Lookout Mountain

Lookout Mountain is a mountain in North Central Phoenix.  Hikers should start in Lookout Mountain Park located on the Southeast side of the Mountain.  The park is open from 5am until 10am and there are restrooms and water located at the trailhead.  There is minimal shade on the trail so hikers should make sure they have enough water to complete the 2.9mi trail. 

Hikers will start out on Trail #308 and head to the Northwest.  The trail is wide and it's at a slight uphill.  From this vantage point hikers will have an exposed view of the mountain.  The connector trail will run into the circumference trail and hikers will take a right and head towards the north.  At this point the elevation will remain minimal but there are some rolling hills as hikers work their way to the north side of the mountain. 

Hikers will see a sign for a trailhead and if they take a right would lead them to the north parking lot.  However just past the sign hikers will take a left off the circumference trail and begin their ascent towards the summit for the next quarter of a mile hikers will pass a series of steep switchbacks towards the saddle.  Once hikers reach the saddle they will turn right and make the final push to the summit. 

The trail can be difficult to follow and it turns into a bit of a scramble and hikers should be cautious of their surroundings as they continue on their way to the Summit.  Once hikers reach the summit they will have views of the surrounding Phoenix Mountains and the Four Peaks Wilderness in the distance.  This hike is a wonderful place to watch the sunrise.  When hikers have finished enjoying their view they can return the way they came.