Photos by Mare Czinar

From its starting point at the edge of a residential subdivision to the Depression-era lookout tower at its terminus, the Telegraph Pass trail satisfies the needs of stroller brigades, tri-athletes in training, and everyone in between. The route is paved and flat in the first half-mile, making for an easy stroll among saguaro-and-ironwood-cluttered Sonoran desert foothills. The trail becomes more rugged and gradually ascends into a steep climb. A gallery of 600-year-old Hohokam petroglyphs tapped into craggy cliffs makes a convenient place to take a breather before huffing and puffing your way up the switchbacks ahead. The official route ends at the 1.5-mile point where the trail meets Summit Road. For a longer hike, head left from Summit Road and continue uphill for another quarter-mile to Telegraph Pass Lookout, where a stone pavilion frames far-reaching views of the Phoenix-metro area.


INFO
Length: 3 miles round-trip
Rating: moderate
Elevation: 1,480 – 1,990 feet
Getting there: From Phoenix, go south on Interstate 10 to the Chandler Boulevard exit, turn west (right) and drive 5 miles to Desert Foothills Parkway. Turn right and go 2.8 miles to the trailhead parking lot.
Info: phoenix.gov/PARKS/hiksogud.html