HOLBERT TRAIL
HOLBERT TRAIL, South Mountain
Park, Phoenix
On clear evenings,
the beacons on Mount Suppoa that bleep and flinch above an array of
communication equipment are visible from many parts of the Valley. The spindly forest of red-lighted poles marks
the highest point in South Mountain Park.
The 2690-foot summit is off limits to the public but equally swell
sights can be had at nearby 2330-foot Dobbins Lookout.
You could drive
up to this Depression Era observation deck, but for those who prefer to sweat
for it, the Holbert Trail provides a moderately difficult slog and rewarding
discoveries all the way up. The hike is
as much a trek through history as it is a respectable workout. The trail winds up the north face of the
Guadalupe Mountain Range---one of the three elongated ridges that make up South
Mountain. The others are the Gila and Ma Ha Tauk ranges. The first history lesson comes within a
half-mile of the trailhead where the route cuts through a box canyon of pre-Cambrian
stone that�s older than primordial ooze.
The rocks that predate all life on
earth have survived eons of change, and their disintegrating, sun baked
surfaces have served as canvas for the etchings of ancient inhabitants
including the Hohokam people who made many of the intricate symbols visible on
boulders and cliff faces throughout the hike. While images that look like water
birds, turtles and sheep might be easy to understand, the meaning of artful
spirals, crosses and cryptic figures may never be known. Be sure to scope out the surroundings as
petroglyphs seem to pop up in the most unexpected places. As with all heritage sites, be respectful by
not touching, rubbing or (gak) altering with graffiti or adding chalk to make
them more visible. Sadly, many of the irreplaceable images have been lost or
damaged by careless visitors.
Beyond
�petroglyph alley� the trail begins a steady climb over wide switchbacks that
move between canyon-bound passages and edge-clinging escarpments. The trail ends at Telegraph Pass Road, but a
more interesting option is to skip the last 0.3-mile and instead take the spur
trail that leads to the lookout. The
native-stone-and-concrete structures as well as many of the park�s more than 50
miles of trails were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1933 and
1940. An exhibit at the South Mountain
Environmental Education Center gives insight to the program and the historic
structures located within park.
At
16,000 acres, South Mountain is one of the largest municipal parks in the
nation.
The wear and tear of generations of use by outdoor enthusiasts has
taken a toll on the park�s condition. Many of the old trails were not built to
modern sustainability standards and structures such as picnic ramadas no longer
suit contemporary needs. That�s why the park is getting a major facelift that
will include new facilities, stabilized trails, some new trails and improved
parking. The first phase is nearing completion at the Pima Canyon trailhead.
The Dobbins
Lookout provides a platform to contemplate what a treasure South Mountain is to
our community. A compass post overlooking the Valley points to local landmarks,
mountain ranges, farmlands, cities and suburbs that have grown up around the
park. Just as these surrounding elements
have morphed and bloomed over time, so South Mountain Park adapts to
accommodate.
LENGTH: 4.8 miles roundtrip
DIFFICULTY: moderate
ELEVATION: 1,350'-2,330'
FACILITIES: restrooms, water, picnic tables, covered ramadas
GETTING THERE: Holbert Trailhead, 10919 S. Central Ave.
From central Phoenix, follow Central Avenue south all the
way to the end where it flows into South Mountain Park. Just past the park
entrance gate, turn left into the Activity Complex. Drive past the Interpretive
Center and go all the way to the end of the road near the restrooms and park.
The signed trailhead is directly across the road. Trailhead gates are open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Trails remain open until 11 p.m.
INFO & MAPS:
Park, Phoenix
 |
| Dobbins Lookout |
On clear evenings,
the beacons on Mount Suppoa that bleep and flinch above an array of
communication equipment are visible from many parts of the Valley. The spindly forest of red-lighted poles marks
the highest point in South Mountain Park.
The 2690-foot summit is off limits to the public but equally swell
sights can be had at nearby 2330-foot Dobbins Lookout.
 |
| Hikers on the Holbert Trail |
 |
| Dobbins Lookout |
You could drive
up to this Depression Era observation deck, but for those who prefer to sweat
for it, the Holbert Trail provides a moderately difficult slog and rewarding
discoveries all the way up. The hike is
as much a trek through history as it is a respectable workout. The trail winds up the north face of the
Guadalupe Mountain Range---one of the three elongated ridges that make up South
Mountain. The others are the Gila and Ma Ha Tauk ranges. The first history lesson comes within a
half-mile of the trailhead where the route cuts through a box canyon of pre-Cambrian
stone that�s older than primordial ooze.
 |
| Hikers on the Holbert Trail |
The rocks that predate all life on
earth have survived eons of change, and their disintegrating, sun baked
surfaces have served as canvas for the etchings of ancient inhabitants
including the Hohokam people who made many of the intricate symbols visible on
boulders and cliff faces throughout the hike. While images that look like water
birds, turtles and sheep might be easy to understand, the meaning of artful
spirals, crosses and cryptic figures may never be known. Be sure to scope out the surroundings as
petroglyphs seem to pop up in the most unexpected places. As with all heritage sites, be respectful by
not touching, rubbing or (gak) altering with graffiti or adding chalk to make
them more visible. Sadly, many of the irreplaceable images have been lost or
damaged by careless visitors.
Beyond
�petroglyph alley� the trail begins a steady climb over wide switchbacks that
move between canyon-bound passages and edge-clinging escarpments. The trail ends at Telegraph Pass Road, but a
more interesting option is to skip the last 0.3-mile and instead take the spur
trail that leads to the lookout. The
native-stone-and-concrete structures as well as many of the park�s more than 50
miles of trails were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1933 and
1940. An exhibit at the South Mountain
Environmental Education Center gives insight to the program and the historic
structures located within park.
 |
| Downtown Phoenix seen from the Holbert Trail |
At
16,000 acres, South Mountain is one of the largest municipal parks in the
nation.
 |
| Dobbins Lookout |
The wear and tear of generations of use by outdoor enthusiasts has
taken a toll on the park�s condition. Many of the old trails were not built to
modern sustainability standards and structures such as picnic ramadas no longer
suit contemporary needs. That�s why the park is getting a major facelift that
will include new facilities, stabilized trails, some new trails and improved
parking. The first phase is nearing completion at the Pima Canyon trailhead.
 |
| Ascending the Holbert Trail |
 |
| Compass at Dobbins Lookout |
 |
| Valley views from Dobbins Lookout |
The Dobbins
Lookout provides a platform to contemplate what a treasure South Mountain is to
our community. A compass post overlooking the Valley points to local landmarks,
mountain ranges, farmlands, cities and suburbs that have grown up around the
park. Just as these surrounding elements
have morphed and bloomed over time, so South Mountain Park adapts to
accommodate.
 |
| Petroglyphs on Holbert Trail |
LENGTH: 4.8 miles roundtrip
DIFFICULTY: moderate
ELEVATION: 1,350'-2,330'
FACILITIES: restrooms, water, picnic tables, covered ramadas
GETTING THERE: Holbert Trailhead, 10919 S. Central Ave.
From central Phoenix, follow Central Avenue south all the
way to the end where it flows into South Mountain Park. Just past the park
entrance gate, turn left into the Activity Complex. Drive past the Interpretive
Center and go all the way to the end of the road near the restrooms and park.
The signed trailhead is directly across the road. Trailhead gates are open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Trails remain open until 11 p.m.
INFO & MAPS:
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