Lousley Hill Trail

You can leave your house, hike up Squaw Peak, gaze out over the Grand Canyon, and be home in an hour.

Impossible?

Literally, yes. But with a little imagination, a small hike in the McDowell Mountain Regional Park can be those things and more.

It’s called the Lousley Hill Trail.

The 1.2-mile loop trail begins just off a small parking lot. It soon leaves the blacktop behind and leads hikers into a wide wash.

Rocks on either side mark the trail. Just a short way from the trailhead, the Lousley Hill Trail comes to a fork in the road.

The trail to the right leads up the base of Lousley Hill. It begins with longer climbs up slight inclines.

Once you’ve got a good sweat going, though, the trail begins a zigzag cut up the slope, increasing the difficulty some.

Combine a handful of switchbacks, a few challenging inclines and the rocky trail underfoot, and it’s not hard to imagine you’re on Squaw Peak.

The view at the Lousley Hill peak is a nice reward, too.

Though you’re not peering over downtown Phoenix, the sights atop Lousley Hill include panoramic views of Four Peaks, the Goldfield Mountains, Red Mountain, the McDowells and Rio Verde.

From the summit, the trail follows the ridge of the hill. Walking east, hikers get a bird’s eye look at the desert floor below.

On the right slope of the hill, hikers see packs of bright green cholla cactus. On the left, remnants of the Rio Fire.

The trail winds its way back down Lousley Hill and soon comes to a pleasant overlook.

For those wanting a break, this is the spot. A concrete bench rests under the shade of a tree. In front of the bench, a metal railing protects hikers from a sharp drop-off.

Anyone with an active imagination can equate this spot to the Grand Canyon. Certainly the view isn’t as majestic, but standing on the edge of a rocky cliff high above the desert floor and is still breathtaking.

From there, the trail meanders down the hill and back into the wide wash. Follow the marked trail out and back to the parking lot.

At an even clip, the loop trail can be accomplished in a half hour.

Hikers looking for a serious workout might be better off trying something more challenging. The trail is mostly easy with a few steeper spots.

But for all levels of hikers, the Lousley Hill Trail offers some surprising views.

The trail is inside McDowell Mountain Regional Park, just three miles north of Fountain Hills.

From the park’s main gate, follow the road 4.8 miles to Lousley Drive South. Lousley Hill Trail is the second trailhead along the road (Nursery Tank is the first).

Restrooms and a picnic area are available.

There is a $5 per vehicle fee to enter the park.

What: Lousley Hill Trail

Where: McDowell Mountain Regional Park

4.8 miles from the main gate

Price: $5 per vehicle

Info: (480) 471-0173

This hike was first featured November 2000 and revised February 2007.