Hiking Hikers Hiking Group ("3H")

In Short:

This is a fast-paced fitness hike of about 6.5 miles and 1200 feet of elevation gain. Be sure to bring plenty of water, a headlamp in the winter months. Don't miss the after-hike beers & chow

Where is it?

Visit: http://goo.gl/maps/bjRZD to view on Google Maps. The trailhead is located at the parking lot just north & west of 19th Ave/Chandler Blvd at the Western Edge of Ahwatukee. Take west Chandler Blvd until you reach the 19th Ave, turn right at 19th Ave, and then an immediate left into the parking lot. Overflow parking is on Chandler Blvd just east of the parking lot - sometimes we queue up there before walking through the parking lot to the trailhead.

The Hike

Pyramid is a steep, well groomed trail. It is steep enough to make it a heart pounding fitness hike, but well groomed, so you can go as fast as your lungs and legs will allow. It is a 6.5 mile out and back and is generally completed in about two hours.

https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/7/f/2/event_211294802.jpeg

The steepest part of the trail is shown above, where you gain 1,000 feet in about one mile.

Detailed Description:

The first part of the hike is easy with rolling washes and small hills. The group tends to stay together. The next section is steep. You gain about 1000 feet in a mile and the group tends to split apart into two groups. No worries, if you fall behind, we will wait for you at the top. If you can not make it to the top, let someone know and you can backtrack to the trailhead. The third section is rolling with some quick ups and downs. The pace really picks up here. If you can not complete this section, we will pick you up on the way back. There is a quick detour onto the National Trail. Take a left from Pyramid to the National and in a few hundred yards, you will see panoramic view of Phoenix. After a short rest, we turn around and head back on the same trail(s).

Important Note: If you feel uncomfortable hiking alone, let someone know! You do not have to complete this hike. Although it is well marked, it is possible to take a wrong turn and end up in a neighborhood. If you are unsure, stop and wait for the rest of the group to catch you on the way back.

What to bring:

Water
Headlamp
Cell phone for emergencies.

Caveats and Addendums:

This is a fast paced fitness hike. Sometimes, you will find hikers post they are 'beginning early' to get a head start. If you are new to this hike, you can generally meet up earlier. Just post it on the board.
If the group agrees, sometimes we will mix it up and hike Dos Eliminator or Old Mine or Lost Camp. There is a general agreement at the trailhead.
If you hike at a moderate speed, we still would like to see you! There are plenty of folks that do not complete the hike. We never discourage anyone and you will improve every week. The goal is cardio fitness, good conversation offset by some light drinking.

This is cross post with Take a Hike Meet Up.

Join us for a moderate evening hike at Shaw Butte.

We will meet at the DOLLAR TREE PARKING LOT closest to North MTN Park and take the trail into the preserve. When we hit the #306 we will take it clockwise around and up the trail leading to the top. Then come down around the other side along the service road and pick up the levee which leads us back to the Dollar Tree parking lot.
The beginning is flat which allows for a warmup, but then the majority of the climbing is packed into the middle and is very steep with loose rocks. The trail down the other side is more gradual and solid.

Bring at least 2 liters of water and a flashlight. We will be hiking in the dark.
Be sure to be well hydrated.

If you do not hike elevation hikes this one may not be for you. We will make a few stops and catch our breath and make sure we are all together. Please stay with the group.

DISTANCE: 4.5 miles round trip
ELEVATION Gain: 800 feet
DURATION: 2 hrs or so
FACILITIES: Yes
DOGS : Not recommended unless the temp is below 90

** if the group is too slow for you and you decide to go ahead, please let someone in the group know. We typically finish by 8:30pm.

Moonrise is at 5:11pm so we will likely see the moonrise on the way to our destination.

On occasion, ringtail (https://www.azlibrary.gov/state-symbols/state-mammal) (state mammal of AZ) will join us after dark looking for crumbs.

If you are a frequent hiker, the hike out isn't too strenuous; it's not a fitness hike. However, it is uphill most of the way and we do gain decent altitude; it's WAY more than just a walk in the park, so evaluate your abilities. It is just about 1.5 miles to reach our picnic area and we'll probably spend 30 minutes to an hour at that location before starting back (normally between 8-8:30pm).

Here's an ancient link showing approximate elevation gain:
https://www.strava.com/activities/401827298

Bring whatever you would like to consume... suggestions are cheese and crackers, fruit, vegetables, beef jerky, chocolate, rice crispie treats, pork rinds, pea soup, caviar, bucket of chicken (original recipe), pizza, pickles, olives, cottage cheese, sushi, edamame, donuts, chili, chicken and waffles, pop tarts, twinkies, tacos, cheetos, chili-cheese dog, cream of wheat, white castle, etc.. Be cautious... grape juice can ferment if left too long in the container!

Please, no glassware or breakables but juice boxes and plastic cups are fine. And you may be interested to know that many steel water bottles hold 750ml of liquid; which is coincidentally the same size as a bottle of wine.

Because of the combination of 100 foot cliffs and darkness, bringing children is discouraged.

You all probably already know how to get to Dreamy Draw Park... most online map programs don't give very good directions at all for this location. To keep it simple, here are your directions, from SR-51, go east on Northern Avenue until you reach the parking lot. Easy!

We typically will wait 5 minutes past GO time for those who RSVP "Yes". If you're running late, call me at 623.776.6724 and we'll figure out something.