Pima Canyon

by Chris 4/18/2000

To our amazement, Pima Canyon Road, which is a dirt road beginning from the parking lot at the South Mountain's 48th Street entrance, is easily and by far the most traveled area of the entire South Mountain Park. Of course, we have no scientifically accurate data to back up this claim, but everytime one of us goes there are hoards of people trekking up and down this path. (This includes the time Chris came stumbling out onto the path from being lost in the brush over an hour past sunset: there was a family of six Germans yapping back and forth in the darkness, completely unworried of what he feared to be certain death.) This is, of course, a happy thing, since Pima Canyon Road can easily handle the traffic, unlike the many other, smaller trails that criss-cross the park.

A main reason for this is that many people are in a hurry to get to National Trail and Mormon Loop. Anyone embarking specifically on these trails has enough on their hands without creating additional hazards along the way. However, if a short hike is on your mind, there is no reason to relegate yourselves to Pima Canyon Road over and over again. To my knowledge, there are four other worthy adventures available from this parking lot at Pima Canyon, each one worthy of a try.

Pima Wash: Pima Wash runs parallel and to the right of Pima Canyon Road for its duration, and the Wash actually continues beyond the road for quite a distance. It is very sandy and therefore wouldn't be of much use to runners or bikers, but hikers may find it enjoyable. There are also a lot of horseback riders that come through here so watch out for their remains. You can access Pima Wash by descending a mountain bike trail behind the ramada.

Desert Classic Trail: Desert Classic is a trail that starts from the southeast corner of the parking lot and goes behind the mountains that lie south of Pima Canyon. This isn't an effective way to get to the other end of Pima Canyon, but it is a great all-purpose trail. Mountain bikers make especially good use of this trail's level surface, with only a few ditches here and there. It is also a great trail for running or a casual hike. After a mile you do have the option of taking Ridgeline Trail back north over the mountains back into Pima Canyon.

Ridgeline Trail: This is an excellent way to get to the west end of Pima Canyon without following the dirt road. Take the mountain bike trail behind the ramada down to Pima Wash and cross up to a series of loops adequately named Loop One and Loop Two. Follow these west until you pop out at Ridgeline Trail. Follow Ridgeline west up the mountain and the trail will traverse a series of four small peaks. After the final peak it will come back down to meet up with Javalina Trail, which you can take south through the wash and meet up with Mormon Trail. You can follow Mormon Trail right to the west or take the quick stroll back east to meet back up with National Trail.

Marcos de Niza: This route actually follows an unnamed trail that Chris stumbled upon while trying to find a way to avoid Pima Canyon Road. Follow the sign for Marcos de Niza Rock at the beginning of the Desert Classic Trail. Follow the trail up Marcos de Niza Rock to the very top, and from there the trail continues west along the ridgeline. As you near the end of Pima Canyon, the trail hooks right and descends down toward the bottom of the canyon, going past the abandoned ramadas along the way.

Getting There: The park entrance is on 48th Street, one-half mile south of Baseline. Enter the park going west past an empty information booth.