The Pinnacle Peak Hike In Scottsdale Arizona

Pinnacle Peak is a granite summit that can be found in Scottsdale, Arizona. It’s 150-acres and is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the value due to its accessibility and spectacular, expansive views. The summit rises 600 feet from the desert floor and can be seen for miles and miles in the Valley. There are no admission or parking fees for visiting the summit.

The Summit’s History

The area surrounding Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale was used by the Hohokam Native Americans for food gathering and hunting. As settlers began to take the land, they used the area for mining and ranching. Homes were being built within sight of the summit. Pinnacle Peak became a part of the Arizona State Trust Land. The summit and the surrounding area were annexed into Scottsdale in the 1980s. It was then that it was established as a 185-acre park. 35-acres of the park was sold in 1994 to a housing development in exchange for the construction and funding of the main trail. The park was closed for six years for construction, only opening back up in 2002.

Trails to Hike

The trail is 1.75 miles (3.5 miles round trip) of beautifully groomed plants and is accessible to hikers of all abilities. The park has benches throughout for relaxation that also provides information about the mileage and has informative signs about the area. The trail has many switchbacks and, half a mile from the trailhead, the trail opens up to a scenic lookout that’s named the Grandview.

There are areas of the park that are dedicated to experienced rock climbers. Summit access can be found on the east side of the park. The most popular summit route on Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale is the South Crack. The South Crack route is three pitches of trad climbing. Trad climbing is a shortening of traditional climbing. There are belay anchors at the top of the pitches. The second and third pitch may be combined into a single pitch because the third pitch is considerably short. When climbers descend, they repel from the east side of the second pitch. They go down to a large flat surface on the first pitch. From the first pitch, you can downclimb or rappel to get to the bottom.

Another great hike in Scottsdale is Tom’s Thumb Trail if you still have some energy after hiking Pinnacle Peak.

Wildlife of the Trail

The trails contain a lot of desert wildlife including Gila monsters, desert tortoises, bobcats, and Diamondbacks. You shouldn’t worry too much about the snakes as they are rare to find. If you do see one, don’t panic, they won’t just leap at out of nowhere. In the warmer months, you might spot one sunbathing in the middle of the trail, and it’s best to wait a few moments for the creature to move along.

Hiking Safety

It’s important to take precautions when hiking in the desert as injury and dehydration can become unsuspecting dangers. Be sure when you hike in the summer that it’s only in the early morning. Rescues are a common occurrence in the summer due to people suffering from heat exposure. Always carry plenty of water with you no matter the season and be sure to wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from the unrelenting sun. Wear the right footwear to support your ankle and make sure they provide good traction. Most importantly, tell someone where you’re heading and bring your cell phone in case of emergencies.

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