February 9, 2018 - Fat Man's Pass - South Mountain

                                              

The Short Hike and the Long hike started from different trailheads
so we drove in separate vehicles.

Short distance hikers drove to Summit Road. This trail followed
the National Trail to Hidden Valley (Fat Man's Pass) which is
a loop, then back on National Trail to the trailhead.
Map for the Short Hike.

                     

  
 
  

2nd Group of Hikers at Fat Man's Pass Trailhead

The Medium Hike started on 48th Street - Pima Canyon Road to the Pima Canyon Trailhead. The trail started on the Pima Wash Trail and followed the

National Trail to Mormon Loop. Mormon Loop leads to Hidden Valley

(Fat Man's Pass). In Fat Man's pass there a various fun passes, tunnels and rocks to climb down. The Hidden Valley trail turns right onto the National Trail and back to Pima Wash Trail.

Link:

Pima Wash to National Trail, to Mormon Loop to Hidden Valley and back to National Trail to the Pima Wash Trail

Longer Hike
Link:
Pima Wash to Beverly Canyon Trail, to Ridgeline to Javelina Canyon Trail, to Mormon Loop to National Trail then down to Hidden Valley Trail and back to the trailhead via the National Trail and Pima Canyon Road 

The Longer Hike started on 48th Street - Pima Canyon Road to the Pima Canyon Trailhead. The trail started on the Pima Wash Trail then turned right onto a short portion of the Beverly Canyon Trail. We turned left on Ridgeline Trail which wound upward to see the sights of Phoenix then proceeded downward toward the junction of Ridgeline Trail and Javelina Canyon Trail. We turned left onto Javelina Canyon Trail, which we followed to Mormon Loop Trail which leads to the National Trail. We followed this trail until the Hidden Valley Trail on the left.(Fat Man’s Pass). At Fat Man's pass - a very narrow rock structure - there is an alternative route around.The landscape on this hike shows where erosion in the area has blown the soil away, leaving magnificent rock structures. Petroglyphs can be seen along the way. After lunch we hiked through Hidden Valley and the Natural Tunnel and turned right onto the National trail and back onto Pima Canyon Wash Trail to the trailhead. There are two stone housing structures that are fun to take pictures and view the canyon through the windows.

Javelina Canyon Trail

Members from all three groups met at Fat Man's Pass (Hidden Valley Trail). Two groups had lunch together. The short hike when on further to another favourite lunch spot. 

   

On our way through the rest of Hidden Valley and back onto the National Trail 

Directions

Short Hike: Take I-10 north to exit 155 and go left on Baseline Road. Go to Central Avenue and turn left and follow to the gate at the entrance to the park. There are restrooms just past the gate on the right about 300 yards. Proceed on the paved road to Summit Road to the end of the road. Park in the lot at the end, or beside the road back. 51 miles from the Park.             

D, 4.2 mi.

Long Hikes: Take I-10 north to exit 157 and turn left on Elliot Road. Drive to 48th Street, turn right. Follow 48th street as it bears right and becomes Guadalupe Road. Immediately, in the turn, turn left on S. 48th St, then left again on E Pima Canyon Rd. The entrance and guardhouse is just past this point on the left. Follow the road to the trailhead. Toilets at the trailhead. It is about 42 miles from the Park.

B-,  7 or 8 mi.