The weather, with low 44°, high 70°, is ideal to have outdoor activities as parachuting or hot air ballooning.

Apache Wash Trailhead had its grand opening on November 9, 2013. In addition to providing access to over 20 miles of new hiking trails, this site includes restrooms, maps, and plenty of parking (but no water). We are so impressed with excellent signs including location, elevation, mileage, GPS coordinates and QR codes for downloading maps. Additionally, the color on the sign is matched with trail’s color on the map.

All trails are well marked, wide, and easy to follow. We hope that some day South Mountain Park will have these signs, to avoid dramatic deaths lately due to getting lost.

At the trailhead we follow the markers with “S” on a light blue background which marks the trail. The trail begins gradual climb up some low hills. At milepost 0.83 the trail reaches junction with the Apache Vista Trail. Some of the group in front keep going and they don’t hike up to this trail. Only 11 people hike up the Apache Vista Trail. This trail is an out and back to the top of the hill. The view from here is fantastic.

The Sidewinder trail is flat for the next 0.6 miles. After that gradual climbs for the next 0.6 miles and descents reaching the junction with the Ridgeback trail at milepost 2.5. The option 1 group led by Wendy turns here.

From here, the Sidewinder Trail begins a gradual to moderate climb up the highest hill in this section of the Sonoran Desert. Milepost 3.75, elevation is 2,087 ft.

From the highest point, this trail begins series of switchbacks downhill until we reach the junction with the Ocotillo Trail at milepost 4.75. We take the Ocotillo Trail to hike back to the parking lot.

The Ocotillo trail with mostly flat, many minor ups-downs, a favorite for biking and horseback riding.

Lesson learned: Pass radio around to hikers for communication, even when the trail is well-marked.