Pima Wash - South Mountain • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Hidden Valley via Guadalupe Ridge

Hidden Valley via San Gabriel

San Gabriel Ridge

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Took advantage of cloud cover to enjoy a morning jaunt in the desert. Saw a benchmark on the map and went over to look for it. I was a little surprised to find it intact. Headed down Hidden Valley all the way for the first time in a hot minute. Always a pleasure in there.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Benchmark

_____________________

I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

Apr 07 2025

Guides 110
Routes 2,246
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,600

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Beacon Hill - South Mountain

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 07 2025
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600

Hiking	6.56 Miles	1,046 AEG

Hiking	6.56 Miles	2 Hrs 17 Mns	2.94 mph
	1,046 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

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7 linked trail guides

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trekkin_gecko

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

Met Kelly at Pima Cyn at 0730. From the trailhead, we took Beacon Hill trail west, then west on Ridgeline. Continued west on Mormon Loop/Javelina/National. Dropped into Hidden Valley and headed back east. Encountered one lost hiker near the dryfall. He followed us for a moment, then managed to get lost again. Hmmm. Stayed in the wash below Hidden Valley, then finished on Pima Wash. Good workout loop. Fun to see Kelly again!

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Apr 07 2025

trekkin_gecko

Guides 10
Routes 673
Photos 7,281
Triplogs 4,660

67 female

Joined Nov 17 2008
phoenix, az

Beacon Hill - South Mountain

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 07 2025
		trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,660

Hiking	6.56 Miles	1,046 AEG

Hiking	6.56 Miles	2 Hrs 17 Mns	2.94 mph
	1,046 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

no routes

no photosets

Linked

7 linked trail guides

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LindaAnn

met up with linda at pima at 0730
beacon hill, ridgeline, mormon loop, national
hidden valley, where we tried to redirect a guy at the drop off
linda suggested finishing in lower hidden valley and pima wash
i don't do those often, so this was a fun combo
good to catch up with linda - it's been a few weeks

_____________________

hazhole

Mar 01 2025

John10s

Guides 25
Routes 376
Photos 5,897
Triplogs 346

40 male

Joined Mar 01 2018
Chandler, AZ

Buena Vista Lookout via Guadalupe Ridge, AZ

Hiking		Mar 01 2025
		John10s • Triplogs 346

Hiking	11.08 Miles	1,538 AEG

Hiking	11.08 Miles	5 Hrs 56 Mns	2.14 mph
	1,538 ft AEG	45 Mns Break

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TboneKathy

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

A windy forecast blew away other plans for the afternoon, so we headed to South Mountain early, right at peak crowd time just after sunrise. We were lucky to get a spot along the road just outside the Pima Canyon entrance, then walked up the road, hiked up Marcos de Niza, and continued along Guadalupe Ridge. I hadn't hiked that stretch in over a year, but it's a fun section with some scrambling. I noticed a weather station off the trail and checked that out, and we stopped near the Harvester BM for a snack.

Nice break, then a woman walked up and immediately started telling us how this peak was a special place of prayer, and people place rocks there. That was followed by, "I don't know if you're Christian, but...", and she launched into a story about how there was a religious movement out there today. Break over, time to move along. That was a new one...

We continued on to Buena Vista Lookout...lots of vehicles, and apparently Geronimo Trail has been renamed Thondum Wihom Trail since I was last there, with a new sign and updated posts. We turned around there and headed back on National, through Hidden Valley, then Pima Wash and the road. Hazy, but nice day to be outside, done before the winds really picked up, and crowds weren't too bad along Guadalupe Ridge.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Benchmark Inscriptions

1 archive

Feb 11 2025

Guides 1
Routes 148
Photos 9,924
Triplogs 3,652

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 11 2025
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	3.50 Miles	647 AEG

Hiking	3.50 Miles	1 Hour 32 Mns	2.28 mph
	647 ft AEG

no routes

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A late start for me. It felt warmer then it was. I wandered around Pima wash telling the vegetation to hold on, rain was coming! I thought I would get a warm reception but they didn't believe me.

I haven't had that much sand kicked in my face since I use to get bullied on the beaches of California!!

Hopefully after the end of the week I can go back and tell them, I told you so!!

_____________________

Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

Jan 29 2025

DesertNymph

Routes 43
Photos 2,120
Triplogs 81

female

Joined Dec 09 2024

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 29 2025
		DesertNymph • Triplogs 81

Hiking	6.75 Miles	856 AEG

Hiking	6.75 Miles	2 Hrs 50 Mns	2.41 mph
	856 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

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A quick-ish jaunt around South Mountain...while it is more conveniently located to me, I greatly prefer the isolation and less traffic of other areas not too much further away.

Waited until the weather radar showed I was all clear for any sprinkles before heading to the trailhead (I willingly admit that I think 40 degree temps + precipitation is my least favorite for hiking). The parking lot didn't have too many cars, not unexpected given that it was mid afternoon when I arrived.

My selected route was out Pima wash, up the Javalina Connector to Mormon Loop, out National to drop through Fat Mans Pass and Hidden Valley before returning via the National Trail.

While the area got "rain", it was probably more like light sprinkles (so I was probably being overly cautious before heading out for a walk) - the trails were completely dry and passing mountain bikes kicked up a plume.

The trail includes expansive views of Phoenix, and in some areas, it picks up a surprising amount of traffic noise from below. South Mountain is definitely not the place to go for solitude. I lost track of how many mountain bikers and other hikers I saw. More interestingly, I caught sight of an adorable antelope squirrel, though was not fast enough to capture it with a photo.

A hike on the mountainside beats a wander around the neighborhood!

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
spotted one ocotillo trying really really hard....otherwise, the only blooms I saw were the brittle bush and creosote with city irrigation

_____________________

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

2 archives

Jan 14 2025

Guides 110
Routes 2,246
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,600

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 14 2025
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600

Hiking	6.24 Miles	1,120 AEG

Hiking	6.24 Miles	2 Hrs 55 Mns	2.20 mph
	1,120 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

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Tortoise_Hiker

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

Met Denny at Pima Cyn a little before 0800 and headed up Marcos De Niza. Chatted with @johnlp for a few minutes. Continued up the ridge, then dropped down at the stone buildings. Up Mormon Loop/Javelina. Saw three coyotes, one of which was limping. Took some time to get some pics.

Came down National, then Pima Wash. Delightfully cool temps. As always, great to hike with Denny, and fun conversation!

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Coyote

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Jan 14 2025

Guides 1
Routes 148
Photos 9,924
Triplogs 3,652

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 14 2025
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	6.24 Miles	1,120 AEG

Hiking	6.24 Miles	2 Hrs 55 Mns	2.20 mph
	1,120 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

no routes

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LindaAnn

I met Linda around 8 for a South Mountain hike. I brought gloves and a beanie expecting it to be freezing but didn’t need them. LoL
Lp caught up and passed us in the first half mile on his way to a bigger hike. Good to see you, my friend! Linda and I saw some coyotes on the Mormon Loop. We saw some dove pretending to be quail as they were in a covey of about 20.

Weather was actually pretty nice as was the trail, company, and conversation!
Thanks Linda! Like HAZ, you rock!

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Coyote

_____________________

Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

Jan 07 2025

Guides 110
Routes 2,246
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,600

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 07 2025
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600

Hiking	8.59 Miles	1,486 AEG

Hiking	8.59 Miles	3 Hrs 51 Mns	2.27 mph
	1,486 ft AEG	4 Mns Break

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Hidden Valley via Guadalupe Ridge

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

I was originally going to hike Camelback this morning, but decided I don’t really like that mountain. Besides if the facebook lunatic’s weather forecast comes true (it’s not), we’re all going to die of a windstorm or Valley Fever tonight, and I really don’t want Camelback to be my final hike. Plus I didn’t feel like hiking around a ton of people.

Got started from Pima Canyon around 0745, headed up Marcos de Niza. Cool and cloudy, so I was happy. Continued up Guadalupe Ridge. Very few hikers until I reached National. The local nursing homes must be trying to free up space, and seem to have sent all the residents out to hike National, in hopes they don’t all make it back. I passed two large, very slow, groups and managed to keep the chit chat to a minimum as I jogged past, slowing down as soon as they could no longer see I hate running.

Headed down Hidden Valley. One guy tried to mansplain the best route thru the dryfall. His opinion of the best route was 100% wrong, and I continued along the actual best route. I don’t think I will ever be inclined to take route advice from hikers wearing jeans, that’s an instant disqualification. After the tunnel, I stayed in the wash the rest of the way down, then returned to the trailhead on Pima Wash.

On the way home, I stopped by a Circle K and pulled into the first row of dispensers. A guy on the other side of the fuel island told me I was at the wrong spot and only the last row on the other side had diesel

. He looked very doubtful when I said I absolutely wanted to get gas, since I have been putting gas in this truck for two years now and I’m pretty sure adding diesel would cause a problem. I have lost track of how many times I’ve had this exact conversation…

So much for avoiding people today, but still a good workout. The clouds mostly stuck around, which was a bonus.

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Sep 08 2024

johnlp

Guides 1
Routes 14
Photos 7,202
Triplogs 5,208

68 male

Joined Mar 16 2008
chandler,az

San Gabriel Ridge

San Gabriel Ridge

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Sep 08 2024
		johnlp • Triplogs 5,208

Hiking	4.44 Miles	1,060 AEG

Hiking	4.44 Miles
	1,060 ft AEG

no routes

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_____________________

“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson

Aug 15 2024

Guides 1
Routes 148
Photos 9,924
Triplogs 3,652

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 15 2024
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	5.00 Miles	690 AEG

Hiking	5.00 Miles	1 Hour 58 Mns	2.54 mph
	690 ft AEG

no routes

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Sunrise hike. Is it sad that waking up early to pee decides whether I go hiking or not?

well, I had to go so I went.

Gate was open early. Starting hiking about 5am. I took the old dirt road to National then up to see the sunrise. Wanted to stay in the 5 mile - 2 hour range so I turned around when I figured I needed to. I took Pima Wash back. Enjoyable outing and another sweat fest!

_____________________

Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

Aug 07 2024

John10s

Guides 25
Routes 376
Photos 5,897
Triplogs 346

40 male

Joined Mar 01 2018
Chandler, AZ

SoMo Sampler via Pima Canyon, AZ

Hiking		Aug 07 2024
		John10s • Triplogs 346

Hiking	14.48 Miles	2,159 AEG

Hiking	14.48 Miles	3 Hrs 32 Mns	4.12 mph
	2,159 ft AEG	1 Min Break

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10 linked trail guides

Beverly Canyon Trail

Beacon Hill - South Mountain

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

When I left the house first thing in the morning, there was a huge tree branch down in the front yard courtesy of the storms that blew through last night. On the plus side, the storms also brought a little cooler weather, and it was ~80° when I started hiking--the coolest outdoor temperatures I've experienced in a few months, and it felt great despite the humidity. It was still cloudy when I set out from Pima Canyon, which made for a nice sunrise, and there was some lightning to the southeast before the sun came up.

There were noticeably more people than usual out on the trails enjoying the cooler morning--I passed ~10 people in the first few miles. As the sky got lighter and I gained a little elevation on National Trail, it looked like there may be rain coming in from the southeast, so I changed plans and decided to stay closer to the trailhead and avoid possibly getting stuck 5+ miles away if started pouring. I headed back toward the TH through Pima Wash, then onto Beacon Hill and up Ridgeline. By that time, it looked like the rain had passed to the west, so I ventured farther from the TH again and followed Javelina Canyon and Mormon Loop to National, then turned around at the intersection with Guadalupe Ridge. Not the route I'd planned when I started, but nice to get back on some trails I hadn't hiked in a year or more. I finished ~8:30AM, and the parking lot still had quite a few cars.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Horned Lizard

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Graffiti

Jul 10 2024

overthehillsfarawa

Routes 7
Photos 240
Triplogs 19

male

Joined Nov 24 2023
Tempe, AZ

South Mtn - Ntl to JC petroglyphs, AZ

Run/Jog		Jul 10 2024
		overthehillsfarawa • Triplogs 19

Run/Jog	6.10 Miles	942 AEG

Run/Jog	6.10 Miles	1 Hour 22 Mns	4.46 mph
	942 ft AEG

no routes

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Took my phone back out to some areas I had come across petroglyphs recently. National out to Javelina Canyon, and back via Pima Wash. Skipped reposting the Pima Wash petroglyphs which I just triplogged with a photoset last week.
Meant to head north and loop around Javelina Canyon trail back to the lot but went the wrong way so it became an out and back. Spotted lots of promising areas to explore soon for more art.

Jul 03 2024

overthehillsfarawa

Routes 7
Photos 240
Triplogs 19

male

Joined Nov 24 2023
Tempe, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Jul 03 2024
		overthehillsfarawa • Triplogs 19

Run/Jog	4.50 Miles	940 AEG

Run/Jog	4.50 Miles	58 Mns	4.66 mph
	940 ft AEG

no routes

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Been through before but either in the dark or staring too much at my feet and missed all the petroglyphs. Lovely morning (if hot and sticky) to go photo them. More in the area I need to go back and find. Quite a bit of historical graffiti, years before the big crews of CCC workers would have been camped there during the 1930s. Oldest I found was 1912, 12 years before it even became a park.. Would have been a pretty remote desolate area to get to back then.

1 archive

Apr 30 2024

Guides 1
Routes 148
Photos 9,924
Triplogs 3,652

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 30 2024
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	6.80 Miles	875 AEG

Hiking	6.80 Miles	2 Hrs 24 Mns	2.83 mph
	875 ft AEG

no routes

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_____________________

Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

Dec 22 2023

Guides 1
Routes 148
Photos 9,924
Triplogs 3,652

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 22 2023
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	5.50 Miles	864 AEG

Hiking	5.50 Miles	2 Hrs 22 Mns	2.32 mph
	864 ft AEG

no routes

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I headed over to South Mountain to see how Pima Wash was handling the rain. It seemed to be soaking most of it up. I stayed in the wash and kept hiking up past the intersection with the National trail. As I got farther up I could hear some jubilant singing going on. It turned out to be the granddaddy Bursera tree singing and dancing in the rain.

It’s been so long since we have had a good rain, I can see why!

My camera was getting wet and by the time I got it to work it had stopped. It did look pretty happy though. Not to long after that the fog moved in. I climbed out of the wash by Hidden Valley and headed back on National. I was hoping to see the wash running. Maybe if it rains harder later it will. I was soaked by now and headed back to the trailhead. Another nice outing at South Mountain!

_____________________

Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

Nov 10 2023

Guides 110
Routes 2,246
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,600

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Marcos-Ridgeline loop, AZ

Hiking		Nov 10 2023
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600

Hiking	3.88 Miles	830 AEG

Hiking	3.88 Miles	1 Hour 47 Mns	2.33 mph
	830 ft AEG	7 Mns Break

no photosets

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Tortoise_Hiker

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

The parking lot looked like a zoo at 0900. I managed to squeeze the truck into the last available spot in the lot. Denny parked way over in Guadalupe. Spent a few minutes people watching near the restrooms while Denny made his way over. One guy did not like my hat. One woman was anxiously awaiting the arrival of a hiking partner she had never met before and wasn’t sure if she would be able to spot her with all the people around. When the second woman arrived, she had purple hair. I feel like that narrows down the possibilities???

Denny and I headed up Marcos and stayed on the ridge, dropping down at the rock buildings. A few steps on Natl, Mormon Loop, and Javelina before heading back east on Ridgeline. I’ve not been keeping up with the routing changes on Ridgeline, will have to head over there again soon and fully follow the current route. Finished up on Pima Wash. Despite the crowds, our route didn’t have too many hikers, most were over on the road. One woman liked my shirt, which evens out the prior dislike of my hat. Denny said I’m more polite than Bruce, not that I’m keeping score or anything…

Nice temps most of the way, warming up by the finish. Good to see Denny again!

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Nov 10 2023

Guides 1
Routes 148
Photos 9,924
Triplogs 3,652

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Marcos-Ridgeline loop, AZ

Hiking		Nov 10 2023
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	4.30 Miles	860 AEG

Hiking	4.30 Miles	1 Hour 53 Mns	2.43 mph
	860 ft AEG	7 Mns Break

no routes

no photosets

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LindaAnn

I met Linda for a hike at South Mountain. The parking lot was super busy but the trails we did, were not. Trails were in good shape and hikers, bikers and dogs seemed friendly enough

. Nice enjoyable outing and the weather and company were top notch!

Thanks for the hike Linda! Like HAZ, you rock!

_____________________

Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

Aug 20 2023

Guides 1
Routes 148
Photos 9,924
Triplogs 3,652

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 20 2023
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	6.50 Miles	849 AEG

Hiking	6.50 Miles	2 Hrs 36 Mns	2.50 mph
	849 ft AEG

no routes

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Hit the trail early thinking it might rain at some point. My clothes were soaked when I finished but not from the few sprinkles I got

. Pretty humid out there! It was nice to have the cloud cover all morning. I saw a nice sunrise, rainbow, and a snake that I wasn't sure if it was alive. I didn't mess with it to find out. Enjoyed getting out but that's about my limit in this heat!

Maybe a little less without the clouds!

_____________________

Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

Aug 13 2023

Guides 1
Routes 148
Photos 9,924
Triplogs 3,652

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 13 2023
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	6.00 Miles	734 AEG

Hiking	6.00 Miles	2 Hrs 20 Mns	2.57 mph
	734 ft AEG

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