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| - A great workout and fun hike, Piestewa Peak is a nice alternative and change of pace from Camelback Mountain. While they are similar in terms of distance and elevation gain, Piestewa doesn't have the sharp inclines or boulder scrambles that make the final ascent on Camelback so challenging. Having said that, it is still a lot of fun and definitely gets your heart pumping and calves burning!
TIP #1: If you are going on a weekend, get to the Phoenix Mountain Preserve early. Very early. Like Camelback, parking is limited and the area gets very crowded. I try to arrive around 5:00-5:30am to get a parking spot. The Summit parking lot (the one with all the cars in it!) is on the left side as you're working your way along Squaw Peak Drive. Watch for the sign - it's small.
TIP #2: There's an Alternate Summit trail that starts close to the lot before the Summit lot. Worth a try!
If you miss it, or if the lot is full, I like to park all the way at the end (Apache lot). If you do this, don't walk along the street to get back to the Summit lot. From the Apache lot, you can hop right into the Circumference Trail (302) that meets up with the Summit Trailhead. It's a great way to add close to another mile (roundtrip) to your hike. It's also a nice level warmup before you hit the incline of the Summit trail.
The trail itself is very well-defined and well-maintained. It's a series of jagged, rocky steps all the way up to the top, with some nice switchbacks and terrain variety to make things interesting. There are no boulder scrambles and with the exception of just a few spots, you won't need to rely on your hands to keep you on track.
Great views of the city (and Camelback!) from the top. Enjoy!
It does get very crowded, so it's important to be respectful of the other hikers.
TIP: Dogs are not allowed on the Summit Trail, but they are allowed on the less-traveled trails of PMP.
Pace yourself, bring plenty of water, take pictures at the top and enjoy the views along the way. Piestewa Peak is just another reason why Phoenix is a great city for hiking!!
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