Pinnacle Peak

I got up early today to do a sunrise hike at Pinnacle Peak up in Scottsdale. Pinnacle Peak is a small mountain located in north Scottsdale just northwest of the McDowell Mountains. At 3,170 feet, it's one of the smaller peaks in the valley but is still a beautiful hike. While it can be crowded with trail runners and people hiking for their daily exercise in the mornings and on weekends, it is still nowhere as congested as Camelback or some of the other valley hikes.

Pinnacle Peak Park is operated by the City of Scottsdale and is a very nice facility for a short day hike. Volunteers do an excellent job of keeping the trail free from trash and the trail is extremely well marked and well maintained. Mileage signs are very well marked and there is signage throughout the park identifying the wide variety of desert plants that can be found along the trail. This makes the hike an awesome place to do a nature hike and learn about the Sonoran Desert. The trail itself is not too terribly difficult, 3.5 miles roundtrip out and back with 500 ft. elevation gain. The trail itself does not go to the summit of the peak, but it can be accessed by rock climbers with proper equipment. The highest point on the trail crests at 2,889 ft. making it a solid workout. All in all the trail can be completed in about an hour and a half. Note that dogs are unfortunately not allowed on the trail.

Pinnacle Peak on the Right, viewed from the parking lot

Starting from the parking lot, you'll pass the visitors center which features a booth providing information about the trail, City of Scottsdale Parks, and desert flora and fauna. The park itself is 150 acres (it was 185 acres at one point but a housing developer bought 35 of them in the mid 1990s to build giant-ass houses for rich people - not cool although this did provide significant funding for the park) so it provides a decent sized preserve of Sonoran Desert wildlife. The park features many species of birds including Gambel's Quail, Roadrunner, Gila Woodpecker, and Cactus Wren. Reptiles include the Chuckwalla, Desert Spiny Lizards, Desert Tortoise, and of course Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes, so stay on the trail. Mammals are less frequently seen but include Javelina, Coyote, Bobcat, and rarely Mountain Lions. 

A view of some Giant Saguaro with the McDowell Mountains to the left

Looking northeast towards Brown's Ranch 

 After slightly more than a half mile of hiking through desert flora that includes Ocotillo, Saguaro Cactus, Jojoba, and Brittle Brush, the trail reaches Grandview, a rest area featuring a circular stone bench and stone view finders that point out significant peaks across the valley. Grandview features an excellent view of Four Peaks to the east and a bird's eye view of some of the nicest golf courses in the valley. 

Grandview at sunrise

Just shy of the 3/4 mile marker you reach the highest point on the trail which offers a good view of the summit 300' above. Just shy of the mile marker is Owl's Rest, a second rest area with benches and view finders. This is one of the best views on the trail providing a great look at Camelback Mountain to the south. This is also a popular place for people to turn around. However, if you decide to continue the trail dips back down to 2,366 ft. at the west trailhead over the course of 3/4 of a mile. The second half of the hike after Owl's Rest is also the most physically demanding so make sure you have plenty of water and good shoes. It offers a nice hike through the desert landscape but is not nearly as scenic as the first half of the hike. 

The highpoint on the trail with the summit in the background

Owl's Rest with Camelback Mountain in the distance

Golf course views - not quite the wilderness but still pretty 

While venemous snakes such as the Coral Snake or Western Diamondback Rattlesnake can be seen in the park, they are not commonly seen on the trail and prefer the solitude of the brush where people are not supposed to be. The biggest threat you'll most likely encounter on the trail is the Teddy Bear Cholla, a spiky plant that is not nearly as cute as its name suggests. Even lightly brushing it will usually result in a segment of the plant detaching and sticking firmly to clothing, skin, and backpacks. I have to admit I feel some major schadenfreude watching someone trying to remove cholla from their clothing because the hundreds of tiny spikes tend to stick to whatever is being used to remove them resulting in the situation quickly escalating into lots of spikes in lots of places. It's especially hilarious when you watch someone read a sign cautioning them about the plant and then decide to touch it (just the tip, just for a second, just to see how it feels...) as if they thought the sign might be lying to them. Although it's it's really painful and not very amusing when it happens to you, so be sure to admire from afar.

Teddy Bear Cholla - do not touch

All in all, the hike is a great place to watch a sunrise or sunset, get a good workout, or enjoy a relaxing educational nature hike. Enjoy the hike and leave no trace!

The Hike:

Pinnacle Peak, 3.5 miles roundtrip out and back, 500' elevation gain

Get there from the Pima Rd./ Princess Dr. exit of the 101. Take Pima Rd. north to Happy Valley Rd. Make a right and then a left on Alma School, followed by a left to the park.