Piestewa Peak Park — Attraction in Phoenix

Piestewa Peak is amazing, especially for an inner-urban hike - even much more so if one is able to reach the top. It is a hike I would call very difficult and I consider myself to be in decent shape. For me it is more difficult coming down than going up, but I only attribute that to my sensitive joints. It takes me about an hour up and an hour down. I don't recall the exact distance - I want to say a mile and a half but don't quote me on that. But, yes - some parts are very, very challenging. In my opinion Piestewa is equally as challenging as the Echo Canyon side of Camelback Mountain. There are no stretches on Piestewa where they felt it was necessary to place poles parallel to the surface of the trail in order to pull yourself up the trail as is the case with Echo Canyon, but there are long stretches of significantly high "steps," mostly for the last quarter of it or so. You will likely feel it in your calves and thighs for a few days if you haven't done rigorous leg exercise for a while. Do be prepared. Also I definitely need to warn - I do NOT recommend attempting anything daredevilish in terms of going off of the established trail near cliffs or anything of the like. People do that often and although they may usually come out unscathed, it is very common that they don't - and I have seen MANY medical helicopters above Piestewa to emphasize that fact. You don't want to be on the evening news for that! By no means am I saying that in order to intimidate or discourage, I just hate to see people get hurt. Please come and give it a shot! Just stay on the trail and be careful, exercise common sense, you will love it 😊 Another thing: please - bring at least a gallon of water! You are going to sweat regardless of your physical condition. They put in plenty of artificial water sources at the main trailhead parking area during the recent remodel, but once you begin the actual hike there are none. So seriously, please bring plenty of water. There are plenty of restrooms at the bottom but there are not any on the actual hike so be aware of that. It is a very popular destination, especially on the weekends and holidays, earlier in the day during Summer months due to the heat of course. I don't have any children, but I have seen many children on the trail even as young as 4 or so. The other day when I hiked it I even saw a man with a baby in one of those baby-carrying apparatuses that straps to your chest (Sorry, can't remember what they're called lol). But I do need to reiterate: it is NOT easy. .....If you make it to the top, though, it is wonderful and the near-silence is a delicacy in this frenetic city. I have meditated at the top before and it was incredible. Oh, yeah, I need to mention, though - the summit is pretty jagged on much of it and all of it is rocky and though there are scattered flatter places to sit it is a popular hike so be prepared to maybe shift around a bit if you decide to sit down. I have always found an acceptable place to sit comfortably for at least 15 minutes or so, though, and I am a little bonier if that makes sense. Dogs: There are restrictions on dogs, I believe they are seasonal in order to protect them from the heat. So if you plan on trying to bring your best buddy/buddies, you will want to confirm what the down low is on that. Bus: the Glendale Road bus, I want to say it's route 70, has a stop just opposite the Preserve entrance and there is a crosswalk right there. The stop is right between 22nd street and 24th street, so pull the signal stop right after 24th street if you are headed Westbound or right after 22nd street if you are headed Eastbound. If you happen to miss the stop don't panic, you can walk from both the 24th and 22nd street stops. It's called Piestewa Peak..... ?Drive? I believe. There will be signs that say Mountain Preserve next or something like that. And the traffic light at the Preserve entrance has a green road sign that says Piestewa Peak Drive or Lane or whatever it is just like all the major traffic lights in Phoenix. Anyway, go...

I hate to write a review that starts with badmouthing a different Phoenix Park, but I think it helps put this mountain into context

Camelback is the famous hike to do in the Phoenix Metro area. It's a striking geological feature on Phoenix's skyline and a favorite of the influencer class. Camelback, has simply become too busy. The parking situation is a nightmare, and going up the mountain is so congested you'd actually have an easier time communing with nature at Fashion Square Mall.

Now Piestewa is far from abandoned but you do not have the problems here that you have at Camelback. For fitness girlies, the summit trail is really going to get your heart rate up, your glutes and calves engaged, and some calories burned. I have a friend, also named Will, who calls this trail nature's Stairmaster (See Wilderness Will on YouTube). You're reward at the top with splendid views of the phoenix Metro, including nice views of Camelback. Hey! Best of both worlds.

For me, I like to do the Freedom Loop. This still takes you about half way to the summit, so you're getting the steep workout experience, but then, you turn off that trail and quite suddenly you have the park to yourself. It twists and turns such that you can forget you're actually smack dab in the middle of phoenix, and you just get to be alone with the schist and the desert.

Other favorite trails in the park include the Quartz trail, though that parking lot is messy on the weekends, and a trail on the backside, the name of which I don't know, but is a good workout while being far less popular than the summit trail!

I do want to reiterate things, the summit trail (which is also the first quarter of the freedom loop) is incredibly difficult, please do not attempt if you do not have a sturdy shoe, or if you haven't hiked in a while. Additionally, no one, at any fitness level, should attempt this hike if it's above 90...

First off the park facilities, driveways, and parking, are really nice. Piestewa draws you in with gentle pathways, that is, until it crushes you with the verticality of the peak. The journey to the top is a grueling, double-black-diamond difficult hike. Even though I'm really just a cubicle dwelling, cheeto-fingered homebody, I thought climbing Piestewa Peak would be a nice wat to spend a morning. And it was that, but it was also really difficult.

My hiking buddy, my teenage son, was a great help, not in lifting me, but in lifting my spirits. This is my best advice to you if you want to reach the top. Go with a friend who will help your mental game.

I needed a lot of breaks. Luckily the trail has enough official and unofficial places to pause and catch your breath.

We each brought 17oz water bottles, which was barely enough. They were both emptied by about halfway back down.

Our total time up was 1:15 up and :45 down. I told you that I'm out of shape! My son would have been up and down in 1 hour, but...