LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN OFFERS hikers a short but challenging climb to a panoramic view from its summit. The longer and easier Circumference Trail winds around Lookout Mountain's base for a more leisurely hike. DISTANCE & CONFIGURATION: 1.1-mile out-and-back; add 2.6 miles for optional Circumference Trail loop DIFFICULTY: Moderate for main hike; easy for optional loop SCENERY: Lookout Mountain, city panorama, desert views EXPOSURE: completely exposed TRAIL TRAFFIC: Light-moderate TRAIL SURFACE: Crushed rock, gravel, scree HIKING TIME: 1 hour for main hike; add 1.5 hours for optional loop WATER REQUIREMENT: 1 quart for main hike; add 1 quart for optional loop DRIVING DISTANCE: 18 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport ELEVATION GAIN: 1,580' at trailhead, 2,054' on summit of Lookout Mountain ACCESS: Gates open 5 a.m.-7 p.m.; trails open until 11 p.m.; no permits or fees required MAPS: USGS Sunnyslope ; trailhead plaque FACILITIES: Main trailhead : water only; alternate trailhead : restrooms, picnic area, tennis courts, and playground WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: None CONTACT: 602-262-7901, phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/lookout-shadow-mountain COMMENTS: Dogs permitted on leash except when temperature exceeds 100°F DESCRIPTION At 2,054 feet, Lookout Mountain's summit ranks among the highest peaks in Phoenix and provides choice views of the city below. The crowds that swarm more-popular trails such as Piestewa Peak Summit Trail (Hike 11, page 68) largely stay away from this rocky outpost on Phoenix Mountains Preserve's northern edge. Lookout Mountain Summit Trail 150 extends only 0.6 mile, but it presents a respectable 500-foot elevation gain along a rocky path to the top. Milder and longer, Circumference Trail 308 offers a gentler hike sans steep ascents. Both trails are short enough that you can easily hike both of them within a few hours. The main trailhead for both Summit Trail and Circumference Trail is on 16th Street, south of Bell Road. Lookout Mountain Park, on the southeastern corner of the mountain, has an alternate trailhead and additional amenities, such as a larger parking lot, a restroom, and shaded picnic areas. A short connecting trail links the park with Circumference Trail, but access to Summit Trail from the park requires a hike to the main trailhead. From the main trailhead, which is next to a large cylindrical water tank, begin by hiking southwest along an obvious trail covered in gravel and crushed rock. Open desert terrain characterizes the foothills here. Only occasional creosote bushes and palo verde trees break the wide expanses. Cacti seem conspicuously absent from the landscape. Many smaller use trails branch out from the main trail, making navigation a hassle; the main trail is fairly easy to follow, however, if you stay left at the first few forks. Brown, rectangular posts mark the correct route. At 0.1 mile, Summit Trail breaks from Circumference Trail and heads uphill at the end of a wide turn. Gentle turns give way to switchbacks beginning at 0.2 mile from the trailhead. Loose rocks challenge your footing, while steeper slopes demand more effort from your legs. There are some confusing forks along the ascent, but in general, you want to stay with the switchbacks and avoid any spur trails that go straight. Nearly halfway up the mountain, Summit Trail straightens and gets considerably steeper as it heads for a saddle between the main summit and a smaller summit to the west. Climb the scree-covered trail to a prominent saddle point at 0.4 mile from the trailhead. This saddle, at 1,875 feet, already commands a fine view. From here, finish your climb by turning left to ascend the southern side of Lookout Mountain. There are some loose and rocky steps here, and you might have to duck under a palo verde tree. Once on the summit ridge, the going gets considerably easier, and you can make a beeline for the peak. As one might expect, Lookout Mountain's flat summit overlooks the vast city surrounding the mountain preserve. To the south, major peaks within Phoenix Mountains Preserve, such as Piestewa Peak, North Mountain, and Shaw Butte, frame the distant downtown buildings. Behind them lie the long ridges of South Mountain and the jagged Sierra Estrella peaks. This panoramic view encompasses nearly all of the major mountain ranges that surround metropolitan Phoenix, so take your time to soak it all in. Return via the same route to the Summit Trail and Circumference Trail junction. If you have time, consider tacking on the 2.6-mile Circumference Trail 308, which encircles Lookout Mountain and a smaller peak to its west. From the aforementioned trail junction, turn west onto Circumference Trail and descend a gentle slope toward a deep but dry wash. The trail crosses the wash and veers left uphill. At a marked trail fork 0.3 mile from where you left Summit Trail, break right and hike west toward a saddle point. Cross this saddle and then turn left at a fork about 30 yards downhill. The trail parallels the preserve's western boundary and skirts the backyard fences of some homes. Near the mountain's southwestern edge, make a moderate climb east on loose rock. Roughly 1.4 miles from where you left Summit Trail, you'll reach a boulder-strewn, 1,670-foot-high saddle point between Lookout Mountain and its western sibling; here, turn southeast and skirt the southern side of Lookout Mountain. Many use trails crisscross this area, so look for the brown posts to stay on Circumference Trail. At 1.9 miles from where you left Summit Trail, a wide path leads toward Lookout Mountain Park and the alternate trailhead. Follow this path southeast, toward the park, but turn left to leave the access trail. Another left turn takes you close to some backyards. Now hiking between Lookout Mountain and backyard fences, continue north along Trail 308. The trail eventually curves around the eastern flank of the mountain to take you back to the water tank and the main trailhead in 2.6 miles. NEARBY ACTIVITIES Phoenix Mountains Preserve contains many popular trails, including Piestewa Peak (see Hikes 10 and 11, pages 64 and 68), Shaw Butte (see Hike 13, page 77), and North Mountain (see Hike 8, page 56). Shadow Mountain, on the eastern side of Cave Creek Road and Sharon Drive, has a few short trails. On Central Avenue and the Arizona Canal, Murphy's Bridle Path offers a pleasantly shaded urban walk. GPS TRAILHEAD COORDINATES N33° 37.623' W112° 02.897' (Main Trailhead) N33° 37.112' W112° 02.578' (Lookout Mountain Park) DIRECTIONS Main Trailhead : Take AZ 51 to Bell Road. Exit onto Bell Road and drive west 2.6 miles to 16th Street. Turn south (left) onto 16th Street and follow it 0.9 mile to a small parking lot next to the water tank. Lookout Mountain Park : Take AZ 51 to Cactus Road. Exit onto Cactus Road, and drive west 1.6 miles to Cave Creek Road. Follow Cave Creek Road north (right) 1 mile to Sharon Drive. Turn west (left) onto Sharon Drive, and continue 0.5 mile. Then turn north (right) onto 18th Street, and proceed 0.5 mile to Lookout Mountain Park. Excerpted from 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Phoenix: Including Tempe, Scottdale, and Glendale by Charles Liu All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.