The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from October until March. will be added to the main trail notes. Explore our Appalachian Trail (AT) section hikes, Explore our Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) section hikes, Explore over 7,929 miles of trails in 31 states, Get directions to the trailhead on the go, Save your favorite trails to explore later. Length 4.5 miElevation gain 1735 ftRoute type Loop As of January 2019, there's construction going on at the main Summit Trail parking lot, so parking can be found along the road.Dogs are not allowed on this trail. This was not a leisurely hike (at least You can access this trail from all the inner trailheads. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. They love to enjoy the healthy hike. Pretty much a stair stepper all the way up. The sun is setting just north of Woolsey Peak, as observed from just below the summit of Piestewa, and the post sunset glow is behind the Estrella and the other low hills SE of the Eagletails. Great hike with great views. I came here on a Monday morning around 11AM, and there were a lot of cars in the parking lot. Piestewa was named Squaw Peak until 2003, but was renamed in tribute to Lori Anne Piestewa, the first Native American woman to die in US Military combat in the Iraq war. At first I was like “why did they say this is hard? There is a fair amount of parking availability and you will need it as Piestewa Peak is extremely busy, especially on beautiful days so get there early. The trail is much harder than it was when I was a kid. No water is available on the trail and dehydration is a common and serious problem with hikers who come … Did it with a few breaks, summit views are amazing. Hard trail, but beautiful! However, quite a few hikers do not actually reach the top due to the fact that this trail is more difficult than it looks, especially in the summer when temperatures are well over 100 °F (40 °C). Piestewa Peak and Freedom Loop Trail is a 4.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Phoenix, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Piestewa Peak. Most people take the short, direct route up Trail 300.For this year’s Arizona Winter Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, I wanted to explore a different route that would add both mileage and net vertical gain to the hike, and hopefully avoid some of the crowds. The trail takes off in either direction behind the ramada. The trail itself consists of what feels like an endless supply of rock steps as you make your way up the 1,200 foot ascent.Just before the last climb to the summit is a trail junction - stay right at the junction to stay on the Summit Trail.Summit: The Summit of Piestewa Peak consists of jagged rock that you'll need to somewhat scale to get to the top; however, it's not very difficult. Description The trail starts at the first parking lot on the left and is sign posted. Piestewa Peak via Freedom Trail is a 2.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Phoenix, Arizona that offers scenic views and is rated as moderate. The Piestewa Peak Summit Trail is an out and back trail that leads to successful hikers with a three-hundred-sixty-degree view of the Phoenix metropolitan area. By using our content to find trails / hikes / treks, you agree to hike at your own risk Major stairmaster trail, it’s a quad and leg challenge. This area boasts dozens of miles of multi-use trails. Lots of people. To suggest edits for this trail, complete a While short in length, a little over one mile, the trail is steep, jagged, and consists of multiple switchbacks and modified steps with integrated sections of gravel and rock. Before that there was no proper trail available due to which hiking was tough. The Piestewa Peak Summit Trail #300 was created in 1930 for the hiking lovers. The easiest and least crowded being the Hopi Trailhead. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from October until March. The trailhead has porta-potties, but no running water. Consider going at night. Just before the peak is where the trail becomes a bit more dangerous considering the cliff edges to the sides of the trail and the peak itself. It is winter. Very busy trail but people were respectful. Great views at the top. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from October until April. We did it in around an hour and twenty with a break at the top. This area boasts dozens of miles of multi-use trails. 0.6 mi . If there are no spaces, there is more parking across the street. Pretty trafficked around mid morning. From the top of Piestewa Peak you get amazing views of Camelback Mountain, Four Peaks Mountain, and downtown Phoenix. If you want to enjoy the panoramic views, there's only one way up: The extremely strenuous Summit Trail (#300), challenging hikers with a 1,200-ft elevation gain and rocky, unrelenting climb. Hikers, walkers, sightseers and runners alike flock to this prominent peak like moths to a flame, drawn here in part because of it proximity to the city of Phoenix. The Peistewa Peak Hike at the Phoenix Mountain Preserve in Phoenix, Arizona is a very popular and strenuous 3.1 mile out-and-back trek to the top of Piestewa Peak. Piestewa Peak Circumference is a 6.8 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Phoenix, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Click here to download a trail map Photoset • Jim_H • 2020-11-28. The trail is well-maintained and has several benches along the way for hikers to take a breather and enjoy the views. Nevertheless, not impossible- It’s a nice climb and great views all around. JMT/PCT Duck Pass Trailhead to Vermillion Valley, California, Horseshoe Meadow - Lookingglass Lake, Washington. on this trail. 210 ft. Mohave Trail #200. Piestewa Peak, formerly Squaw Peak, is 2,610 feet high and is the second highest point in the Phoenix Mountains, after Camelback Mountain, and features a 1.2-mile-long Summit Trail that is climbed thousands of time each week by locals and visitors seeking a cardio-vascular … There is also parking along part of East Squaw Peak Drive, and around the corner on North 24th Place. We use cookies to learn about our site usage. Length 6.8 miElevation gain 1961 ftRoute type Loop Follow Piestewa Peak Park through the neighborhood into the park. Good short burn. Quartz Ridge Trail 8A and L.V. Length 7.5 miElevation gain 2355 ftRoute type Loop There are a few benches placed along the trail as well to help with the climb and to take in the views.Trail traffic: This trail can be very busy even in the early morning on weekdays.Parking: The parking coordinates provided will bring you to the Summit Trail, but this recording started off at the end of East Squaw Peak Drive, so you can pick and choose where you want to park. Trip Report Piestewa Peak is still challenging because of the steep incline so you're essentially climbing/descending stairs the entire time. Note that this trail is listed as a double black diamond difficulty rating.This recording starts off at the end of East Squaw Peak Drive and follows the Freedom Trail, aka the Circumference Trail (302), for a half mile before reaching the Summit Trail (300). If you're looking for some great exercise, take time to hike Piestewa Peak. 1,180 ft. Piestewa Peak Alternate Summit Trail. The summit trail takes you up a steep but well defined trail that is overall generally pretty safe. Hiking boots will help with faster movement and traction on the way up and down. 0.0 mi away. Stair stepper for sure, good views all the way up. The hike itself is gradual and if you are in… Piestewa Peak Summit Trail #300 is a 3.5 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Phoenix, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. As any Phoenix hiker can attest, in reality, it's anything but. The trail is primarily used for hiking and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Camelback, while statistically more challenging, is smoother. However, now the trail has been so properly managed that people even visit with families and small children. Between 16th and 24th Streets on Lincoln Drive go North on Piestewa Peak Park. This is a separate trail from Quartz Ridge Trail #8 which starts from the Piestewa Peak Parking lot and goes all the way across the Preserve to the 40th St TH. Piestewa Peak The preserve's second highest point (after Camelback) is Piestewa Peak at 2,608 feet. Summit Trail is very steep with a lot of steps and switchbacks. I’m in Phoenix, Lots of people, but everyone was respectful. Hard but short worth it. Congratulations on reaching the Piestewa Peak summit, the second highest peak in the Phoenix Mountains after Camelback Mountain. #8A crosses #8 about 1.5 miles north. Watch your step and take your time climbing up and down from the peak.Views: Aside from the top of Piestewa Peak, you get views of Phoenix along almost the entire Summit Trail. Trailhead Trail #8A starts where North 32nd Street dead ends at Lincoln Drive. Piestewa Peak Circumference and Summit is a 7.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Phoenix, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Hop on your own ATV on this off-roading adventure in the Sonoran Desert. This is a great night hike, especially in hottest months of the year. It is also less crowded than Summit, which at times seems like the Interstate at rush hour. Piestewa Peak is the second highest within the Phoenix area , 2nd to neighboring Camelback Mountainand is part of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve chain. Surrounding the base of 2,608-foot Piestewa Peak, Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area, and Dreamy Draw Recreation Area are gateways into diverse desert landscapes that offer everything from fantastic views to secluded valleys. 0.2 mi away. Located in the heart of Phoenix, The Summit Trail at Piestewa Peak is a relatively easy hike for well-conditioned hikers and offers spectacular views of the thriving metropolis below. Hiking Piestewa Peak. 2.2 mi . That's the same distance as runner a marathon, with more than 13,000 feet of … Trip Reports FAQ. That's the first left after the Ranger Station. Starting at sunrise, and finishing at sunset, the Phoenix hiker went up and down Piestewa Peak 11 times. You can completely skip the Freedom Trail segment if you plan to just hike straight up the Summit Trail, as it'll be a slightly shorter hike.Once you reach the Summit Trail the hike becomes almost all uphill until you reach Piestewa Peak. Busy. It’s always waiting when the hiking urge strikes. 693 Reviews #11 of 230 things to do in Phoenix. My boyfriend and I were told not to hike camelback because it was pretty difficult so we came here instead. It takes longer, of course, but kids can do this one and the views are just as good. Hiking to the summit of Piestewa Peak is, by definition, a walk in the park. The best place to get away and give your brain a reboot is the 304 Loop Trail at Piestewa Peak. Piestewa Peak Drive, as it will soon be known, is a short residential street leading to the base of Piestewa Peak mountain, which was renamed in 2003 to honor Lori Piestewa. Piestewa Peak Summit Trail #300 is a 2.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Phoenix, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. United States ; Arizona (AZ) Central Arizona ; Phoenix ; Things to Do in Phoenix ; Piestewa Peak; Search. Surrounding the base of 2,608-foot Piestewa Peak, Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area, and Dreamy Draw Recreation Area are gateways into diverse desert landscapes that offer everything from fantastic views to secluded valleys. Resources. The Piestewa Peak Summit Trail (elevation gain = 1,208 feet (368 m) in 1.2 miles (1.9 km)) is climbed thousands of times per week by locals and visitors seeking a cardio-vascular workout, great views, or a family outing. From the top of Piestewa Peak you get amazing views of Camelback Mountain, Four Peaks Mountain, and downtown Phoenix. Bonus points for you if you tackle this around sunset - this urban park is technically open into the evening and provides an epic vantage point. If your browser is set to do not track mode, we will not use statistics cookies. Useful and helpful tips in hiker Length2.1 miElevation gain1158 ftRoute typeOut & back Good hearty climb ... definite uphill trek ... nice views. Piestewa Peak is a popular spot for locals who do not want to drive or hike for hours to fit in a good workout, so be prepared to encounter some crowds if you visit on a weekend. Enjoyable hike! The Peistewa Peak Hike at the Phoenix Mountain Preserve in Phoenix, Arizona is a very popular and strenuous 3.1 mile out-and-back trek to the top of Piestewa Peak. After a safety briefing and training, gear up and ride across rugged, rocky trails in the scenic Bradshaw Mountains, as well as cross the Agua Fria River. This is a breeze” then I learned why it was rated hard. Yates Trail 8. Definitely a quad workout with the amount of steps. An extra 100 feet of elevation, two steep handrail sections, and a few stretches through boulder fields give it the "tougher" nod. (. Description: The infamous Piestewa Peak Summit Trail is an out and back trail that rewards successful hikers with a three-hundred-sixty-degree view of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Trail not paved, rocky. At 2,608 feet, Piestewa is the third highest peak in Phoenix proper, just 96 feet lower than Camelback’s 2,704 foot elevation. I try to do every time The top of Piestewa is the perfect place to admire 360 degree views of the Valley of the Sun, the chain of mountains which run from north to south, and the spectacular sunset which fall over the distant White Mountains. The video is accelerated 5x. Piestewa Peak, Phoenix: Address, Phone Number, Piestewa Peak Reviews: 4.5/5. Due to … Always a fun hike. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is accessible year-round. The Freedom Trail, also referred to as the Piestewa Peak Circumference Trail, is a great trail that gives you views of the entire Phoenix Metro area. 0.3 mi away. In passing, I've heard conversations about how Piestewa compares to Camelback. Hiking the 1.2 mile Piestewa Peak Summit Trail in March 2016. Piestewa Peak / Dreamy Draw Surrounding the base of 2,608-foot Piestewa Peak, Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area, and Dreamy Draw Recreation Area are gateways into diverse desert landscapes that offer everything from fantastic views to secluded valleys. 0.4 mi . Despite the crowds this mountain can still be a lot of fun, offering a short but taxing climb and many great views along the short route. help: comment: issue This area boasts dozens of miles of multi-use trails. Although described as moderate to … The hike itself was fun and uphill, a bit rocky in some parts, and the views were of the city below with a 360-degree view. The Circumference Trail at Piestewa Peak is longer at about 3.75 miles and is a much more gradual ascent. If you decide not to do the Summit Trail, other trails give beautiful views and leisurely hikes for any one who wants to enjoy the Sonoran desert landscape. 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