South Mountain Park

Welcome, esteemed traveler, to South Mountain Park and Preserve. I am delighted to be your guide as we explore one of the most remarkable urban natural spaces in the United States. …

As we proceed into the lower elevations of the preserve, we arrive at a site that provides a fascinating glimpse into the more recent human history of South Mountain. Before you stand the rustic, weathered stone ruins known…

Leaving the historical ruins behind, let us turn our analytical focus to the natural environment that defines South Mountain Park. We are walking through one of the most rigorously protected tracts of the Sonoran Desert. …

We have spoken of the harsh, arid nature of the upper slopes, but South Mountain Park contains ecological diversity that may surprise you. As we survey the vast network of trails that crisscross the preserve, it is important to…

Our journey now takes us upward, away from the valley floor and into the rugged upper elevations of South Mountain. The drive to the summit is an experience unto itself. …

Continuing our ascent, we approach a feature that radically alters the natural skyline of South Mountain. Dominating the highest ridges before you is a complex array of massive steel structures. …

We have finally reached the climax of our journey: Dobbins Lookout. Sitting at an impressive elevation of two thousand, three hundred and thirty feet, this is the absolute highest point in South Mountain Park that is accessible…

As our thorough exploration of South Mountain Park and Preserve draws to a close, I invite you to linger a while longer at the summit. If you have the luxury of time, remain here as the late afternoon sun begins its inevitable…