The Ruth Hamilton Trail (Trail #8B) is a short but rewarding hike in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, in the popular Piestewa Peak and Dreamy Draw area right in the heart of the city. Named for one of the advocates who helped make the preserve possible, it's a local favorite for a quick desert workout with an outsized payoff in views.

From its trailhead the path climbs by way of rocky switchbacks to a saddle, where it meets the Quartz Ridge Trail at a well-placed observation bench — a fine spot to catch your breath and take in the sweeping panorama of the downtown Phoenix skyline and the northern Sonoran mountains. From there it rolls over another ridge and descends toward the Nature Trail on the east side of Piestewa Peak.

Though short, it's moderately rocky and gets busy, and savvy locals link it with neighboring trails (200, 202, 8A, and the 304 Nature Trail) to piece together longer loops through the preserve.

This is exposed Sonoran Desert with little shade, so summer hikers should go at dawn or dusk and carry plenty of water. Watch for other hikers and cyclists, wear real trail shoes for the rocky tread, and enjoy one of the city's handiest escapes into the hills.

National Trail is the gem of South Mountain and home to the infamous Waterfall. It’s a local favorite as well as a destination trail for MTB snowbirds. Courtesy of mtbikeaz.com

Like most trails in the Sonoran Desert, you'll find bursage, brittlebush, creosote cush, palo verde trees and saguaro cactus. More than 300 species of plant life are found in the park. The park is also abundant with wildlife - rock squirrels, desert tortoises, chuckwallas, great horned owls, rattlesnakes, coyotes and red tailed hawks to name a few. There are petroglyphs hidden throughout the range, courtesy of the Hohokam Indians. Courtesy of hikearizona.com

National then takes you over Telegraph pass and up to the Buena Vista Lookout. From the Buena Vista lookout to the end of National at the east end, it gets more technical with bigger technical features and rock moves. Some of the areas Downhillers will shuttle up to Buena Vista Lookout and ride this section of National. It is an enjoyable section of trail as long as you know your limits and walk features above your current ability levelCourtesy of mtbproject.com

This is a classic, short Pisgah loop. It's moderately technical most of the way with a couple of trickier sections. Most people prefer to approach it counter-clockwise, but it can be ridden either way. Now it's downhill for a while... great rocky downhill roller coaster that is technical enough to command your attention. Then you'll make a sharp left at some log steps where it intersects Farlow Gap trail. The descent mellows out at some forested track that brings you back to the river. Courtesy of mtbproject.com

There are several loops that can be done but this is my favorite: Follow the gravel doubletrack until it forks, and take the right path. Wind your way up and up, past two waterfalls, until you reach where the trail intersects the gravel road. Go left (and down!) and follow this back to the first waterfall and then ride out. Courtesy of singletracks.com

Most of the trails in the Phoenix metropolitan area were originally built by mountain bikers, and the Hawe's loop trail system and trail are no exeptions. This trail features fantastic singletrack that twists and turns for miles. Be warned, as this trail is in the desert and features many desert hazards such as heat and dangerous desert creatures. The trail is well maintained, but there are plenty of cacti next to the trail as it twists and turns that won't play nice with your feet or legs if you ride too close.

Hawes loop is one of the less rocky trails in the area, so this is a great place for riders looking for speed and flow, or looking for an endurance ride with multiple laps, and with beautiful views of nearby Red (McDowell) mountain, Salt River, and the desert scenery it will be hard to only ride around once!

The trail is full of loose desert rocks and dirt and is mostly downhill, so prepare for a lot of loose braking. If the same loop is ridden in reverse it is a lung-busting endurance ride with lots of climbing.

There are a couple different options to get to the Hawe's loop trail:

1) Park behing the Walgreens at the intersection of N Power Rd and E Thomas Rd. From there, pedal across N Power Rd just past the canal and access road. Just before the Las Sendas sign, the Fenceline Trail turns left behind the houses. This trail is 1.1mi of beginner singletrack that can often be ridden at high speeds. There may be riders traveling the other way doing the same, so be aware of others. Once the trail intersects with Hawe's trail (a separate black diamond ride), keep left to stay on Hawe's loop. The trail will fork again after 0.3mi and the official loop continues to the right.

2) Park at the Canal lot further North on N Bush Hwy, ride 0.3mi along the road, and enter the Hawe's loop via the signs. This option cuts off the 1.1mi of the Fenceline trail both ways.

For both options, there is a shortcut about 1/3 of the way through the loop. Shortly after the Hawe's loop connects with the Upper Ridge trail, there will be a left-hand turn that will cut off a medium-sized additional loop. So take the left turn if a slightly shorter ride is desired.

The Desert Classic trail is just that, a classic at the South Mountain Park area. Because it is such a classic, the trail is well marked and well worn by high traffic flow of riders and hikers. The trail travels north or south for 9 miles depending on where the starting point is, then turns around at the end for another 9 miles, creating an out & back trail on hardpacked sand, some sandy washes, and small chunky rocks.

There are a few different ways to ride the DC trail: 1). Park at the Prima Canyon parking area, keep the mountains on your right and ride south. Shortly after leaving the parking area there is a map with the DC trail well-marked on it. Follow the signs for the DC trail and keep left as you pass the Marcos De Niza Trail. The trail ends at a junction with Telegraph Pass Trail, turning around and following itself back for 9 miles, creating the out & back. 2). Park at the Desert Foothills parking area and ride towards the mountain. Keep right as you pass the Telegraph Pass Trail, then ride for 9 miles keep the mountain on your left and following the DC trail markers. 3) Park at either of the parking areas and shuttle a car to the other parking area, making the trail only 9 miles of singletrack instead of the 17 mile out & back.

Because it is a multi-purpose trail, always be cautious of hikers and other riders.

This trail is without a doubt the easiest and least technical ride in South Mountain Park. Crossing the many small washes that run down from the mountain adds some interest and fun without much difficulty. Courtesy of mtbproject.com

Whether the trail is easy or not all depends on your fitness and skill. Yes, this trail is a piece of cake, compared to National, but it’s still fun, fast and furious and a singlespeeder’s hammerfest. Courtesy of mtbikeaz.com