We were a small group of five hikers heading out from the Buena Vista Lookout trailhead for the National trail to Fat man’s Pass and Hidden Valley Loop.

The trail descends gradually and there are beautiful views of Phoenix to the North then the trail goes on the south facing slope and you have views to the south.

The wildflowers were in full bloom with the hillsides covered with Brittlebush, Globemallow, Lupine, Scorpion Weed and Mexican Gold Poppies.

We reached the turnoff for Fat Man’s Pass at 1.77 miles. Ted took the side trail bypassing Fat Man’s Pass and the rest of us managed to squeeze through. “I’ve been through before,” says he.

The trail turns North toward Hidden Valley.

We had to duck down through a short tunnel and then across slickrock where we had to sit and slide down to continue on the trail.

At Hidden Valley we climbed up on the rocks where we could sit and have our snacks and enjoy the views of the valley, Squaw Peak, Camelback, and Four Peaks.

After our snacks we climbed back to the trail and went through a natural tunnel about 15 ft in length and rejoined the National Trail and back to the Buena Vista Lookout.

The climb out was gradual but it was getting warmer so we stopped several times to sit in the shade to cool off.

The total distance was 4.4 miles, with an elevation change of +-800 ft.

Pictures and map by Ted Tenny.

Sandy Dwyer, our newest hike leader for the Arizona Trailblazers, led a thoroughly delightful hike to Hidden Valley in South Mountain Park. The flowers are still blooming, and the weather was just right when we started, getting a bit warm at the end. On the way home I stopped for a salad lunch at Sweet Tomatoes in Tempe.