saw one chuckwalla far away
lots of doves snacking on saguaro fruit
_____________________
hazhole
 
average hiking speed 2.14 mph
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 25  Next

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.

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