Hikes Phoenix Area and Central Arizona San Tan Regional Park - Out and Back to the Graves

San Tan Regional Park - Out and Back to the Graves New

January 26, 2012 87 0Add

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San Tan Regional Park - Out and Back to the Graves

Location

How to Get There

This hike is located near Queen Creek, AZ.

From the Phoenix area, take US-60 East to the Ellsworth Road Exit. Go South on Ellsworth Road, which eventually turns into the Hunt Highway going East. Take the Hunt Highway, turning right onto Thompson Road. From Thompson Road, turn left on Phillips Road and park in the designated parking area. The turn-offs to Thompson Road and Phillips Road are both signed for the San Tan Mountain Regional Park.

city

queen creek

state

Region

Phoenix Area and Central Arizona

Hike details

Distance

4.40 [Miles] Round trip

Hike Distance- Details

4.4 miles total for the out and back

Time

1.75 [Hours]

Time-details

It took us 1 hr and 45 minutes for the out and back.

Elevation Change

1,000 Total gain/loss [Feet]

Elevation Details

about 1000 ft total gain

Hike Trail Type

Out and Back

Season

Best Season

January
February
March
April
May
September
October
November
December

Date Hike completed

December 31, 1969

Solitudue

Solitude

Medium

Solitude Details

Average. Expect to meet 10-20 other hikers.

Difficulty

Difficulty Rating

Moderate

difficulty detail

The out and back to the graves is a moderately difficult hike.

Permits

Be Aware of

small fee to enter the park ($6 as of Dec 2007) and some route finding

hiking through the desert located in a new regional park south east of the Phoenix

If elevation hiking gives you joy, there is a new trail added to the San Tan regional park just for you. The trail starts at the same location of all the other trails. From the visitor center, take the signed Goldmine trail. After about 1.1 miles, the Goldmine trail ends and you reach a junction with the San Tan trail. Turn right here and start the climb up the Goldmine mountain range. This section of the trail is easy to follow, but it is steep and the rock is a bit loose. After some 500 ft of climbing, you'll reach a saddle with great views (Queen Creek on one side and the regional park on the other). Continue to follow the trail back down the other side of the mountain. Before you reach civilization again and as the trail flattens out completely, you'll see black fencing to your left protecting the graves of two prospectors.

Return the way you came.