Deem Hills is a hidden gem in the west valley. Located near the more popular Thunderbird Park, Deem Hills boasts soccer fields, a playground, and 1000 acres of open space. Filled with saguaros, buffelgrass, basalt, and granite, Deem Hills showcases the desert vegetation while providing you greater expanses of solitary hiking than Thunderbird. So if you drive past Thunderbird Park one day and see the parking lot filled to the brim, it might just be the day to go check out Deem Hills just a few miles north of Pinnacle Peak Road.
| Trail Route | From West parking lot at 51st Ave and Deem Hills Parkway take the trail on the south end of the parking lot and follow it for a few tenths of a mile where it cuts left to join the Circumference Trail (DH). After 2/3 of a mile you will be heading up the mountain into a saddle area where you can continue the circumference trail or hook up with Basalt B)or Ridgeline (R). We took the left to join Ridgeline. Ridgeline winds along the top and then back into itself for awhile, totaling 1.45 miles before joining back with DH. Take a left to take DH back to the parking lot.  See official trail map here |
| Mileage | Approximately 4 miles. Took my dog and I less than 2 hours on a 60-degree day in December. |
| Elevation Gain | Approximately 525 feet |
| Top Elevation | Approximately 2025 feet |
| Experience Needed | General hiking experience. Trail is well-marked. |
| Difficulty | The Circumference trail is rated as Moderate. The Ridgeline Trail is rated as Moderately Difficult. |
| Parking | Ample parking on the West side where this loop hike started and ended. The parking lot is open 5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. |
| Pets | Pets are allowed on leash. Sadie enjoyed this hike but would like to stop more often to sniff rocks and bushes. She stepped on one cactus sticker, so be aware when your dog protests moving, their paws may need attention. We did not see any other dogs on our hike. Be sure to bring water for your pooch as some of the uphill climbs will get their hearts pumping too. We saw horse poop piles on the Ridgeline Trail that looked fairly recent. Luckily, Sadie did not try to roll in it. |
| People Meter | We passed about 4 people in the first mile. Saw one person on the Ridgeline Trail. And a handful more as we rounded the bend on the last mile. |
| Safety | Trails are well maintained but rocks are omnipresent. Be sure to have appropriate footwear, I wear trailrunners but you may want hiking boots to help protect your ankles. Sunscreen, hat, cell phone, and enough water are strongly recommended. |
My experience
Today was my second time to Deem Hills and it's been a year since the first time so my hike today was well overdue. It's a cloudy and chilly day in the 60s -- a perfect Tuesday hiking day! My dog and I set out on our hike at 10:20 a.m. and finished about 1 hour and 20 minutes later.The first mile provides a steady uphill climb until reaching the left-hand turn to start the traverse along Ridgeline trail. The views were great although it was a fairly smoggy view today.
Since Christmas is coming, it wouldn't be complete without coming across a desert tree decorated for the holiday. There was a person nearby enjoying the views so Sadie wouldn't pose for her Christmas photo. Darned distracted dog!
On the way down the grade is a steady decline and the trail is nicely manicured so we actually jogged parts of the way back to the car.
All in all, this was a great alternative to the crowded Thunderbird Park that sits nearby.
