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A classic tour through the best of the best on South Mountain Park's eastern side.


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Map Key

10.1

Miles

16.2

KM

94%

Runnable

2,360' 719 m

High

1,371' 418 m

Low

1,153' 351 m

Up

1,156' 352 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

The entrance gates for trailheads at South Mountain Park are only open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you park your car at a trailhead before 7 p.m, you're welcome to use the park until the trails close at 11 p.m.

Overview

South Mountain Park - East Tour is a great run for those looking to experience all the Sonoran Desert has to offer in one of the biggest city parks in the nation. Nestled within its broad canyons and mountain ranges, a host of diverse wildlife and desert flora dominate the landscape. This run takes you through some of the best trails on the eastern side of the park, all of which are doable by anyone of reasonable fitness. In a nutshell, this run will take you along canyon bottoms and atop ridgelines that culminate in expansive views of Phoenix and the entire Valley of the Sun. On your return, a unique detour through Hidden Valley and the famed Fat Man's Pass makes for a delightful experience and will leave everyone in your group smiling the whole way back to the car.

Need to Know

Make sure to bring plenty of water on this run. Local wisdom suggests each person in your party should bring at least 4 liters of water during the summer, and 2-3 liters during the spring, fall, and winter. Improper hydration coupled with the Phoenix area's intense heat and demanding terrain can spell trouble for even the most seasoned desert runner.

Description

Starting from the Pima Canyon Parking Area, follow the Pima Wash Trail for just a few meters, dropping down into the wash only to quickly exit on the opposite side on the Pima West Loop. Continue left on the Pima Wash Loop, climbing a gentle slope near scenic rock outcroppings over the crest of a small ridge and down into Beverly Canyon.

Upon reaching a T-intersection with the Beverly Canyon Trail, veer left and follow the trail for a short distance before turning right onto the Ridgeline Trail.

On the Ridgeline Trail, get ready for some mild elevation gain as the trail ascends the ridgeline to eventually tread along the top. Up here, visitors are afforded great views of the eastern portion of South Mountain Park, as well as the steady inclines and gorgeous views awaiting them to the west.

After roughly half an hour of running, the Ridgeline Trail ends in a T-intersection with the Javelina Canyon Trail. From here, take a left and follow the Javelina Canyon Trail for just a few moments before it ends in a junction with the Mormon Loop Trail. Pursue the Mormon Loop Trail to the right as it gains a ridgeline in the shadow of Two Peaks before reaching a junction with the Mormon Trail. Turn left onto the Mormon Trail and continue on it for just a few short minutes to a junction with the National Trail. Take a right onto the National Trail.

On the upper portion of the National Trail, expect to navigate a rather rocky trail surface complete with numerous rock-step sections interspersed amongst an often-sandy trail.

After climbing on the National Trail for roughly 2 miles, you'll reach both the turnaround point and one of the major highlights of the run: Buena Vista Viewpoint. Situated in a prime location on the park's northern aspect, the Buena Vista Viewpoint offers visitors spectacular panoramic views of the Phoenix Metro and its surrounding Sonoran Desert landscape. This is a great spot to sit down, pull out some water and a snack, and enjoy the view you just worked so hard to achieve!

When you're ready to depart, simply follow the National Trail back down the way you came nearly all the way to the junction with the Hidden Valley Trail. At the junction, step off down the path through hidden valley, and prepare for arguably the most famous feature on this side of the park: Fat Man's Pass.

Aptly named, Fat Man's Pass consists of a pinch point on the trail created by two large boulders in incredibly close proximity to each other. At certain points on this short section of trail, the distance between the boulders is no more than a foot, prompting runners to turn sideways and suck it in as much as they can in order to inch through. While in writing, this only sounds possible for endurance runners or small children, most normal people can fit through without any issues. For those who prefer to not attempt Fat Man's Pass, there is a go-around that follows the perimeter of the left boulder.

Once on the opposite side of Fat Man's Pass, follow the Hidden Valley Trail through a craggy, rock-strewn canyon to a point where the trail pops out of the canyon into a T-junction with the National Trail. From here, trend right and enjoy the downhill all the way back down the National Trail as you reminisce on the fun you just had smooshing your body through the tight walls of Fat Man's Pass.

Upon reaching the end of the National Trail, stay right at a junction with the Mormon Loop Trail, continuing on just a few meters until reaching the junction with the Pima Wash Trail and your next turn. Follow the Pima Wash Trail along a sandy wash bottom back to the first junction of the day. Turn right at the junction, and in a few short steps, you'll be back in the Pima Canyon Parking Area.

Contacts

Shared By:

Hunter R

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 13 votes

#1604

Overall
  4.4 from 13 votes
5 Star
46%
4 Star
46%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#75

in Arizona

#1,604

Overall
272 Views Last Month
4,242 Since Dec 1, 2016
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
17%
83%
0%

Photos

Not sure if these carvings/markings in the stone are real or not, but they are protected by a man made wooden barrier, so maybe...
Feb 14, 2019 near Guadalupe, AZ
Coyote in Pima Canyon
Feb 24, 2020 near Guadalupe, AZ
On the back side of this formation, the wash has carved a shallow cave into the rock. You'll see it coming down from the JC trail peak.
Feb 14, 2019 near Guadalupe, AZ
From Javelina Trailhead UP the Ridgeline Trail to view north and east of the Phoenix Valley. It's worth the steep climb.
Apr 19, 2019 near Guadalupe, AZ
Sunrise
May 7, 2015 near Guadalupe, AZ
Enjoy this pleasant view of South Mountain Park and the Phoenix Metro from the top of Mormon Trail.
Feb 11, 2017 near Guadalupe, AZ

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