The City of Peoria, AZ website indicates there is a Beginner trail and two varying levels of Intermediate trails at East Mountain. The Beginner trail takes you up a short hill to a bench where you have a nice view of the Park where you most likely parked your vehicle. The Intermediate trails take you back behind the neighborhood for a very nice jaunt through the desert hills. For more information on all the hikes check out the City's website at: http://www.peoriaaz.gov/content2.aspx?ID=967 Mileage: Beginner -- 0.4 miles loop, Intermediate -- 1.8 mile loop.
Elevation gain: Beginner: 71' gain. Intermediate: 457' gain.
Experience Needed: These hikes are good starter hikes. Excellent for folks who live in the area and are looking for a new places to explore without the perils of being too far from home.
Difficulty: Easy to Easy-Moderate.
Parking: The trail head for East Wing Mountain is at Sonoran Mountain Ranch Park at 7098 W. Miner Trail, Peoria, AZ 85383, which is basically far north on 67th Ave. The park has picnic tables, a playground and restrooms.
View of Parking Lot at Sonoran Mtn Ranch Park from top of Beginner Trail (below)
View from top of Intermediate Trail (below)
Pets: I did not see any animals on my hike but the website says they are allowed as long as they are on a 6 foot or less leash, and you are vigilent about picking up the puppy poo.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Safety: For my first adventure into this trail system in February 2010, safety seemed pretty standard. No major concerns, I could see the parking lot where my car was parked for most of the hike and it's very close to a new housing development. So take the standard precautions -- headlamp, water, cell phone, sunscreen, good shoes, etc.
People Meter: The trail seems fairly new so it may not have high awareness yet I ran in two young teenagers only on my hike.
My experiences: All photos via mobile in February 2010 on a rainy Sunday afternoon. I thoroughly enjoyed this hike because really as soon as you get up to the top a whole world expands with 360 degree views, if you squint hard you can even see downtown Phoenix. It was a fairly leisurely hike, great if you don't have much time or just need to get some air. The back side of the mountain shown below is all undeveloped land. I believe the city may be creating more trails on that side of the hills. Makes you realize how lucky we are to still have patches of wilderness in the middle of the city that we can get away and explore.
Photos:
The rain drew out all the greens on the desert floor. This photo (below) was taken from early in the hike. The Intermediate trail goes up to the point in the center.
The first part of the trail is a nice wide social trail, easy for hikers to pass on either side. (below)
View of the Intermediate Trail on way back down the loop to the parking lot. Here you can see the trail narrows and is a bit rockier than on the earlier sections of trail (below)
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