Pinnacle Peak Trail: A Challenging Picturesque Hike in Scottsdale
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The thought of hiking in the intolerable Phoenix heat during the summer is an unbearable thought. Even pre-sunrise, the temps still crawl into the 90’s. Luckily, with the arrival of winter comes almost perfect hiking conditions. Living in Flagstaff, I love to plan daytrips here to escape the snow and frosty temps. Phoenix winters are mostly sunny, dry, and mild. This means you can actually enjoy the wonderful hikes without worrying about heat exhaustion.
I’ve heard of all too many sad deaths by hikers who were unprepared for the harsh summer conditions. When I am craving a break from the pines, a gorgeous hike amongst the beautiful Saguaro cacti will always help brighten my mood. I love the snow but Flagstaff gets a lot so a nice escape every now and then is a lot of fun.
The beautiful Sonoran desert surrounds the metro area, providing endless opportunities for recreation. Higher-than-average rainfall results in a diverse range of plants and animals. In fact, the Sonoran Desert is known to be the Wettest Desert in the World. A surprisingly lush & gorgeous trail amidst the suburban congestion is Pinnacle Peak. This is a beautiful trail in Scottsdale: one of my personal favorites despite it being a monster challenge. I really love hiking anywhere in this metro but this trail is especially gorgeous with so many amazing overlooks of the city and mountains. Plus, it’s super easy to get to.
A beautiful & popular hike in the middle of it all
Scottsdale is basically the definition of US suburbia. The area is overrun with so many strip malls and HOAs. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a gorgeous area with many great restaurants and local attractions, but it is heavily trafficked and congested. I love shopping here, but I don’t like being stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. The mountain scenery at this local park really is spectacular considering it is just miles away from all the strip malls.
Because of the spectacular scenery, easy access, and awesome workout, this park is one of the region’s most popular hiking destinations, especially during the cooler months. Despite the crowds, I would recommend any avid hikers visiting the metro to check this one out. Even with fewer crowds in summer, I would still recommend a winter visit due to the more comfortable temperatures.
In fact, this trail is way too hard to even consider during the summer months. It wouldn’t be safe as is the case for most other long and hard treks. If you must hike in the summer, I would keep it short with something simple like the Kiwanis Trail at South Mountain or the Merkle at Usery Mountain.
A better workout than the Stairmaster (you can skip the gym!)
This trail is definitely challenging, and I would only recommend it to those currently in great shape. The elevation gain is a whopping 1300 feet with a high point of 2889 feet. If you have ever hiked Camelback, know this one is just as tough in my experience. There are many easier hiking options in the metro featuring great views if you are not up for a tough trek (the Gateway loop at the McDowell preserve is a great alternative).
There are numerous uphill and downhill sections throughout the 3.5 mile journey. You will definitely get your workout in for the day and more. The path is wide and smooth so you never really feel like you are slipping – I still recommend a hiking stick and good hiking shoes for extra traction.
Many of the uphill sections consist of stairs, which makes climbing easier. I actually hate hiking downhill without stairs: it’s so much harder and you really have to stabilize yourself to avoid slipping on the rocks. If you choose to complete the entire hike, be prepared for an amazing lower body workout!
I didn’t need to go to the gym for a few days following this hike. My legs were actually starting to shake near the last mile. Let’s just say, it’s pretty intense. Let me just say that the gorgeous mountain scenery makes up for the hard effort. It’s hard to workout at the gym in this area when the nature is so stunning.
Gorgeous cacti everywhere & a high possibility of wildlife encounters
The beautiful Sonoran Desert provides a stunning backdrop for any hike in this area, with gorgeous Saguaro Cactus everywhere you look. I have always loved cacti since my first time visiting Phoenix many years ago. There is something so mysterious and otherworldly about desert scenery.
If you plan your visit at the right time you might even see some wildlife. A wide variety of mammals and reptiles call this desert home including bobcats, mountain lions, tortoises, and diamondback rattlesnakes. Some snakes are poisonous so you never want to provoke them or get too close. Always keep away from rocks as they are known to hide in the dark.
Most of the time you will not see anything as these animals are nocturnal and rarely come out during the day. I’ve only seen bobcats and gila monsters in the Tucson area thus far, but surprisingly nothing anywhere in Phoenix. I’ve seen a few snakes but never on a trail which is a good thing! Your best chance is planning your hike near dawn or dusk, although I would not recommend setting out on this hike too late due to the lengthy time commitment involved (plan at least 2 -2.5 hours).
A welcome break from suburbia
Every turn is another gorgeous overlook of the surrounding mountains, green golf courses, and the extravagant mansions. The vibe is quiet with no traffic noise: just simple pure nature. It’s nice to be able to escape from the suburban congestion (even if just for a few hours) to enjoy a quiet stroll and great workout outside of the gym.
It’s crazy to think that this gorgeous natural area is so close to such a bustling metro area, yet feels like as if it is so far away! On a side note, despite the traffic and unending strip malls, there are some great attractions in this city. I recommend checking out the Odysea Aquarium and Old Town which is home to a lot of great local restaurants and galleries. Somehow the suburbs seem so beautiful and peaceful this far up!
Why you should hike this trail
Whether you are a local seeking your new hiking destination or a tourist looking for a challenging desert climb, this hike is an excellent choice. A fresh walk in nature surrounded by one of the only places in the world that you can take in the majestic Saguaro cactus is definitely worthy of your time!
While I love all the shops and malls in this area, there is much more that most tourists unfortunately skip out on. I think a lot of tourists stay at a fancy resort and forget about all the wonderful natural areas so easily accessible. This would be a real shame in my opinion. The highlight of this area is 100% the beautiful natural surrounding so be sure to take advantage during your stay.
How much time do you need?
Give yourself more time than you think you need on this trail due to the time consuming uphill and downhill sections. Taking breaks, snapping photos, and simply enjoying the beauty around you will quickly add in to your total time. It took us a little over 2 hours, so anywhere from 2-3 hours should be adequate.
Location and additional info
The trailhead is located at: 26802 N. 102nd Way
Parking is free, although it tends to fill up fast on weekends. Arrive early to ensure a close spot, or you may find yourself walking a bit.
Restrooms, water, and picnic tables can be found near the entrance.
Dogs are not allowed in an attempt to protect the ecosystem.
Tips for hiking in the desert during the winter months
- Bring plenty of water. Even though the temps are cooler, the air is still dry and this hike involves many climbs where you will definitely wort up a sweat. Multiple bottles or a camelbak is recommended.
- Bring with a few snacks. Eating salty snacks is a good idea when building up a sweat to help replenish electrolytes. I like Karrs peanut mix. I usually also bring Gatorlyte packets.
- Eat a quality breakfast before setting out so you do not tire as quickly. For a great budget friendly choice in the area, check out Scramble. They serve amazing healthy food (lots of vegan and GF choices too) and fabulous coffee. I love sitting on the patio enjoying endless coffee.
- Wear good hiking shoes, carry a hiking stick, and wear proper workout apparel. I can’t believe how many hikers I saw wearing jeans!
- Never approach wildlife! I’ve heard of numerous bobcat and gila monster attacks in the state in recent years.
- Plan your hike earlier in the morning to beat the crowds and heat. It’s best to avoid this one in summer.
