February 21, 2008
A few years ago, I attended a lecture given by former FAA Deputy Administrator Barbara Barrett. She noted that she met her husband, Intel Chairman Craig Barrett, at the top of Squaw Peak (also known as Piestewa Peak). I mention this because Squaw Peak's Summit Trail is a laid-back, people watching alternative to the Scottsdale social scene. The hike is a nice mix of rigorous workout, pick-up joint and city lookout all in one.
Other towns boast sprawling central parks where beautiful people meet and jog. Phoenicians have Squaw Peak. Over the years, as Phoenix transitioned from small town to city to megalopolis, it has retained, at its core, Squaw Peak. It's still a gathering place for tourists and natives alike - all hell bent on getting to the top. Some complete two to three rounds of the 2.4-mile RT trail in one workout. The paths are dusty and hard with large, step-like rocks in many spots. The downhill can be particularly tough on the knees. Like San Jacinto Peak, you need to scale boulders to the top where you will find great views of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale and Tempe.
Details:
- 1.2 miles -one way
- 2,200 ft elevation
- Rocky, hard, dusty trails with desert vegetation
- A few handrails towards the top
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