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A loop run in a tiny desert in the city.


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Map Key

2.0

Miles

3.3

KM

99%

Runnable

1,242' 379 m

High

1,169' 356 m

Low

109' 33 m

Up

111' 34 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

7%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Unknown

Overview

A fun and mostly easy loop in south Papago Park.

Need to Know

Bring good shoes—lots of loose gravel and jagged rocks.

Description

This trail is pretty easy. There are a few moderately steep sections, but mostly just minor ups/downs. The trail is easy enough to follow and could be done without a map after a few times around it, but there are lots of side trails, so I suggest using GPS or using the Trail Run Project mobile app for the first few runs in the park.

The views are pretty good; they would be better without the power lines and nearby roads. One drawback I noticed was that there are a lot of campers (homeless) in the park and a fair amount of trash in spots.

There is a large parking lot at the trailhead, so easy to get in/out. From the wide parking connector, you cross Curry Road on the Lizard Trail which you'll follow for the first part of your run. You then connect to the Cactus Trail and can choose to take the main trail or one of the alternates for a bit more variety. Eventually, you'll connect back to the Lizard Trail to return to the parking area.

Flora & Fauna

Desert stuff. There be burrow-y creatures —watch out for holes on the trail edges.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jesse Smith

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#4

in Papago Park

#5109

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Recommended Route Rankings

#4

in Papago Park

#199

in Arizona

#5,109

Overall
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617 Since Apr 9, 2019
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Photos

Looking west from high point on Cactus Trail
Apr 9, 2019 near Tempe J…, AZ
Looking east from high point on Cactus Trail - the next segment from here goes through the notch in the rock outcropping
Apr 9, 2019 near Tempe J…, AZ

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