Pinnacle Peak Trail
Click on photograph to enlarge
The Pinnacle Peak Trail is one of the latest trails opened to the public in the Phoenix area. The trail is a relatively easy trail with a lot of switchback ups and downs but no real steep hard climbs. The maximum elevation on the trail is 2,889 feet and it is a total of 3.15 miles round trip in length. The trail is wide enough for hikers to pass each other without any problems and consists of graded gravel. This gravel can be slippery in some places and care should be taken not to slip and fall. In the morning there are numerous areas of shade.
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| Pinnacle Peak | Trailhead |
Once in the parking area, you cross a bridge which takes you to the trailhead. It is set up as a nature trail with signposts and an information sheet about the desert vegetation. Since the trail is not a loop, a hiker returns to the same parking area with no confusion. Water and information are available at the trailhead.
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| Graded gravel wide trail | The end is ahead |
In this hikers opinion, Pinnacle Peak Trail is an enjoyable, relaxing trail but not an exceptional trail for conditioning. There are not enough strenuous sections where a hiker is able to get their heart rate up without running. For those hikers familiar with the Squaw Peak Circumference Trail, Pinnacle Peak Trail is similar but far easier.
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| The highest point | The turn around point |
Larry Wayt (gnhikn@cox.net)