Everything To Know About The Pinnacle Peak Hiking Trail In Scottsdale AZ
Looking To Add In Some Hiking On Your Scottsdale, AZ Trip, But Need A Little More Info On The Pinnacle Peak Trail?
I grew up in Scottsdale, AZ and lived in the area for a combined total of about 13 years, but growing up I didn’t find the deserty landscape very interesting and outside of a few instances I didn’t love hiking here, but as I got older and returned to visit, I started to love the hiking options around town and have done a new hike every time I return, including the Pinnacle Peak trail.
🏜️ The Pinnacle Peak Hiking Trail In Scottsdale, AZ
Although there are plenty of great outdoor activities in Scottsdale, AZ, and a ton of great hiking trails to choose from (Camelback Mountain being the most popular), the Pinnacle Peak hiking trail is a great option and I really enjoyed it.
Since hiking in Arizona can be tough and dangerous at times (particularly in the summer), here are all the details I think are helpful to know before heading out on this trail:
Who Can Do The Hike
The Pinnacle Peak hiking trail is rated as a moderately difficult hike, and in comparison to some other hikes around town (like Camelback Mountain), I’d say it’s fairly easy to do.
A good level of fitness is still recommended because there is an overall elevation gain of about 1,000 feet, but it’s not overly strenuous so most should be ok with this trail.
Pinnacle Peak can be a good option for families to do together, but there are still a few drop offs so definitely keep your kids close and be sure to teach them proper trail etiquette to keep everyone safe (last time I was out here a few kids were running around like crazy on the trail, which seemed very dangerous to me).
What To Wear
It depends on the time of year to determine what is best to wear on this trail or any trail in Arizona.
🌸❄️ During the winter and spring seasons you could wear long pants and long sleeves if it’s cool enough out and that way you’ll also be protected from the sun
🍁☀️ During the summer and fall seasons, wear light colors to help with the heat of the sun, bring a hat, and have enough non-toxic sunscreen
No matter what time of year it is, always be sure to wear closed toed shoes with good traction because the Arizona gravel can be slippery and there is lots of dangerous wildlife out here so you want to be covered.
What To Bring
If you bring nothing else on a hike in Arizona, make sure you bring a large enough supply of water (more than you think you’d need).
You don’t want to get dehydrated or have heat exhaustion hit you while you’re out here hiking and rescues are quite common in Arizona during the summer because many do show up unprepared.
I also suggest bringing a backpack of some sort to carry your water and some snacks in case of emergency.
What’s The Best Way To Get Here
Pinnacle Peak is easy to reach on your own if you have a car or plan to rent one, but it’s also pretty easy to get a ride-share to if you’re staying in Phoenix or especially if you’re staying in Scottsdale since its so close.
Is There Plenty Of Parking
Similar to a lot of popular hikes in the Scottsdale area (especially Camelback Mountain), if you plan to hike the Pinnacle Peak trail particularly in the winter, you must arrive early in order to get a parking spot.
There is a parking lot at the start of the trail (along with some bathrooms and other info), but it will fill up fast especially in the more pleasant weather months of the year.
What Time Should You Start
Whether you hike in the “summer” months (April to October) or the “winter” months (November to March), you should start most hiking trails in Arizona early in the morning for heat reasons or for crowd/parking reasons.
☀️🍁 In the summer and fall months, it’s very important to start at or before the sun rises because temperatures could reach 120° at times and heat related deaths are at a high in Arizona (more than 600 in 2023), so it’s important not to take the Arizona temperatures lightly
❄️🌸 During the winter months, it’s still really important to arrive early to avoid the large crowds, which do get quite large and cause a much slower hiking journey, and to find a parking spot before the lot fills up
How Long Is The Pinnacle Peak Hiking Trail In Scottsdale, AZ
The Pinnacle Peak hiking trail in Scottsdale, AZ is a an out-and-back trail that typically takes around two to two and a half hours to complete.
There are a few viewpoints to stop at and take some photos or rest, so it just depends on how leisurely you want to make this hike.
Is There A Lot Of Wildlife
There is always a lot of wildlife in the deserts of Arizona and while out hiking (especially in the warmer months of the year), it’s highly probable that you’ll encounter something while you’re out here.
Growing up in Arizona, I’ve seen everything (coyotes, bobcats, javelinas, rattlesnakes, scorpions, Gila monsters, owls, quail, bunnies, etc.) with my own eyes except for a mountain lion, but the Pinnacle Peak hiking trail is where I saw mountain lion tracks so even they are out here.
🐍 Because they’re typically the most abundant and frightening of the Arizona animals/reptiles, a lot of people worry about rattlesnakes and wonder how you can avoid them. They are wild and they go where they want, but here are a few tips to try to steer clear of them:
- avoid hiking or walking in the late afternoon when the sun starts to set because they like to stretch out on the hot pavement, sidewalks, etc.
- don’t wear headphones while hiking because if you do get close to one, they literally rattle to warn you to back off (it sounds like a baby rattle or a maraca)
- if one is blocking the path, don’t try to squeeze past it because they could strike so it’s best to just wait
- if there is any bouldering or rock climbing you have to do on a hike, be very careful where you put your hands and don’t reach in to any cracks or crevices because snakes, or a number of other dangerous things, could be squeezed inside
🥾 Other Hiking Trail Options, Besides Pinnacle Peak, Around Scottsdale, AZ
With so much mountainous terrain, the whole state of Arizona has so many great hiking options (most famously Sedona, the Grand Canyon, or Antelope Canyon), but there are also plenty of great ones to choose from closer to the Scottsdale/Phoenix areas like:
- 🥾 Black Mountain (up in Cave Creek just north of Scottsdale)
🔁 Sum Up: Pinnacle Peak Hiking Trail In Scottsdale AZ
The Pinnacle Peak trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in Scottsdale, AZ because it’s only a moderately difficult hike, but still has an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet so you can still get some great views of the valley below, plus it’s well marked, there’s more wildlife viewing opportunities up here, it’s a mid-length hike of about 2-2.5 hours, and there are bathrooms and a nice parking lot at the start (although you do still need to arrive early to get a spot because it’s a popular hike).
