Telegraph Pass

We hiked Telegraph Pass on the south side of Phoenix’s South Mountain Park.

The park’s Web site claims the trail is 1.5 miles, but I doubt that’s accurate. It’s probably closer to one mile each way, judging by our time out on the trail.

The Telegraph Pass is a there-and-back trail.

The trailhead offers plenty of parking – close to 40 spots – but be warned that it is a popular trail. We pulled into the last open parking spot on a Sunday afternoon.

Water is available at the trailhead, too, but it lacks a restroom.

The trail begins as a paved walk in a residential area. It is wheelchair accessible. The trail leads away from homes and to the base of the mountains.

At a little less than a half-mile into the hike, the pavement ends and the desert hiking starts.

Follow the Telegraph Pass trail to the left. Hikers get a good look at the many TV and radio towers on top of the mountain.

The trail is narrow and rocky. It’s similar to Squaw Peak or Camelback Mountain, but didn’t seem as well maintained. It’s also not as strenuous as the other two.

That’s not to say it’s easy, though.

I was huffing and puffing as the trail climbed steadily up. It’s easier than Camelback and Squaw Peak because it’s shorter.

Telegraph Pass trail leads to Telegraph Pass Road. This spot offers some good city views. This is also the end of the trail.

We chose to continue on, though, and did a short section of the National Trail East. Another trail continues up the road to the left and leads to an old stone building.

National Trail is the longest in South Mountain Park. We followed it along a ridge for only a short time before doing an about-face and heading back down.

To get to the trail, take the Beeline Highway to the Loop 202 and head west. Get on Loop 101 south and then Hwy 60 west. Take the I-10 East exit and follow until Chandler Road.

Turn right onto Chandler (going west) to Desert Foothills Parkway. Turn right onto Desert Foothills Parkway.

The trailhead parking is between 6th and 7th street on the north side.

Parking and entry into the park are free.

This hike was first featured March 2003 and revised February 2007.