Skyline Circumference Trail

Skyline Circumference Trail is a 10-mile loop around the perimeter of Skyline Regional Park in Buckeye, Arizona.  This park is at the south end of the White Tank Mountain range that borders the west side of the Phoenix Metro.  This hike is a great way to see the park.

Hikers can go either clockwise or counter-clockwise but in the early hours there is slightly more shade for those who chose to go clockwise.  When going clockwise the trail starts with a very mellow incline and hikers should follow the signs to Pyrite Summit.  There are many trails that cross paths so hikers should make sure they are on the lookout for trail intersections.  It is approximately 3 miles to the junction of the spur trail to Pyrite Summit.  This trail inclines at a gradual pace and has around five small switchbacks. Once hikers reach the crest, there is a spur trail that hikers can choose to complete or they can continue to the backside of the crest.  Immediately, hikers will descend into a valley via a series of steep switchbacks.  Once the trail levels out, hikers will follow the trail towards the Valley Vista Summit, and once again hikers will ascend to a crest and have the option to hike to the summit.  Once over the crest, hikers will descend via the Mountain Wash Trail.  If hikers miss the turn to the Mountain Wash Trail they will return to the parking lot and cut roughly 3 miles off of the hike. Once hikers meet the Mountain Wash trail they should take a hard left to immediately ascend towards the Skyline Crest and instead of taking the Crest Trail should take the Lost Mine Trail to the Quartz Mine trail.  The Quartz Mine trail will loop hikers around the peaks of the skyline crest and return them to the parking lot.

This trail is wonderful in Spring, Fall and Winter.  If hikers choose to complete this trail in summer they should carry enough water as there is no water on the trail nor shade.