Scar Mountain

Scar Mountain gets its name from the wide white wash that is visible from miles around. Easily seen from the Interstate, the wash now has a gravel road to its saddle. The roads leading up into the mountain are on the former Caterpillar Machinery terrain testing land and is now used by the locals for outdoor adventures. The trail starts at the parking lot where visitors walk past the Victory Stairs.  Hikers will make a right turn at the first cattle guard and follow the dirt road. Note that this hike is entirely on old dirt roads that are currently accessed only by maintenance vehicles.  The first mile or so is relatively flat and the trail will take a long right turn and the grade will become more noticeable. There is a brown dirt road in the distance this can be viewed from this portion of the trail. At mile 3.3 the trail will flow into a dirt road and the left turn there will be the final ascent to the saddle, hikers can make a right and head down the mountain if they so chose at this point. The final 0.8 miles is the steepest part of the trail but the reward is beautiful views of the West Valley from the top (and the feeling of accomplishment). Once at the top hikers can enjoy the view before heading back to the trailhead.  Hikers can go the way they came, but need to stay left at the junction with the approach trail in order to make the trail a loop.  Once hikers past the junction they just need to follow the trail back down the mountain, past the Victory Stairs, to the parking lot. The grade will steady out after 6.0 miles.

There is moderate use of the trail on the weekends and minimal on the weekdays making it a perfect after work hike.  The trail has minimal shade, so hikers should bring plenty of water and think twice about starting when the temperature is above 90 degrees.