January 6, 2022 Fat Man's Pass (Hidden Valley) and Natural Cave via Dobbin's Lookout and Buena Vista - West approach; Casa Grande Mountain from West Trailhead

 

A group picture of all the hikers at Dobbins Lookout

Dobbins Lookout hike - Led by John 8.2 miles. 

Buena Vista - Led by Nancy  - 4.9 miles. 

Dobbins Lookout and Buena Vista provide access to Hidden Valley, which is a fun and picturesque landscape of boulders and flat rocks piled on top of each other. There were rocks to hike over as we wind our way down into the valley. Once we were in the valley we made it through tight spaces, Fat Man's Pass. We crawled under large rocks and slid down slippery ones, with the help of fellow hikers. This all lead to a tunnel we hiked through. Lunch was on flat rocks near the tunnel just before heading back in a loop past the Hidden Valley sign and up toward Buena Vista. The long hikers went past Buena Vista and up toward Dobbins Lookout. 

The recent rain made the grass and other vegetation grow in the sand. Barrel, saguaro cactus, Palo Verde, brittlebush, creosote, and some bushes with yellow flowers are abundant along the trail. 

Mountain bikers loved the challenge of the rocks and hills on the trail to Hidden Valley. 

 Map of South Mountain area

Barb's pictures

Long Hike - from Dobbins Lookout - Led by John 

Casa Grande Mountain Hike - From the West Approach - Denis was leader

                                            

South Mountain Park/Preserve - Ranger Station

10211 S Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85042

Dobbins Lookout 
Buena Vista 

Summary - For the most part, this is an easy hike with great views of the Phoenix area. The return trip is more uphill and steeper in parts, but they are not too steep or very long. There are some interesting rock formations along the trail in addition to the tunnels and passes you must navigate. 

At times there are First Nations indigenous ladies selling jewelry and trinkets on blankets in the parking lot. Great views of the City of Phoenix. 

Directions, distance and time to the trailhead - We will meet and set up in front of the ballroom entrance at 7:30 am. New members come early to sign waivers, pay dues and get on headcount lists. We then take I-10 north to exit 155 and go left on Baseline Road. Go to Central Avenue and turn left and follow to gate at the entrance to the park. There are washrooms just past the gate on the right - about 300 yards. Proceed on the paved road to Summit Road and stay on that to the end of the road. The roads are well-marked. The road is narrow and twisting. It is five miles to the end at the trailhead at the summit. It took one hour and twenty minutes to get to this point and is 51 miles from the park. Long group to start at Dobbins Lookout. Medium Group to start at Buena Vista Parking lot.

Facilities at trailhead: - Washrooms at the gatehouse or at Dobbins Lookout

Difficulty: - Easy.

Length of hike: -7 or 4 miles

Time to hike: - 2 hours and twenty minutes

Trail condition: - Rock and sand with very little loose rock.

Hike type: - Out and back.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW  to check Nancy's blogspot:www.palmcreekhikers4.blogspot.com for hiking information and pictures from previous hikes! 

Hope you can make it Friday!