Maricopa Peak

"Started on W Estrella Drive outside house number 4110. Hiked SE to the San Juan Lookout and proceeded on the Alta Trail to the Trail Post at 2460ft. Left the Alta trail as it descends from a post at 2460ft on to a clear trail to the summit. According to my GPS the northern-most of the summit blocks is the true summit by a few feet. In order to ascend the final north summit block you have 3 very short routes: A. Class 1 with exposure or B. Class 2 with prickly bush in the way or C. Class 3 short scramble. The south summit block is easier to achieve." — andyforster • Feb 25, 2025

"Started on W Estrella Drive outside house number 4110. Hiked SE to the San Juan Lookout and proceeded on the Alta Trail to the Trail Post at 2460ft. At 1925ft next to the trail, passed a bee's nest complete with honeycombs hanging from the roof of a rock inlay! Left the Alta trail at 2460ft on a clear trail to the summit. According to my GPS the northern-most of the summit blocks is the true summit. In order to ascend the final block you have 3 routes: A. Class 1 with exposure or B. Class 2 with prickly bush in the way or C. Class 3 short scramble. The 20-year-old Summit Register, in a green circular can, is located on the south summit block." — andyforster • Jan 30, 2024

"Bagged Maricopa and Elliot following the ridge from the East. Ridgeline hikes naturally have spectacular views and this was no exception. I originally intended just the bag Maricopa from the west but the road to the parking lot for the western trailhead was blocked off for repairs. You have to go off the main trail to bag Maricopa and the route isn’t maintained as well for that portion. I was scratched by a plant that I’m apparently allergic to and got some inflammation, so be careful!" — tylerdelia • Apr 18, 2023

"Came up from Alta past San Juan Lookout and then took the spur trail to the summit. Beautiful day, but if you miss the spur trail, you'll add a good 1/2 mile before you realize you missed it. The spur is at the saddle and there is a signpost with a phoenix park QR code on it. Thats what you are looking for. " — puddlepirate • Feb 16, 2022

"Parked at the San Juan Parking Lot and took Bajada Trail to Alta Trail. On the ridgeline just right before the trail starts to have a huge drop in elevation on the western face, there is a very faint use trail. Some loose rock but nothing too bad. I happened to be caught in some light rain, enough to make the rocks slippery but overall not difficult at all. I'd argue there were some easy class 2 scrambles right before summitting. Afterwards as it was getting late I descended and went back from where I came to my car without finishing the entirety of Alta Trail. Total distance recorded was 7.5 miles" — easotelo1 • Jan 23, 2021

"After returning from Goat Hill, I drove down the road a little, hiked the rest of the way to the trailhead, then took the trail up to the east ridge. There was basically a use trail, and I followed it to the summit." — ZachTeich • May 29, 2018