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Take A Hike! All throughout the Valley of the Sun, majestic mountains rise high into the sky from the neighborhoods of the city. These mountains are largely protected as preserves and parks. The Phoenix Mountain Preserve is an entire mountain range that is completely surrounded by city. Other parks such as South Mountain Park and Echo Canyon Park offer mountainous climbs with a close-up desert experience and city views. Echo Canyon Park Echo Canyon Park is located on Mc Donald Drive just east of Tatum Boulevard. From Fountain Hills take Shea Boulevard westbound, or right. Follow Shea into Scottsdale all the way to Tatum Boulevard. Turn left at Tatum Boulevard and follow it until it ends at Mc Donald. Turn left and drive approximately one block. The entrance will be on the right just below the mountain.
This hike begins at a trailhead along Tatum Boulevard and ends at Mountain View Park on 7th Avenue. Along the way there are numerous trails that connect to Trail 100. The trail begins in a residential area, but quickly leaves the area for open mountain and desert landscapes of the 7,000 acre Phoenix Mountain Preserve. The trail connects with other preserves in the area forming an extensive network of trails. Access is located off Tatum Boulevard. From Fountain Hills take Shea Boulevard westbound, right. Follow Shea into Scottsdale all the way to Tatum Boulevard. Turn left. Take Tatum to just past Double Tree Ranch Road. The trailhead is a small parking lot on the right side. For further information about the Phoenix Mountain Preserve visit the City of Phoenix web site.
Known as the world's largest municipal park, South Mountain Park covers some 16,500 acres. The park features 12 great hiking trails. From the ridges of South Mountain views of the entire Valley can be seen stretching as far east, north, and west as the eye can see. At the top of the mountain there are 360 degree panoramic views of the valley and southern horizon all the way to Tucson. The main entrance of South Mountain Park is located at the southern end of Central Avenue. An access point closer to Fountain Hills, however, is just south of the Pointe Hilton Resort at South Mountain at the eastern tip of the park. To get there from Fountain Hills take Shea Boulevard eastbound, left, to the Beeline Highway (State Route 87). Turn right. Take 87 to Loop 202 Freeway. Turn right entering onto the freeway. Take Loop 202 to the Loop 101 transition following the southbound 101 ramp exit. Take 101 southbound to US 60. Take the east US 60 exit toward I-10. Exit off US 60 at Priest Drive. Turn left onto Priest and follow it to Baseline. At Baseline turn right. Follow Baseline to 48th Street. At 48th Street turn left. Follow 48th Street through the Point Hilton at South Mountain Resort. Drive slowly through the residential area, there are a lot of speed bumps. Just beyond the residential area turn right onto Pima Canyon Road. Follow the road along the golf course to the end. There is a parking lot and picnic ramadas at the trailhead. For further information about South Mountain Park visit the City of Phoeinx web site.
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