I came here on a Saturday morning to run, and I arrived at the parking lot at 10:15AM. Note that…read moresince this is inside Usery Mountain Regional Park, there's a $7 per motor vehicle. The parking lot was entirely full and street parking was pretty full too, but luckily I snagged a spot right at the trailhead as a car left. I went clockwise on the trail, and the map at the beginning says this trail is 7.5 miles (but actually if I add up the mileage on the map, it's 7.6 miles). The views before going down were good but once I went to the back of the mountain, the views weren't very good. Completely unshaded, most people are going counterclockwise so I ran into a lot of hikers, a few bikes, and even a horseback rider and his horse. Some parts of the path are a bit rockier than the others, but all manageable for running.

I spend much of my time on this trail running, especially if I want something that provides a lot…read moreof varied terrain and isn't too crowded. Wind Cave is an awesome workout, but it is typically a lot more crowded. A good portion of the trail is runnable, which is nice. For a moderate running pace, two hours should be fine. In talking to people on the trail, it seems that hikers typically plan 3.5-4 hours to do the whole thing. Maybe longer if you stop at the saddle to have a snack and enjoy the views for a bit. Speaking of that, there are several places to stop and enjoy the views, especially on the backside of the mountain, and it is really beautiful when the desert blooms. I was out here a few years ago when we got snow on January 1, and that was pretty cool to see. These days, I mostly see hikers, although there are some adventurous mountain bikers -- there is an interesting climb (or descent, depending on your chosen direction) just before/after the saddle. I've seen people carrying their bikes on that one. I think tackling this trail clockwise on a bike might be best, although I typically run it counterclockwise to get the rougher parts of the trail out of the way first. The trail is pretty rocky in spots between Blevins and the saddle. It is good to note that you can jump on this trail either from the Wind Cave or Blevins (Trailhead Staging Area) parking areas, but the marked trailhead is at the Blevins parking lot. There is nowhere to get water, except at the Wind Cave trailhead, which, depending on where you park, could be your start/end point. It is best to bring all that you'll need, especially in the summer. This is a loop trail, but there are really no shortcuts out of the trail, so you either plan to do the whole thing or pick a spot to turn around when you're halfway done with hiking. (The trail does connect to the Cat Peaks trail about a mile from the Blevins trailhead, and forks off to connect with the Arizona Trail, but once you're really into the trail, there are much fewer options.) As for shade, the only real shade is provided during certain parts of the year and times of day at the saddle. There are some trees and, if you can crouch in the shadow of some rock formations, you can find a little. Beyond that, it is pretty sparse. I suggest starting early in the morning. Keep an eye out for wildlife. I have scared several deer and jackrabbits in addition to the usual lizards, squirrels and occasional rattlesnake. There is a $6 fee to enter the park by car ($2 if you bike, walk, or run in) and the Maricopa County Parks pass is good here.

Super easy hike comparable to A mountain just a little more rugged. My 7 year old and 12 year old…read morejoined me on the hike with no issues.

A hike with a view! Easy, quick hike with a view of the superstitions and the valley.read more

Jacobs Crosscut Trail. It was a great day, but turned out…read morevery difficult as we lost our way on the path. We did make it to our destination, and we got to experience the beautiful flowers. So the broken finger tip, could of been worse! I WOULD RECOMMEND

Yes, I agree with the other reviews. Incredible hike, especially if you continue up to Flatiron…read more The waterfall was dry, and I bet its fantastic when its flowing. If you make it to Flatiron and back, go ahead and pat yourself on the back for making the 5.8 mile trip. I'd suggest hiking in a group. You'll park in the Lost Dutchman State Park. There is a $5 day use fee per vehicle.

A little confusing to get here if you are coming off the 60 East. You have to make a U-turn to get…read moreon the right side of the highway and the turn off is not well marked. Once here, it's pretty neat. You can hike multiple different trails and there is a nice view of the Superstition Mountains. This is a great option if you don't want to drive far to go hiking and you are in the east valley area. The parking is free!

Silly Mtn Park has a gravel parking lot. It also has public restroom and a covered picnic table…read more It is free and pretty easy hiking. Not really impressive views just easy trails.

Amazing place to view Red Mountain. There were a lot of big ants (9/14/2024), so be ready for that…read more Geese, horses, ducks. Parking was full by 7am on a Saturday, need tonto pass.

Great spot to easily SUP!! Parking is limited but we were able to get a spot no problem during the…read moreweeknight but could get busy on the weekend. Easy to navigate and great spot to watch the sunset

We hiked around sunset time. I like the Pima Canyon trailhead parking area. Lots of spaces to park,…read morethere are restrooms, and water fountains. Dogs are allowed on leash...please just for the love of god pick up their poop. I truly don't understand how dog owners think it's cool to leave it. I had my fur baby with me, and I carry extra bags. It's not hard. The sky was really pretty at sunset. We ended up doing the Pima Canyon loop due to time constraints. There are other trails you can do here, and the entire south mountain trail system. I didn't feel like messing with my phone so I didn't take any photos. This is an easily accessed trail system for all levels.

Everytime I show up, I find myself and others exploring a different part of South Mountain. Get out…read moreearly and pay close attention to route you travel!

Such a fun hike! It took my partner and me about 4-5 hours total to get up and back down. It's the…read moreperfect hike to get lost and go off trail a bit. Definitely bring snacks and hiking shoes. I was not expecting to be actually hiking lol but totally worth it. Lots of people had hiking sticks and dogs were on the trail. By the time we were heading back, more people had shown up to catch the sunset and take photos. Such a beautiful spot and a great hike if you're looking for something scenic and a challenging.

This difficult 6.5 mile (5.5 according to AllTrails) heavily trafficked out and back trail is…read moreanother favorite of mine out in the Superstitions. Total elevation gain is 2641' but almost all of that is in the second half, especially after siphon draw. This well-marked trail involves a lot of scrambling and vertical climbing. Lots of pretty flowers, cacti, and views along the way and at the summit. I began this one just before 11:30am when it was 55°, cloudy, and slightly windy. Ascended in 1h55min and descended in 1h37min. No water but restrooms are open at trailhead. Dogs allowed on leash (May be difficult for them past siphon draw). $7 park fee ($10 on weekends). @azfitfoodfun

Now that the Apache Trail has reopened, accessing Fish Creek Trail is easier than ever, and it's…read moreabsolutely worth the trip! After being untouched for a couple of years, the trail feels wild and rugged, which adds to its charm--though be prepared for some rough spots where the path isn't as clear. The views are nothing short of spectacular, with towering cliffs, serene creek beds, and breathtaking canyon vistas. However, accessing the trailhead requires a bit of adventure, including hiking down the side of the road, so sturdy shoes and a sense of readiness are a must. If you're up for a bit of exploration and want to experience some of Arizona's most stunning scenery, Fish Creek Trail is a fantastic choice. Just come prepared, and you'll be rewarded with an unforgettable outdoor experience! **from tortilla flats take Idaho Road and follow it to Fish Creek Bridge ** this is a dirt road sometimes with only one way of traffic but did not need a 4wheeler to get there