South Mountain Park is one of the largest City Parks in the country! There is hiking available, mountain biking, some climbing/bouldering, paragliding, etc. If you thought Echo Canyon had a lot of people roaming around, wait until you drive here! It is worth the effort though. Two years ago I watched a storm roll into the Valley with lightning at sunset, would not recommend it, but it was amazing (of course to get a better view I continued hiking up to the ridge!)