North Mountain Hike
Feb 6, 2001
Hike Leader: Mike Wargel

On Sat, Feburary 3rd, 6 hikers met next to the Ranger Station at the North Mountain Preserve. We started a few minutes late to let others arrive, plus, the parking lot at our trailhead was closed for maintenance (Maricopa trailhead). We parked near the ranger station just down the road from the Maricopa point.

At 9am, Mike Wargel, Adam Kostewicz, Chuck Giovanniello, Lisa Hall, and Steve Shaw (and Julia), headed up the trail from the Maricopa point. The trail took a rather steep grade right away, very similar in grade and rock to the beginning of the Go-John trail. In a few minutes, we reached a saddle from which we could view the north valley, 7th St, and a service road to the top of North mountain.

We turned left to head up a series of rock steps. All along we had impressive views of Squaw Peak, Camelback, and the SE valley. Within a few minutes, we had merged with the service road. Nice smooth blacktop, but at a considerable grade, the service road snaked along the north face of North mountain. We could see the towers at the top in the distance. About 100 yards from the end of the road was an overlook which yielded tremendous views to the east and south. We could see (and hear) the traffic on the Squaw Peak freeway in the distance. Across 7th St, we could easily see the Pointe North Mountain Resort. Behind us, the North valley, Cave Creek rec area and mountains came to view. 

Another 15 minutes up the road, literally, we were up as high as the road would take us, to the fence surrounding the towers at the top of the mountain. A narrow trail heads up and to the left from here. This takes hikers to the south end of the peak of North Mountain. From here, the entire South, East, and West valley come into view. we could easily make out the Estrellas, White Tanks, South Moutain, Camelback, and Squaw Peak, the latter in a terrific late morning silhouette from the rising sun. Steve brought a new pair of binoculars and was able to point out Weavers Needle and Flatiron, all the way to the Superstitions!!

After a short rest at the top for pictures, water, and views, we headed down the south face of the mountain. We quickly realized that, although it was steep, the walk up was not nearly as steep as the walk down. Terrain very similar to the top of Squaw Peak greeted us. Sharp turns with little room to the sides, step downs requiring balancing by using the arms to stabilize, and several portions covered in loose shale rock. Unfortunately, none of us had done this hike before and were unaware of the terrain. About half way down, we paused under the shade of what must have been the only tree on the face of the mountain. As we headed down, the trail appeared to lead right to the end of a housing subdivision that seemed to be carved right out of the mountain. About 100 ft above the houses, the trail took a sharp left, then gradual, but steep, downhill into the ramada at the end of the trail. On the way down, we ran into (for the second time) a pair heading up the trail for the their THIRD! roundtrip. Obviously training for an event, or gluttons for punishment, as it were.

The trail was not terribly bad. Very similar to Squaw Peak, but with more shale rock and not as carved out. With the two rests, we were still done in 1.5 hrs, saw terrific views, got the heart rate up for good exercise, and saw several others doing the same. This hike is highly recommended for those short on time, don't want to travel far, but still want to work up a sweat.

The above listed trip reports--documenting day hikes, backpacking trips, and car camping trips organized and arranged by the Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Inc.--are meant to be more of a record of the various events performed by the hiking club and are not meant to be the only guide for anyone else wishing to do the same hike or backpacking trip. Instead, they should only be used as a supplemental to an official guidebook that addresses that specific hike or backpacking trip. Natural changes (floods, fires, windstorms, etc.) can occur and change and alter the landscape. The Forest Service sometimes changes the routing of a trail. Trail junction signs can be removed or altered. For these reasons, the hiking club's trip reports and even the official guidebooks may no longer be totally accurate in describing the trail and its layout. There is always the possibility, however remote, of a hiker sustaining harm or injury while on any hike, no matter how safe it may initially seem. The Arizona Trailblazer's Hiking Club, Inc., as well as any of its officers, directors, representatives, and designated hike leaders, disclaims any liability or responsibility for accidents, injuries, damages, or losses whatsoever that may occur to anyone using the trip reports that are available on our website. The responsibility for good health and safety while hiking, backpacking, or camping, ultimately rests with the individual.