Helipad Trail - South Mountain • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Guides 110
Routes 2,247
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,601

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 14 2025
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,601

Hiking	4.69 Miles	708 AEG

Hiking	4.69 Miles	1 Hour 50 Mns	2.65 mph
	708 ft AEG	4 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Short hike with the dog. Started from Telegraph, east on Desert Classic, Guadalupe Perimeter, up to the Helipad, then retraced our steps down. Some light rain to start, then it got sunny. I liked the rain. A ranger was hanging out at the trailhead, maybe because several vehicles have been broken into there this week. I struggle to find sympathy for people who leave their wallets in their vehicles—don’t make it easier to be a victim.

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Feb 05 2025

DesertNymph

Routes 43
Photos 2,133
Triplogs 82

female

Joined Dec 09 2024

Helipad Loop, AZ

Hiking		Feb 05 2025
		DesertNymph • Triplogs 82

Hiking	7.20 Miles	921 AEG

Hiking	7.20 Miles	2 Hrs 28 Mns	2.92 mph
	921 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Needed something short-ish and with easy ability to bail if something surfaced while trail-testing some new shoes. Realized after my last adventure out that my shoe tread was running bald in spots and the mesh uppers were starting to tear at stress points. The new kicks are definitely stiffer and feel narrower than what I've been wearing lately (different make and style), but that's what was in the closet...and at some point, that brand of boot/shoe worked for me so fingers crossed they still do.

A number of trail runners, hikers (a few with pups), and of course mountainbikers were encountered on my loop. While it was a bit warm, it didn't seem too hot to be out on the mountain this morning. Views towards phoenix and out towards the four peaks were somewhat hazy with a low blanket of ick visible over the city. Views out to the estrellas looked more clear. Occasional sounds of ongoing landscaping work filtered up into the area, but no traffic noise was apparent, which was nice. Spotted one scampering antelope squirrel, a few birds and got to follow a bevy of quail for a while - it was nice to hear their chatter.

Trails were as expected, it's a quick climb up to the helipad (no more evidence of the holidays up here, the last of the ornaments look to have been removed), and a nice ramble along the foothills of south mountain to finish off the loop.

Jury is still out on what I think about the new shoes...feet are slightly tender, but they didn't outright object to the change in footwear. Guess I'll need to get more miles in them to see!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Barrel Cactus - Compass Barrel

_____________________

Happier when hiking....I may not move fast (and I'm often distracted by wildflowers), but I'll get there eventually

1 archive

Jan 28 2025

Guides 110
Routes 2,247
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,601

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 28 2025
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,601

Hiking	4.32 Miles	615 AEG

Hiking	4.32 Miles	1 Hour 54 Mns	2.38 mph
	615 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Quick hike with the dog. Parked in the Richmond Heights neighborhood. Up Helipad, then looped around on Guadalupe Perimeter, and returned on Desert Classic. Warm, but not terrible. Lots of toppled saguaros.

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Nov 30 2024

Guides 110
Routes 2,247
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,601

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 30 2024
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,601

Hiking	2.74 Miles	462 AEG

Hiking	2.74 Miles	1 Hour 43 Mns	2.22 mph
	462 ft AEG	29 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Glorified dog walk up to the helipad. Ran into some friends up top and ended up hiking with them back to the neighborhood. Somehow got roped into agreeing to flying in a tiny plane out to an airstrip in the middle of nowhere to go target shooting. If I suddenly disappear, that’s going to be the first clue as to where to begin the search…

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

May 15 2024

mt98dew

Guides 69
Routes 37
Photos 3,010
Triplogs 2,387

55 male

Joined Oct 24 2010
Phoenix,Az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		May 15 2024
		mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387

Hiking	8.74 Miles	1,326 AEG

Hiking	8.74 Miles
	1,326 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

My thought was to do the Helipad Trail and then do some gridding of the area. Parked at the Telegraph TH and got started around 5am. Started on the Telegraph and then took the DC towards “Helipad Hill”. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised, but before I could reach (what I think of, as) the Helipad Trail, I encountered the Guadalupe Perimater Trail. I feel like this trail goes everywhere on the south side of SoMo. The Guadalupe Trail actually worked for me since I wanted to “grid” the area. I took that up to the top, briefly explored some of the trails that headed towards the homes and then came down the steeper Helipad Trail. Once I got back on the DC I headed east to the next connection to the Guadalupe Trail. Headed south from here and started to explore a network of social trails that run wild between the homes and the Guadalupe Trail. I’ve been back there once before and it feels like the “trail system” has grown. There is one wash back there, that is incredibly lush with growth. When I was back there years ago, I could have sworn that there was water trickling in the wash. Not so on this visit, the wash was dry. But the vibrancy of the plants seems to indicate that the water isn’t that far from the surface. I did a little bit of back and forth following the trails. Some headed toward homes and I did just enough to track it on my Garmin. Lot more to do in this area. I encountered 15 users altogether, 5 of which were bikers.

_____________________

2 archives

Dec 16 2023

Guides 110
Routes 2,247
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,601

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 16 2023
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,601

Hiking	2.73 Miles	495 AEG

Hiking	2.73 Miles	1 Hour 11 Mns	2.56 mph
	495 ft AEG	7 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

watermelonW

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Quick hike with Wyatt and Harlow up to the Helipad. Nice sunset. Warm.

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

1 archive

Jun 19 2023

Ray Road Access Trail - South Mountain

Guides 59
Routes 1,100
Photos 1,191
Triplogs 1,290

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Ray Road Access Trail - South Mountain

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jun 19 2023
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking	9.27 Miles	1,213 AEG

Hiking	9.27 Miles	2 Hrs 29 Mns	3.76 mph
	1,213 ft AEG	1 Min Break

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

2 archives

Jan 22 2023

Guides 110
Routes 2,247
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,601

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Telegraph-Corona loop, AZ

Hiking		Jan 22 2023
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,601

Hiking	10.00 Miles	1,825 AEG

Hiking	10.00 Miles	4 Hrs 22 Mns	2.43 mph
	1,825 ft AEG	15 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Met up with a friend and South Mtn seemed to be the best choice due to time limitations. Up Telegraph, east on National. Natl has seen some recent maintenance, probably for the recent annual trek. Down Corona. West on Desert Classic, then hopped onto Guadalupe Perimeter/Helipad before getting back on Desert Classic to finish the loop. Nothing exciting, but it’s a hike. Nice & cool temps.

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

1 archive

Dec 23 2022

Guides 110
Routes 2,247
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,601

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 23 2022
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,601

Hiking	2.74 Miles	469 AEG

Hiking	2.74 Miles	1 Hour 29 Mns	1.96 mph
	469 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

realm09

watermelonW

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Quick hike with the kids and dog up to the helipad. They like to see the Christmas tree up there. I’m fairly certain the helipad is just barely outside the park boundary, so I don’t really care if it’s there or not. Cool, but not cold.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Holiday Spirit

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Oct 29 2022

Guides 59
Routes 1,100
Photos 1,191
Triplogs 1,290

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Oct 29 2022
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking	12.56 Miles	1,331 AEG

Hiking	12.56 Miles	2 Hrs 46 Mns	4.54 mph
	1,331 ft AEG

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Meh, probably more fun in a helicopter!

2 archives

Oct 12 2022

Guides 110
Routes 2,247
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,601

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Oct 12 2022
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,601

Hiking	2.45 Miles	462 AEG

Hiking	2.45 Miles	1 Hour 10 Mns	2.33 mph
	462 ft AEG	7 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Another training hike with Harlow. Helipad trail works out well since it starts from the corner of my kids’ school. Instead of them taking the bus this morning, I let them sleep in an extra 20 minutes, then dropped them off when we parked for the hike.

Crossed back and forth between the old and new trail while heading up and down. The old trail is more direct, but steep and rocky; the new trail adds some distance, but is much smoother. As expected, saw lots of hikers, bikers, and dogs. Plenty of shade though.

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Sep 16 2022

Guides 59
Routes 1,100
Photos 1,191
Triplogs 1,290

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Helipad Trail via Telegraph Pass, AZ

Hiking		Sep 16 2022
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking	7.68 Miles	1,470 AEG

Hiking	7.68 Miles	2 Hrs 12 Mns	3.49 mph
	1,470 ft AEG

no photosets

Linked

linked

Ray Road Access Trail - South Mountain

Partners

none

no partners

Approached via Goat from Desert Classic.

2 archives

Aug 26 2022

Guides 59
Routes 1,100
Photos 1,191
Triplogs 1,290

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Helipad Happy Hour, AZ

Hiking		Aug 26 2022
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking	6.16 Miles	808 AEG

Hiking	6.16 Miles	2 Hrs 33 Mns	3.19 mph
	808 ft AEG	37 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Returned to DC via Goat.

1 archive

Feb 07 2022

Guides 110
Routes 2,247
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,601

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Telegraph-Corona loop, AZ

Hiking		Feb 07 2022
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,601

Hiking	12.26 Miles	2,284 AEG

Hiking	12.26 Miles	4 Hrs 44 Mns	2.63 mph
	2,284 ft AEG	4 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

6 linked trail guides

Holbert Trail - South Mountain

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Started up Telegraph around 0830 or so. Not many people on the trail. Warm breeze from the southeast. With these temps and wind, California could be on fire by the end of the week.

East on National, which had some nice shade. Side trip on Holbert to Dobbins Lookout. The Natives were selling jewelry in the parking lot. Once back on National, continued east, then down Corona.

Took Corona down to Desert Classic, then west on DC. Side detour on Helipad/Guadalupe Perimeter trail then back on DC to finish out the loop. Saw one trail runner twice—once on National, and once on DC, we were doing almoat the same loop in opposite directions, but I think he started from Warpaint. Warm for the last few miles.

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

3 archives

Dec 18 2021

Guides 110
Routes 2,247
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,601

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 18 2021
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,601

Hiking	4.52 Miles	661 AEG

Hiking	4.52 Miles	2 Hrs 13 Mns	2.17 mph
	661 ft AEG	8 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

realm09

watermelonW

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Evening hike with the kids up to the Helipad. Started from Telegraph and headed east on Desert Classic and Guadalupe Perimeter. There is a large Christmas tree up on the helipad, as usual. No headlamps needed thanks to the moonlight.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Holiday Spirit

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Aug 10 2021

Guides 110
Routes 2,247
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,601

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Telegraph - Corona loop, AZ

Hiking		Aug 10 2021
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,601

Hiking	9.74 Miles	1,811 AEG

Hiking	9.74 Miles	4 Hrs 2 Mns	2.46 mph
	1,811 ft AEG	4 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Started a little after 0800 and headed up Telegraph. Light rain most of the way, and the trail has definitely suffered some recent erosion.

At the pass, I hadn’t quite decided what I wanted to do today, but opted to head east on National. I like that stretch of National between Telegraph and Corona. Not much rain on that section, but a nice breeze, and patches of fog.

Headed down Corona, which is not too bad even with wet rocks since they are mostly rough. Only a few spots required caution. The clouds were moving out by that point and it was getting warmer.

West on Desert Classic, then I hopped over to the “new” Guadalupe Perimeter trail and took that west. I can’t tell if this trail is fully complete yet, because it does not match the master plan. It’s mostly just existing social trails with some new sections tied in, but it’s more enjoyable than Desert Classic. Headed up the portion that used to be Helipad, then reconnected with DC on the west side of that hill. By then, most of the clouds were gone and there was no breeze. Very muggy.

West on Desert Classic another mile or so then finished up on the paved section of Telegraph. Good day for this hike. Saw one coyote along the Helipad section, which I followed on the trail for about a quarter-mile. South Mountain is about as green as I think it can be for August.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Feb 12 2021

Guides 110
Routes 2,247
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,601

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 12 2021
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,601

Hiking	2.81 Miles	477 AEG

Hiking	2.81 Miles	1 Hour 24 Mns	2.31 mph
	477 ft AEG	11 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

realm09

watermelonW

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Short after school hike with the kids. Parked at the middle school, then followed the access behind the Richmond Heights neighborhood over to Desert Classic. Went up the new trail that leads up to the helipad. Of course, it does not have an official name yet. Apparently the guy with the bulldozer is not the same guy who puts trail stickers on posts.

The kids like this trail because it’s short and easy, and fun for them to run around the helipad. Dodging bikes gets a little annoying though. I kind of wanted to do this one to check out a house for sale in Tapestry Canyon, on the south side of the helipad, that I’ve been eyeballing for several months now—great house, but absolutely terrible lot. Looking at it from above further confirmed that opinion.

Great weather, cool and breezy with some nice clouds. Should have done a longer hike, but the kids were wanting shaved ice.

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Dec 06 2020

cw50must

Guides 11
Routes 2
Photos 3,776
Triplogs 334

48 male

Joined Jun 09 2009
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 06 2020
		cw50must • Triplogs 334

Hiking	3.04 Miles	474 AEG

Hiking	3.04 Miles
	474 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Parked at the school on the west end of DC and came in via the wash behind the houses. There is a new trail on the west end that goes up to Helipad and bypasses Goat. This would be especially helpful if you are on a bike. The trail is well constructed. It connects it as a nice loop off of DC now. I went up the new route and down Goat.

_____________________

Nov 10 2020

AugustWest

Routes 174
Photos 471
Triplogs 184

51 male

Joined Mar 16 2019
Phoenix

Night Hike On South Mountain, AZ

Hiking		Nov 10 2020
		AugustWest • Triplogs 184

Hiking	10.90 Miles	2,045 AEG

Hiking	10.90 Miles	4 Hrs 16 Mns	2.57 mph
	2,045 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

linked

National Trail - Telegraph to Pima

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Fun night hike with @LindaAnn. I spent a lot of time as a teenager and young adult running around in the mountains of Oregon and hills of Connecticut so these walks feel like I am getting something back from my youth that I have missed.

Prior to my most recent hikes on SoMo I had only been up a few times so I am incredibly grateful to have such a knowledgeable and willing guide. Nonetheless, I still have no idea where I am going

Good pace, nice temps and great company made for a perfect evening.

_____________________

Wildflower seed in the sand and wind
May the four winds blow you home again

1 archive

Nov 10 2020

Guides 110
Routes 2,247
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,601

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Telegraph-Corona Loop, AZ

Hiking		Nov 10 2020
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,601

Hiking	10.35 Miles	1,830 AEG

Hiking	10.35 Miles	4 Hrs 16 Mns	2.49 mph
	1,830 ft AEG	7 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

linked