Hike or Bike Holbert Trail

As a Phoenician, I’m fortunate to live near the nation’s largest municipal park that offers a large variety of hikes that meets every hikers skill level. South Mountain Park and Preserve covers more than 16,000 acres of Sonoran Desert.  Established in 1924 to preserve the area’s natural ecosystem and artifacts, it is regarded as one of the best recreational destinations in the Valley.

South Mountain boasts 51 miles of primary trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking for all ability levels.  Mount Suppoa (not accessible to the public) reaches 2,690 feet. Dobbins Lookout, at 2,330 feet, is the highest point in the park accessible by trail or public roadway. But my favorite trail is Holbert Trail because of the many petroglyphs along the way and the opportunity to reach Dobbins Lookout.

I have to admit that Holbert Trail is not the easiest way to familiarize yourself with South Mountain, but all the many points of interest along the way make it all worth it. You’ll begin with an easy stroll through “petroglyph alley,” a half-mile stretch of ancient rock art created by the Hohokam and other inhabitants of the Salt River Valley that date as far back as 300 B.C.

My favorite petroglyph display of rare water birds can be seen on the left up the hill.  A short distance later, you’ll cross an area used for cookouts and horseback riders. Past the petroglyphs the trail turns steeply uphill following a narrow, rocky path through palo verde and other desert foliage.  Then you reach a saddle and follow along the upper part of a wash with a small box canyon at the end. The intersection with the short, steep trail up to Dobbins point is near the top of the small canyon. Make sure to take it all in at Dobbins Lookout.  You’re a thousand feet above the Valley where you’ll enjoy the breathtaking vistas and urban landscape.

This is a great hike for beginners, since the first portion of the trail is relatively flat, and contains most of the petroglyphs.  The trail is a total of five miles roundtrip and reaches 2,330 feet elevation.

To get to Holbert Trail simply enter South Mountain Park (map) from Central Avenue. Just past the first guard gate, turn left toward the South Mountain Educational Center, and proceed east about 1/4 mile to the marked trailhead.  And if you’re interested in learning more about the rock art, visit the South Mountain Environmental Education Center.

Photo courtesy of flickr