Sunrise Hike Javelina Canyon Loop, South Mountain

If you are an early morning person you will be rewarded with some incredible sunrise and city views with this easy to intermediate loop. Distance total is 4 miles and its a loop which means you don't have to retrace your steps! This hike is incredibly easy to access from the main road with a parking lot and many available spaces especially if you get there early morning. The parking lot is located at 8800 S. 46th St. which is just south of Baseline Rd. on 46th St. (several streets west of 1-10 on Baseline). The parking lot is designated the Beverly Canyon Parking lot as the Javelina Canyon and Beverly Canyon trailheads are both accessible from this point. I recommend starting with the Javelina Canyon trailhead because, if you are able to time it right with the sunrise, by the time the sun rises you will make it to the highest point on the Javelina Trail where it meets with Ridgeline Trail and you will get the best views.

The Javelina Canyon trailhead is located on the western end of the parking lot and a large sign easily designates your start point. There is also a large map located on the sign which I suggest taking a picture of to help you navigate your loop! For the loop, you will follow the purple posts maked "JC" for the Javelina Canyon Trail for 1.7 miles. If you start before the sunrise to get the timing right to see sunrise from the top, you MUST bring a flashlight or a headlamp of some kind as it will be very dark. This part of the loop, however, is relatively smooth with gradual elevation gain (approx. 440 ft). It is the least difficult section of the hike so hiking in limited lighting should not pose you a problem. I suggest that you check the internet or your iPhone weather app prior to the hike for the estimated sunrise time for the morning of your hike. Please also bring sufficient water or a water pack to stay hydrated during your hike!

When you reach the top, you will see post markers for Ridgeline Trail marked with "RL." Follow these signs to continue with the loop. The Ridgeline Trail is a mile long and the most difficult part of the hike, but also the most rewarding! This section is rocky with several inclines and descents (approx. elevation gain is 80 ft). Be sure to have your camera, GoPro, etc. to capture some awesome photos from this part of the hike.

Finally, you will reach orange trail markers with "BC" on them for the Beverly Canyon Trail. This is the last part of the loop and is about 1.3 miles in length. Following this trail East will lead you back to the parking lot where you started. It is important to make sure that you are following the trail east as it also heads west but this will lead you in the opposite direction towards Desert Classic Trail. If you do not have a compass, but you have an iPhone, you iPhone has a compass feature that will help you make sure you are heading the right direction! This last part of the hike is a gradual decline, somewhat more rocky and difficult than the Javelina Trail at the beginning of the loop. Just before you make it to the parking lot you will see some apartments on your right hand side and you might even run into an adorable yellow lab puppy with blue eyes...or maybe I just got lucky!

I hope this helps you to enjoy this hike as much as I did!

Items to Bring

• Water (bottle or hydration pack)
• Hiking boots/trail shoes
• Camera, Picture Phone, GoPro, etc.
• A head lamp or flashlight
• Sunscreen (if you start this hike after sunrise has occurred)
• Light jacket (may be chilly in the morning depending on what time of the year you chose to do this hike!)
• Sunglasses