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Alta Trail Loop Hike
Phoenix South Mountains
April 14, 2001
by Ted Tenny
Seven ebullient hikers set out from mile 2.5 of San Juan Road to hike the
Alta Trail over a prominent ridge in the northwest corner of the Phoenix
South Mountains. They included Himanshu Rawell, Chuck Parsons, Steven
Trombitas, Mike Wargel, Adam Kostewicz, Grace Pianica, and hike leader
Ted Tenny.
The east side of the Alta Trail is well maintained. There are rocks lining
the trail on both sides, lots of switchbacks going up to the ridge, metal
signposts (with no signs), and a park bench made of rocks overlooking the
Bajada Trail across the valley.
Ted stopped several times on the way up to consolidate the hikers before
reaching the ridge. At one point we were in radio contact with three others
who intended to join us but had arrived late and started hiking on the Bajada
Trail instead of the Alta Trail. We could see them and talk to them across
the valley, but never met them.
Soon we attained the ridge, enjoying its grandiose view of Phoenix and Bank
One Ballpark. After a short excursion on the south side of the ridge, the
trail crosses over to the north side for the rest of our ridge traversal.
Sights include houses with variegated architecture and barrel cactus growing
right out of the rock.
At the west end of the ridgeline we are rewarded with a magnificent view of
the wild and spectacular Sierra Estrella! Ted identifies the highest peaks
from north to south:
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Peak 4512, highest point in the Sierra Estrella, capped with a forlorn radio antenna
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Montezuma Sleeping, 4129', shaped like Montezuma's head facing upward
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Butterfly Mountain, 4119', hiding 4052' Quartz Peak behind its great stone wings
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Montezuma Peak 4354', standing watch over the Sierra Estrella on the south
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The west side of the Alta Trail needs maintenance. Several of its
switchbacks have become badly eroded leaving us with a steep, gravely
descent. A troupe of bicyclists have converged at the west end of San Juan
Road where we eat lunch under a roofless ramada.
"The day won't get much cooler," Ted reminds us as we start back on the
National Trail. It's a cake walk compared to the Alta Trail, but Ted takes up
the sweep position to make sure that nobody gets left behind. After stopping
in the shade where the National Trail crosses San Juan Road, we turn east and
start into the home stretch on the Bajada Trail.
The Bajada Trail takes us on the northern slope of the ridgeline that
parallels the Alta Trail on the south. The route has a lot of ups and
downs, as we have to go through gullies and ravines along the slope.
After about a mile of this, Adam and Grace decide to bail out. Ted advises
them to make their way north off-trail to the road, where he will pick them
up after walking back to the trailhead. Mike, Chuck and Adam keep in radio
contact until the rescue is effected.
Lesson Learned
- Start early on a spring hike, while the morning is cool.
- Be prepared for a lot of ups and downs on the Bajada Trail.
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This hike should be rated "B". Difficulty: Moderate.
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