Desert Classic Trail

Desert Classic Trail is a 17.4-mile out-and-back hike in Phoenix South Mountain Park, Arizona, on city-managed land. The route rises about 270 feet from a low point of 1,333 feet to a high of 1,586 feet, and it is rated hard. Winter and early spring are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in South Phoenix show January highs around 67°F and lows near 42°F, while summer highs climb into the 100s. That station sits about 430 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the trail run a little cooler. The trail is open to both horses and bikes. Pima Wash Trail and Pima West Loop Trail start just 0.1 mile away, and the Marcos de Niza Trail for mountain biking is about 0.2 mile off. Climbers can find the Desert Classic Boulder area roughly 1.2 miles away.