Trail 100 loop hike (Including the peak)
Click on photograph to enlarge
When I completed the Trail 100 hike I couldn’t hike the entire trail 100 because when I got to Dreamy Draw there was a sign that the tunnel under the 51 freeway was closed from Nov 24 to Dec 24. At this time it was still closed and there is no other way across without sprinting through traffic. Therefore the hike was a little bit shorter (about 2 miles) but still a success and I thought I’d pass on what it was like.
I started at the Tatum Trail 100 Trailhead at about 7:10 AM this morning. I proceeded up the trail 100 until I came to the Trail 8. I then headed toward Squaw Peak on Trail 8. After about a mile I turned onto the Trail 8A which connects to the Trail 8B. I then followed Trail 8B to the Trail 304 which led me into Squaw Peak Park. After meeting hikers there we proceeded to the summit of the peak. Returning down the summit trail we turned off on the Trail 302 at the halfway point. At the bottom of the switchbacks I was again alone and I followed the Trail 302 to the Trail 1A. I then took Trail 1A into Dreamy Draw arriving at about 11:30 AM. After resting I again started out and that’s when I found out the tunnel was still closed. Since I wasn’t going to be able to complete my hike as planned, I just returned along the Trail 100 to the Tatum trailhead. Here are the stats from my GPS for the hike:
Total hiking distance covered (accurate to within 21 feet per the GPS) 13.3 Miles
Total time on trail 6hrs 05 minutes
Total hiking (moving) time on trail 5hrs 24 minutes
Average hiking speed 2.5 MPH
The hike would be an excellent training hike for the Grand Canyon due to the distance an the grade of the Summit Trail. Although there is no water available at the Tatum trailhead, there is water and facilities at both Squaw Peak Park and Dreamy Draw Park.
|
|
|
| Looking east from start | Looking West |
The parking area at the Tatum Trailhead is very small and it was dark when I arrived. As I started up the trail through the arroyo the first light was beginning.
 |
 |
| First sign of the peak | The peak greets the morning sun |
As the sun rose, the sights became even better. I did not include pictures of the Summit Trail since it is already on the Website. The remainder of the pictures will give you some idea of what the trail conditions are.
 |
 |
| Trail 8 | The glory of the morning |
 |
 |
| Trail 8A | Trail 8B |
 |
 |
| Trail 1A looking back | Going into Dreamy Draw |
 |
 |
| Dreamy Draw | Trail 100 back to Tatum Blvd. |
Larry Wayt (gnhikn@cox.net)