Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Table Top Mountain Day Hike

when	Trip Report : March 6, 2022
	Trip Report : March 9, 2014
	Trip Report : November 27, 1998
where	Sonoran Desert National Monument
the hike	This challenging hike is for fit hikers.     The trail follows old jeep tracks toward the mountain for the first two miles and is relatively flat, dipping in and out of several dry washes. After reaching the base of Tabletop Mountain, the trail begins to narrow and starts climbing along a ridge and through a long series of steep switchbacks on the west face of the mountain, gaining over 2,000 feet before finally reaching the south summit plateau. From here it’s a rough half-mile, off-trail bushwhack to the higher (by 17 feet) north summit. Required: •  Sturdy hiking boots •  At least 3 liters of water •  Rain poncho •  Hat, sunblock, sunglasses •  Hiking sticks (a must) Recommended: •  Lunch or snacks •  Camera •  Your smiles :)
distance	7.5 miles round trip to the south summit. 8.5 miles round trip to the north summit
time	5-6 hours
EC	+-2052' elevation change
elevations	2,304 feet at the trailhead. 4,356 feet at the north summit
type	round trip
starting at	Table Top Trailhead 32° 42.990' N,  112° 9.571' W  [NAD27]
on trail	90% (Cross-country bushwhack to the north summit.)
rating	"B"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs allowed	no
cost	The club allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
weather	Casa Grande
drive	•  From Ray Road, take I-10 East. • South of Chandler, exit onto SR 347 (Queen Creek Road / Maricopa Road). • Drive south on SR 347 for 28 miles through the Gila River Indian Reservation and the town of Maricopa. • At the T-junction with SR 84, make a right turn (west) and drive 6 miles to I-8. • Drive for another 7 miles west on I-8. Watch for Exit 144 (Vekol Valley Road). • Take the exit and go over the freeway and turn right on the loop ramp as if you were going to go back east on I-8, but take the turnoff to Vekol Valley Road instead (watch for the sign) from the on ramp before getting onto the Interstate. • Make certain you exit onto Vekol Valley Road before getting on I-8. • Continue south on Vekol Valley Road for 2.1 miles to a Y-junction. • At the junction stay right (Vekol Ranch is left) and start following the “Trail” signs. A large Sonoran Desert National Monument sign is to your right at the junction. • Drive for another 9 miles and turn left (east) at the junction across a large cattle guard onto a smaller dirt road. This is the roughest section of road to the trailhead. • Drive for a mile and turn right at the next junction. • Follow this road for another 3.2 miles to the marked trailhead and park here NOTE: High clearance vehicles only for this trip. The last few miles are extremely rough, especially across the washes. There is a vault toilet at the trailhead.

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updated March 10, 2022	© Copyright 2021, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.