Perl Charles Memorial Trail 1a

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Total hiking distance covered (per the GPS)  7.55 Miles

Total time on trail 3 hour 30 Minutes

Maximum elevation  2,063 ft.

Starting elevation 1,256 ft.

Although I’ve hiked segments of the Perl Charles Memorial Trail (1a), I’ve never hiked the entire length.  On April 28, 2009, I decided to accomplish the hike.  Looking at the Phoenix Parks Department trail map it stated that the hike was a total distance of 4.8 miles.  In fact it is actually 7.55 miles.  Why the difference?  When the trail was formed the primary method of measuring a trail or road was with what was called a “big wheel”.  Needless to say it was accurate enough for those days but with the advent of GPS there is no comparison.  Besides, the trail has been changed in different areas which I’m sure added to its length but the changes to the records were not made.  The added mileage didn’t create a problem for me since I carried additional water “just in case”.

 The trail head does not start where most hikers might think it should.  It actually starts at the east end of Myrtle which is just west of the 51 freeway.  To get there exit the 51 freeway at Glendale and head west, away from the mountain preserve.  The first street is 18th st.  Turn right there.  If you miss it you can go to 16th st and turn right there.  Proceed to Myrtle at the end of 18th st and turn right toward the mountain preserve.  Go to the end which is right up against the freeway.  There is parking there but no facilities.

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The Trail Head Myrtle St. Tunnel
   
Parallel the Freeway Here We Go!
   
Into The Valley The Miners Stone House
   
Joining the 302 I'm Glad there's a Trail

 The trail goes down into the dry culvert which leads to the Myrtle St. tunnel which passes under the 51 freeway.  Once on the east side of the freeway the trail turns north and parallels the freeway for about ¾ of a mile.  It then turns east and starts to climb.  From this point on until you reach the north side about 4 miles away the trail markers are very good and there isn’t any reason to fear getting lost.  The trail climbs 2 different passes and then down into the valley on the north side of Squaw Peak.  About half way down the slope if you look to the south you can see the remaining stone walls of the old mine managers house.  The trail continues down, across the gully and then up where it joins the Freedom (302) trail.  The two trails remain joined up over the summit and then separate when the Nature (304) trail joins.  After about ¼ mile the 304 turns off to the south and the 1a goes north.

 The trail continues around and doesn’t become to confusing until it joins the trail 100.  From that point on you have to watch the trail markers.  Where you could bypass some of trail 1a by staying on the 100 for a while, there are 2 points where trail 1a loops off to the south and then back again, I followed the trail markers which ultimately led back toward the tunnel.  Just before paralleling the freeway there is a plaque honoring Perl Charles.  It’s worth stopping to see it.

Click on photographs to enlarge

From the Summit Now Downward
   
Leaving the 304 Approaching Trail 100
   
Filled in Mine Adit One of the Loops
   
Almost Back Perl Charles Plaque

 As I said at the beginning of this report this trail is 7.55 miles.  That is the same distance as the South Kibab trail from the rim to Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon.  It also takes about as much time to cover as the descent into the Canyon, about 3 ½ hours.  And that’s all down hill; this hike is both up and down.  Although I would rate this hike as from easy to difficult its length demands that the hiker be in very good physical condition with some experience in trail finding.  It also requires quite a bit of water to stay hydrated.  Although it’s a great hike, I would not recommend it for beginners.

 

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Larry Wayt (gnhikn@cox.net)