If you were to ask me what my all time favorite hike is in Arizona, without a doubt I would say Telegraph Pass. Growing up in Ahwatukee (Phoenix, AZ), this was an easy trail to access. From what I remember, the trailhead is relatively knew (updates done within the past 10-20 years.) The best part about this hike, other than the breath taking views, is the ability to change the difficulty level of this hike to what your exercise goals are. There are times when I’ve wanted to enjoy the views and walk at a slower pace with our family dog; and other times when I’ve wanted a great exercise and only had less than an hour to do it.
Telegraph pass is one of the many hiking trails on South Mountain. It’s actually on the south-west side of the mountain and you enter through the Desert Parkway trailhead. If you’re coming from I-10 or the 101, you take the south 202 until it turns into Pecos Road and continue to Desert Foothills Parkway. Driving north on Desert Foothills Parkway, you’ll cross Chandler Blvd and the trail will be on your right-hand side up the road about 1.5 miles on 7th street. There’s a good sized parking lot that accommodates about 40 or so cars. I’ve always been able to find a parking spot since they re-did it, which is constantly the pain in my side with other Arizona trails.
Starting the hike there is a paved road that blends in somewhat with the trail and shows you the views of surrounding homes. It’s the perfect jogging warm-up that takes you through a wash area and up a small hill. When the pavement ends there’s a sign for Telegraph Pass pointing to the left. If you go to the right, you’ll be hiking pretty flat along the backs of the houses. I had a friend who lived in the area and it was a perfect access trail from his backyard. Continuing on the trail, there is a gradual incline and you’ll come across what looks like natural stairs out of the rocks in the mountain. There’s also another path off to the right, which I’ve seen people go on, but I’m never ventured that direction. If I’m doing a trail run, this is the point where I decide if I’m going to continue jogging with very careful footing or if I’m going to slow down since it starts to get a bit more challenging with the incline.
Once you finish the bulk of the hike (the rock-stairs is the most incline in the entire hike), you’ll be at the top of this trail. There’s a bench to sit at to enjoy the views of the Desert Foothills neighborhood that you just came from. You’re actually in between a couple different mountains, so if you’d like to continue hiking you can go up the National Trail East or walk up the road to the National Trail West or Kiwanis Trail (more on these trails later.) Either way, take a break, stretch out your legs and give yourself a pat on the back. If you decide to go back to the parking lot and you’re walking the trail, it will take a total of about 1 – 1.5 hours. When I would run this trail a couple times a week, I was able to do it in 45 minutes and I’m definitely not the fastest. If you decided to run the trail back down, please be careful with your footing on the decline.
One thing I have to say, is to be careful of critters on this trail. It’s only happen a couple times during the many years that I’ve hiked this trail, but I have come across rattlesnakes. It’s typically around dusk (5-6pm) and in the early spring months (February – April.) From what I can remember it was always a week night too. Maybe that’s because there wasn’t as many people on the trail as there is during the weekend, but both times they were covered or protected underneath a rock or just off of the main trail, but they always let you know that they’re there and not to mess with them. You can hear their rattler. During these times of the year, I always see spiders, but I have a six sense for finding bugs (it’s a blessing and a curse.)
As always wear sunscreen and bring water. In the morning the sun is beating down on you most of the hike and at night it is tucked away from the mountain to the north, which makes it pretty chilly pretty fast. Also, if you decide to hike at dusk, make sure to look up the time of sunset and plan your hike to be done at that time. This past time I hiked I took a headlight with me to wear just in case. I was done with the hike a little after 6pm and it was pitch black, so I’m glad I had it with me.
What I wore:
Lululemon: Lavender swifty tech longsleeve crew top with thumb-holes; Black capri pants with mesh on the back of the legs; Flow Y sports bra, which I love because it has cups for that extra support, comfort and look, plus mine is in a cute print.
Victoria’s Secret: Bright yellow tank top with back detail.
Merrell: CTR Cruise hiking shoes from REI.
Additional source, here.
Be you, bravely.
The Foxy Kat
