Shaw Butte Trail
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The Shaw Butte Trail (306 trail) is one of the more popular trails in the Phoenix Mountain preserve. Although the trail is no more than a vehicle service road from the parking area to the radio towers on the summit, it is still a taxing hike. A hiker can access the trail from a number of different locations but the most common is the newly enlarged parking, to be reopened shortly after July 4th, at the end of Central Avenue. The trail is a loop trail but most hikers hike from the parking area to the summit and return. That part of the trail is 1.4 miles in length one way. The elevation at the start is 1,372 ft.; and is 2,102 ft. at the summit.
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| Shaw Butte Trail Head | Shaw Butte Summit |
Once in the parking area, you pass through the passage in the wall where you will find drinking fountains. You then proceed up the trail in front of you. One thing you must remember is that Shaw Butte trail is open to service vehicles, animals, mountain bilkers as well as to hikers so watch for other traffic. The first section of the hike is relatively steep and is rock and gravel. This can be slippery in places. As you reach the first set of gate poles, the trail turns to the left and the surface turns into poorly maintained asphalt. Again this part of the trail is steep but easier to navigate.
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| Steeper trail grade | Easier trail grade |
Approximately half way up the grade levels and becomes much easier. From this area there are numerous views of all parts of the valley. This is also a good location to take photographs. As you continue up the trail near the summit, you will encounter another set of gate posts. On one of these posts there is a rusted No Trespassing sign. Proceed right by this sign and you will again see the trail marker. The trail continues to the summit where you can either continue down the other side and around to parking area, or return to the parking area the same way you came up.
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| North Mountain and Squaw Peak | View from the summit |
In this hikers opinion, although the Shaw Butte Trail is a excellent training trail, it is not as much of a challenge as some of the other trails in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. I would still highly recommend this trail as a method of varying a hikers training schedule.
Larry Wayt (gnhikn@cox.net)