Elevation Gain: 1208 feet. A smooth hiking hyper-lapse of Piestewa Peak's Summit Trail.The hike is one of the most popular trails in Phoenix, Arizona! 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. Despite the crowds, Piestewa Peak is a fun hike and a must-do if in the area. Distance: 1.2 miles out-and-back. As any Phoenix hiker can attest, in reality, it's anything but. They love to enjoy the healthy hike. Distance: 2.5 Miles (Roundtrip)Rating: DifficultLocation: Phoenix Mountain Preserves #302 Trailhead 5994 E. Squaw Peak Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85016 Simply put, Piestewa Peak Summit Trail is a merciless hike — but it’s a fun challenge with a rewarding view. The trail itself is pretty wide, at 5 feet, but is natural with lots of jagged rocks and switchbacks to watch out for. Hiking Piestewa Peak. The terrain is very rocky with steps and small climbs well over a foot tall all over the trail. This sunset hike to the top of Piestewa Peak in Arizona is an excellent place to watch the sun go down over the city of Phoenix. 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. Part way up the trail and the views start to open up. Getting To Piestewa Peak. Thankfully, there is a railing on the steepest part of the trail, along with landscaping that greatly helps your footing for the intense incline/ decline. We got there right at 6am to beat the heat and the crowds, but apparently 6am is on the later side, as the parking lots were already full, and were got lucky to grab a spot. After Camelback Mountain, Squaw Peak is the second-highest point in the Phoenix Mountains and the city’s third-highest point in general, sitting at 2,610 feet (796 meters) tall. Distance: Round trip - 2.4 miles. Learn how to create your own. Once at the trailhead, you will gain an elevation of 1200 feet in the 1.2 miles it… There are many easy, casual hiking trails in the Phoenix Metro Area. I hiked Piestewa Peak for the first time this past weekend. Piestewa Peak, formerly known as Squaw Peak and conveniently located in the heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area, is a relatively short hike that yields impressive views of the city and is a perfect spot to watch the sunset. Come to the Peak to enjoy nature on a nice day. You can access this trail from all the inner trailheads. That's the first left after the Ranger Station. We got there right at 6am to beat the heat and the crowds, but apparently 6am is on the later side, as the parking lots were already full, and were got lucky to grab a spot. The proper trailhead is designated as the 302 Trailhead. From the sign that says 'EXTREMELY DIFFICULT" at the trailhead to the peak is a 1,168 foot difference in elevation covered in only a little over a mile. Piestewa Peak (/ p aɪ ˈ ɛ s t ə w ɑː / py-ES-tə-wah; O'odham: Vainom Do'ag, formerly Squaw Peak), at 2,610 feet (796 m) is the second highest point in the Phoenix Mountains, after Camelback Mountain, and the third highest in the city of Phoenix, Arizona.It is located in the Piestewa Peak Recreation Area within the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, near Piestewa Parkway (Arizona State Highway 51). The trail ascends Piestewa Peak to the highest point in the park. Follow Piestewa Peak Park through the neighborhood into the park. Phoenix, AZ 85016. Dogs, drones, and mountain biking are not allowed on the Summit Trail, but dogs are permitted on the park’s other trails. Resources. Phoenix Tourism; Phoenix Hotels; Phoenix Bed and Breakfast; Phoenix Holiday Rentals; Phoenix Packages; Flights to Phoenix Parking at Piestewa Peak, one of Phoenix's most popular hiking spots, is significantly reduced with construction of electrical, water and sewer lines. I hiked Piestewa Peak for the first time this past weekend. Piestewa was the first Native American woman to die in combat in the U.S. military. A new bridge, water refill stations and new restrooms were added to the trail. Enjoy panoramic views of the city of Phoenix from the top of Piestewa Peak. Hiking to the summit of Piestewa Peak is, by definition, a walk in the park. This map was created by a user. Piestewa Peak, formerly known as Squaw Peak and conveniently located in the heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area, is a relatively short hike that yields impressive views of the city and is a perfect spot to watch the sunset. Piestewa Peak is a tribute to fallen soldier and veterans. The Piestewa Peak Summit Trail is not one of them. I hiked Piestewa Peak for the first time this past weekend. The trail takes off in either direction behind the ramada. Turn east on Squaw Peak Drive from Lincoln Drive between 22nd and 24th streets in Phoenix. ROUTE: well maintained trail with signed junctions. Although described as moderate to difficult, many kids and older adults do the Summit Trail. Starting at the Piestewa Peak Trailhead, you will find all … From the trailhead begin making your way up Trail 300 – Summit Trail. To hike Between 16th and 24th Streets on Lincoln Drive go North on Piestewa Peak Park. Freedom Trail (#302), also known as Piestewa Circumference, is a 3.8 mile, moderate loop trail. We got there right at 6am to beat the heat and the crowds, but apparently 6am is on the later side, as the parking lots were already full, and were got lucky to grab a spot. 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. Water and restrooms are available. Trail. In my opinion, this combined with the trail’s jaw-dropping beauty makes it one of … Overview and History Difficulty: An easy class 1 climb with a short class 2/easy class 3 section at the true summit. asegay. Hiking Piestewa Peak is a famously popular Phoenix-area, StairMaster-like workout that can get really crowded. The trail starts at the first parking lot on the left and is sign posted. Finally, the reward. The trail is one of the most popular thanks to its short length and dazzling views that it offers at the top. At 2,608 feet, Piestewa is the third highest peak in Phoenix proper, just 96 feet lower than Camelback’s 2,704 foot elevation. The Piestewa Peak Summit Trail #300 was created in 1930 for the hiking lovers. 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. Whichever trail at Piestewa Peak you decide to hike today, make sure you are wearing good hiking shoes, a hat, sunglasses and that you bring enough water. To hike Between 16th and 24th Streets on Lincoln Drive, go North on Piestewa Peak Park. The trail to the summit of Piestewa Peak was first constructed by a wrangler employed at the Biltmore Hotel sometime around 1930. The folks that live in the area are lucky to have such cool trails so close by. From the top of Piestewa Peak you get amazing views of Camelback Mountain, Four Peaks Mountain, and downtown Phoenix. Squaw Peak. The best trailhead registers in Google Maps as Piestewa Peak Trailhead. Piestewa is pronounced PI-ES-TE-WAH Depending on the time of day and year, there is little to no shade along the route. If you're looking for some great exercise, take time to hike Piestewa Peak. Starting at sunrise, and finishing at sunset, the Phoenix hiker went up and down Piestewa Peak 11 times. The easiest and least crowded being the Hopi Trailhead. Trailhead: 2701 E Squaw Peak Dr, Phoenix, the first driveway on the left in the Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area. However, now the trail has been so properly managed that people even visit with families and small children. Perhaps try using the restroom before going on your hike and of course bring WATER!" 7.4 "Need a gateway from the streets and traffic lights? Piestewa Peak from the parking lot. The hike itself is gradual and if you are in … Now, it is one of the most heavily used trails in the nation with 4,000 to 10,000 hikers per week. The path starts out wide with periodic man-made steps and cement curbs on either side, and at a gradual climb. That's the same distance as runner a marathon, with more than 13,000 feet of … 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. Piestewa Peak Freedom Trailhead - 302. I addition to the 360-degree fantastic views, enjoy a variety of desert cactus, including saguaro , barrel , hedgehog, pincushion, and prickly pear . Piestewa Peak : SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. Click here to download a trail map Trail 300 – Summit Trail Trail Length: 1.2 miles Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet Elevation: 1,400 to 2,608 feet Difficulty: Moderate to difficult. Before that there was no proper trail available due to which hiking was tough. Squaw Peak became "Piestewa Peak" in April of 2003. 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