Piestewa

View of Camelback Mtn.
from Piestewa Peak

Last weekend we opted to try a new hike. One training blog we read mentioned that a hiker did the Summit Trail on Piestewa Peak twice and then the Circumference Trail (now called Freedom Trail) around the mountain. That was our plan. (This Friday we hike GC for the third time in ten months so this was our last training hike.)

We started at the trail head about 6:30 a.m. figuring that the trail would be as popular as Camelback so parking would be an issue. The Phoenix Mountain Preserves is laid out nicely but we still found that parking filled quickly. It also was a sunny, warm day with mid-day temps getting in the mid-80's. Another reason to start early in the day.

Downtown Phoenix from the
Summit Trail, Piestewa Peak

The trail is very well defined and, in most places, wide enough to pass hikers without having to stop. It is, however, a jagged staircase (see video below) for a majority of the climb. There are only 2-3 places where my vertically challenged legs had to make a larger than comfortable step, but even those steps were fairly easy.

I've mentioned before that I'm a "Sunday afternoon hiker" so we were pleased when we made it to the summit (1,180 ft. ascent, 1.2 mile trail) in a little over an hour. We enjoyed the views at the top and relaxed for awhile. As soon as we pulled out snacks, we had a visitor anxious to help clean up anything we might spill. Ah yes, just like the friendly critters at the Grand Canyon.

View to the Northeast from the
Summit, looking over the
Phoenix Mountain Preserves

We hiked back down to the .5 mile point and turned on the Circumference, or Freedom, Trail. We opted not to do a second climb to the summit because we had a full schedule for the day and needed to finish well before noon, if possible.

Good thing we didn't climb to the summit again. The Freedom Trail is still pretty well defined but not well marked. The Phoenix Mountain Preserves has numerous trails so having assurance that you're stay on the right trail is a little bit of a challenge. For the most part, if you continue to right it works out.

Our lunch buddy

Toward the end of the hike, we were talking to everyone we met, asking them if this trail headed back to the parking lot. We learned there are many parking lots so when we heard, "You almost there. It's right over the ridge and look down below," it wasn't our parking lot. In fact, it was a long ways from it.

Eventually we saw the familiar area around the parking lot and trail head. This is a good hike and a beautiful area. We saw mountain bikers, lots of hikers, a yoga class, and several dogs with their hiker buddies. I can't believe it took us eight years to finally make it to the Phoenix Mountain Preserves. Hopefully we'll be back there sooner than another eight years.

Video of the hike below.