Pinnacle Peak Trail is a 3.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Carefree, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.
Pinnacle Peak Park Trail is somewhat of a misnomer. On approach, your mouth almost waters imagining yourself on top of the quirky, turnip-shaped rock seemingly balanced on the 3171 pyramid-shaped mountain in front of you. But unfortunately the trail skirts the peak, and the squat stone turnip. The highest point of the trail reaches only 2889. This is not truly a peak hike. That said, the Scottsdale trail does offer spectacular views of the surrounding area. A little past the 1/2 mile marker, Grandview rest stop presents a panorama of the valley and McDowell Mountain only 2.5 miles away. From Owls Rest, one mile up the trail, you can make out Camelback Mountain in the distance. The Pinnacle Peak Trail is not a loop trail, but meanders for 1.75 miles before ending. You must return over the same trail. This 3.5-mile round-trip, moderate hike has no facilities along the trail, so fill your water bottles at the drinking fountains located near the clean restrooms at the trailhead. Beware of trail runners and joggers when the trail is crowded. Although runners are supposed to yield to other trail users, those heading downhill did not give much berth to those bunched up behind slow hikers. Weekends are crowded. Hiking during early morning hours or on week days is recommended for those who enjoy quiet. Weekend trekking is fun for socializing and you may meet young families that hike Pinnacle Peak Park. Pinnacle every week throughout most of the year. Although they tend to avoid hot day hiking in summer months. An access trail for rock climbers leads to the summit, but hikers are not allowed on this part of the mountain. Note to climbers: park staff does not create or maintain fixed anchors on any climbing route, but new routes requiring fixed anchors are not allowed. Fixed anchor locations are limited to those already established.
Large parking area with water
City of Scottsdale Phone: (480) 312-0990
Very popular hike and parking is limited. Expect to park on the street. NO dogs. t's the type of hike that can give you a good workout without being overly stressful or difficult. The problem is that everyone knows this so the trail can be rather crowded. With the very well maintained surface this is also a popular hike for runners so be aware that you may need to do some dodging from time to time. There's a useful ranger type station at the trail-head for local info and help.
26802 N. 102nd Way Scottsdale, AZ 85262 (1 mile S. of Dynamite & Alma School)
October 17, 2020Little crowded but beautiful from Cherre
October 15, 2020
October 15, 2020October 15, 202070 degrees. Beautiful day
October 14, 2020It was a good hike. I’m glad I did it because I’ve wanted to do it for a long time. There were A LOT of people on the trail; I started around 8am on a Sunday morning. The trail is well marked. You can’t hike to the top of the peak so that was a big bummer. There are still some great views along the way. I like that my thighs got a good work out. The trail kind of ends on the other side of the mountain in a neighborhood with private land so I turned around and went back. I’m glad I did it. It’s a great hike but I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because I like to get to the top of peaks and there were a lot of people on the trail.
October 13, 2020Well marked. Would recommend hiking all the way to the fence to complete the hike and get in a good workout. I would agree it’s a moderate hike - my family of 6 did this while visiting the area (kids 15,14, 14 & 10). We are from CO so we enjoy hiking and would do this one again.
October 13, 2020October 12, 2020Busy
October 12, 2020Love this hike!
October 11, 2020October 10, 2020new beautiful views at every turn.
October 10, 2020Always a great, challenging trail. A ton of people out this morning. If you want a quieter hike, go somewhere else ;-)
October 8, 2020Good hike. Had a stop start on app but overall good time. With Cherre
October 7, 2020October 6, 2020October 6, 2020This was my first experience hiking a mountain and it was amazing!
October 6, 2020October 5, 2020A hard moderate trail. Well maintained and popular
October 5, 2020Relatively easy hike with many scenic views. Lots of people on the narrow path. And make sure you wear the right shoes. I did not, and broke my wrist about 2 miles in after slipping on a switchback.
October 4, 2020October 2, 2020Record time with Cherre
October 2, 2020I started around 8am on a Sunday morning so the first half of the hike was in sunshine and the second half was on the shady side of the mountain. It was nice. I finished in about 90 min - out and back. There was quite a bit of traffic, more than my persona liking, but reviews told me to expect this. And for the most part, people stayed to the right so you could pass on the left as needed. The trail is very well marked. It goes up and over, down to a dead end/community of houses and then you turn around and go back. It is not a loop. And there are some areas where there are wooden steps to help and I liked those. There are several signs that educate you about the different wildlife that possibly live there but I didn’t see any critters on my hike. There were some good views of the Estancia golf course. Big bummer than the trail doesn’t summit to the top of the peak. It is still a good hike. Im glad I finally did it! But I probably won’t go back because of how busy it was.
September 30, 2020Saw small rattlesnake curled up under a rock right on the trail about a quarter mile into the hike (about 1130am). Very scenic and relatively easy hike.
September 30, 2020September 29, 2020September 28, 2020September 25, 2020Busy but beautiful trail. Well groomed and marked. Good views. Destination is not a lookout point.
September 24, 2020Great views, diverse elevation, some shade. Didn’t go all the way since it Looked like it just goes down to a neighborhood and back up.
September 24, 2020Beautiful. Record time. Leaving to Co tomorrow
September 21, 2020Well marked and maintained. The surrounding views from start to finish are great.
