Hiking Hikers Hiking Group ("3H")

Join us for a fitness hike beginning at 4:00 pm to the top of Camelback Mountain via the Cholla Trail. The Cholla Trail has roughly a 1,300 feet elevation gain and a roundtrip distance of approximately three miles. The hike is rated as difficult with the last third or so of the hike to the summit involving some challenging scrambling. At just over 2,700 feet elevation at the summit, Camelback is the highest mountain in the city of Phoenix and has amazing views of the entire Valley.

We will meet at the facilities area at the start of the Cholla Trail located on the east side of Invergordon Street. The address is: 5150 N. Invergordon Road, Paradise Valley. There is no parking lot however street parking is available on the west side of Invergordon Street (you will need to walk about 1/4 mile to trailhead).

Be sure to bring at least 1-2 liters of water.

If interested, we can also go out for food/drinks after the hike.

Location: 5150 N. Invergordon Road, Paradise Valley

Distance: 3 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,350

Duration: 1.5-2 hours

Facilities: Located at Cholla Trailhead

Parking: Street parking along Invergordon Road

Massacre Grounds has an interesting story attached to its name. The tale may be told on this moderate to moderately difficult hike! Great views of Four Peaks, Weaver's Needle, Praying Hands, and the vast Superstition Wilderness.

After the Forest Service removed trail access by tearing up the road to the trailhead many years back, we re-cairned an alternative route from the Crosscut trailhead that avoided the road completely. This route appeared to be an old trail that probably fell out of use when the prior Massacre Grounds Trailhead came into existence. Back then (April '10), it appeared that some horse riders knew of this route, but few others. At the time, we wrote, "We would have to imagine that this trail will gain in popularity over time as it becomes more well known and re-established as the best route (and shortest) to the prior Trailhead entrance." This has come to pass, as this has become THE trail of preference to gaining access to this gorgeous area of the Superstitions, and the Forest Service has, after an extensive study, added signage to the area establishing this as the official route to Massacre Grounds.

Trail Length: 5.5 miles +/-

Elevation Gain: Approximately 1100 feet

Difficulty: Moderate to moderately difficult

Time: Expect about 4 to 4.5 hours for this hike depending on the group.

Carpool arrangements and spots can be made by agreement. Just use the "Comments" section to make a suggestion to your fellow hikers!

What To Bring: Please bring plenty of water (at least three liters) and nutritious snacks. We will break for lunch along the trail. As always, bring good shoes, hats, sunscreen, cameras, etc. Your sense of adventure will be handy to have, as well, as we venture off the main trail over to a favorite spot of ours . . . the Napoleon's Hat rock formation. Expect some overgrown/brushy spots and route finding along the route.

Note: No water or facilities at the trailhead. Please plan accordingly.

Directions to the Trailhead:

Take US 60 towards Apache Junction and exit onto Idaho Rd. AZ 88, exit 196. Follow AZ 88 northeast about 6 miles or so to First Water Rd. (just beyond the entrance to the Lost Dutchman State Park) and turn right. Follow this dirt road (passable by passenger car, but SUV or better is recommended) for approximately .7 of a mile to the trailhead marked by a sign on the right side of the road in the large parking lot. Do not go to the end of First Water Road! Our trailhead is only .7 of a mile down this road. There are a couple smaller pullouts on the right side before you get to the large, signed lot on the right. Drive past these to our meetup spot.

For those coming down the 101 to the 202, it is suggested that you exit at Brown Road (rather than going down to US 60) and take it east about 5 miles to AZ 88. From there, turn left, and head to the First Water turnoff just beyond the Lost Dutchman State Park.

Please understand, hiking has its dangers. By signing up and attending this, and any 3H events, you are responsible for your own safety, and organizers and their assistants cannot be held responsible for any injuries or other mishaps that may occur.

As with all Superstition Wilderness hikes, there is a group size limit of 15 per Forest Service regulations.

This is a 2.9 mile nonsweep fitness hike loop. We start by going up Marcos De Niza, across the ridgeline to the stone houses and then return to the parking lot down the road. There are a 4 up climbs and 1 down climb. We start promptly at 5:30pm from the bathroom Ramada at the Pima entrance trailhead off 48th St. In Ahwatukee between 48th St & Guadalupe Rd. Phoenix). We try and complete this hike within 1 hour. Please bring a headlamp and plenty of water.

This event is cross-posted with Take a Hike meetup @ https://4142298.xyz/Take-a-Hike/events/vlxplsydcdbkb/

Please join us for an evening fitness hike through Hidden Valley via Mormon Trail at South Mountain Preserve. This is considered a moderately challenging hike at 3.6 miles with an elevation gain of 925 ft. Most of the elevation gain will be in the first mile. All are welcome, of course, however please note this is a fitness hike with the group likely finishing in 90 minutes, moving at a brisk pace.
Hidden Valley has amazing rock formations, a natural tunnel and the well-knows " Fat Man Pass" between two massive boulders. Seeing the sunset during the hike will only add to the natural beauty and experience.
We will meet at the ramada which is adjacent to the parking lot and trailhead.
Be sure to bring headlamp/flashlight, at least 2 liters of water and whatever you need to stay hydrated !

Distance: 3.6 miles (Hidden Valley via Mormon Trail)

Elevation Gain: 925 Ft

Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours

Facilities: No facilities at Trailhead

Parking: Parking lot available with additional street parking.