Trail 100

Trail 100 is a point to point trail that traverses the Phoenix Mountain Range.  The trail one way is 11.0 miles, but for hikers who do not want to shuttle vehicles it can be done as an out and back.  The trail starts in Mountain View Park.  Hikers should follow the signs for trail 100.  Starting out there are views of Shaw Butte and North Mountain.  Majority of this trail is wide enough to walk two people deep and also can be used for mountain biking.  Portions of this trail are also used for horseback riding so hikers should be aware.  

Leaving Mountain View Park, hikers will walk through North Mountain Park.  There is a popular trailhead that is used for shorter hikes in the park.  Shortly after the hikers will cross the first major road by walking underneath 7th street via a tunnel.  For the next section, the trail will meander through hills until the first views of Piestewa Peak come into view.  Hikers will meander down to Cave Creek Road and again use a tunnel underpass to go under the road.  The next section of trail meanders along a subdivision as hikers work their way towards the Highway 51 underpass.  This is the final underpass of the trail and long enough where hikers may want to use some form of artificial light to make their way through the tunnel. 

Once on the east side of the tunnel hikers are in the most remote, and scenic section of the trail.  Hikers will be on the north side of Piestewa Peak and have the most difficult climb of the day after the underpass while passing Piestewa Peak.  Once hikers reach that saddle the rest of the hike is mostly downhill. Hikers will work their way to the end of the trail, which is the trailhead at Tatum Boulevard. 

This is a beautiful way to see the mountains that Phoenix is built around.  Once the sun comes up there is minimal shade on the trail and hikers should be prepared.  The best time of year to hike in Phoenix is October-April and outside of the cooler weather hikers should ensure that they have enough water for any adventure.