Arizona · Hiking

Mormon Trail

Mormon TrailPhoto: dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.7 mi
round trip
634 ft
climb
1,993 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Nov–Apr
best months

Mormon Trail is an easy out-and-back hike in Phoenix South Mountain Park, a city-managed park in Arizona. The trail is 2.7 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 634 feet, taking you from a low point of about 1,267 feet to a high of about 1,993 feet. The cooler months are the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in South Phoenix show November highs around 74°F and lows near 48°F, while summer highs climb into the 100s. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher part of the route run cooler. Bikes and horses are both allowed on the trail. Climbers will find the Scrap Metal and Rock Tunnel Area climbing areas within a third of a mile. Hikers can also reach the Hidden Valley Trail and Young Man Trail, both about half a mile away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Nov–Apr

    Best time to visit Mormon Trail

    Best months: November–April. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      67° / 42°

      4 wet

    2. Feb

      71° / 44°

      4 wet

    3. Mar

      78° / 48°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      85° / 54°

      2 wet

    5. May

      93° / 61°

      1 wet

    6. Jun

      101° / 69°

      1 wet

    7. Jul

      103° / 77°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      101° / 78°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      97° / 71°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      87° / 59°

      2 wet

    11. Nov

      74° / 48°

      2 wet

    12. Dec

      65° / 41°

      3 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at South Phoenix, AZ, 3.2 mi away at 1,155 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Hidden Valley TrailPhoto: dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Hidden Valley Trail

Next door

0.97-mile out-and-back hike in Arizona with 33 ft of elevation gain.

Young Man TrailPhoto: dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Young Man Trail

Next door

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Desert Classic TrailPhoto: Joe K Gage, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Desert Classic Trail

~4 min drive

17.36-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 269 ft elevation gain.

Devestator TrailPhoto: dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Devestator Trail

~2 min drive

1.56-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 735 ft elevation gain

Old Man TrailPhoto: Mountain Mike Johans…, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Old Man Trail

~2 min drive

2.82-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 1,670 ft elevation gain

Ranger TrailPhoto: squeaks2569, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Ranger Trail

~8 min drive

2.95-mile out-and-back hike in Arizona with 301 ft gain.

Mormon Loop TrailPhoto: vwcampin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mormon Loop Trail

~2 min drive

2.56-mile out-and-back hike in Arizona with 426 ft gain.

Holbert TrailPhoto: Mountain Mike Johans…, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Holbert Trail

~4 min drive

3.9-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 1,837 ft elevation gain

Ridgeline TrailPhoto: vwcampin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Ridgeline Trail

~2 min drive

3.26-mile out-and-back hike in Arizona with 927 ft elevation gain

Bajada TrailPhoto: squeaks2569, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Bajada Trail

~7 min drive

7.04-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 242 ft elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors