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Album Guide to Javelina/Pima Wash Loop Topo
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Maps of the South Mountain Park/Preserve area are available from the Pueblo
Grande Museum located at 4619 E. Washington, Phx., AZ - 602-495-0901. The
City of Phoenix provides guided Hikes over several trails in the area (for a
nominal fee). This loop is completed by combining sections of four of the many trails in the City of
Phoenix South Mountain Park/Preserve. From the trail head, follow the Javelina
Canyon Trail for approximately 1.7 mi. to the crest of the ridge, cross over the
ridge, going down to the junction with the Mormon Loop. Turn left and follow the
Mormon Loop until you reach the junction of several trails marked by a 5 foot
high pyramid of stones. Again, take the left trail down to Pima Wash and
then follow the wash to its junction with Beverly Canyon Trail. The
Beverly Canyon Trail follows directly under the high power transmission lines
nearly all the way back to the parking area. All of the route is easy to follow because the trails are liberally marked
with sign posts. The only exception is the very first right-turn after
about a quarter of mile from the parking lot. The post is there but the
signs have been removed. Turn right (West) at this post, cross the small
wash and follow the trail up and over the small saddle to reach Javelina Canyon,
where the trail skirts a fenced reservoir. The rest is easy to follow. Petroglyphs are found throughout South Mountain Park and this loop will bring
you past at least four interesting groups. The rock art is thought to be
the work of the Hohokom who lived in the area and built miles of ancient canals
for their fields. The first group of Petroglyphs is found on the first
rock outcropping on Javelina trail, about a mile from the parking lot. (1)
The Petroglyphs are found on the West side of the outcropping and are easily
missed as you walk by. (2) At the junction of the Javelina trail and the
Mormon loop there is an outcropping beside the wash which features numerous
Petroglyphs. In addition to the ones that are visible from the trail,
there are more located on the other side (East) of the rocks. (3) After a
short walk after entering Pima Wash, you will scramble down a small slick-rock
fall. Both sides of the wash below the fall contain numerous
Petroglyphs. And finally, (4) somewhat before you reach the encroaching
housing development at the end of the Beverly Canyon Trail, there is a rock out
cropping on the West side of the small wash beside the trail. From the
trail you can see a very large Petroglyph which has been ruined by graffiti.
Cross the wash and go around the outcropping because again there are additional
examples of Rock Art on the other side (West) of the rocks.
Distance:
3.75 miles for the Loop
Difficulty:
Easy
Hike Time:
2 1/2 to 3 hours
Elevation:
1235 ft at the parking area to 1710 ft at the high point
Season:
Year Round
USGS Maps:
Guadalupe, Lone Butte
Directions:
From: PhoenixGo to 48th Street and Baseline, drive West to 46th
Street, turn South on 46th Street
and drive over the canal and through the little industrial area to reach the
trail-head parking area.
Sadly, I was reminded that we must always be careful not to leave anything in our cars while they are parked at trailheads. When I arrived at the parking lot at the end of 46th Street. there were at least two vehicles with freshly broken windows. Bring only what you intend to take on the hike with you.
There is no water along any of the trails so be sure to bring enough for the weather conditions - remember to expect very high temperatures in the summer. In addition to the usual trail etiquette, remember not to touch the Petroglyphs, they have suffered enough already under the ravages of time and vandals without the addition of oils from our hands.
Trekker