Hiking White Tank Mountains
The White Tank Mountains, not to be confused with the White Mountains near the New Mexico border, are located in the west valley just outside of Phoenix. They are usually referred to as the "White Tanks." This is a cool area to hike in because the park was once home to the Hohokam Indians and there are a number of petroglyphs scattered throughout the park. Where can you see the Petroglyphs? The highest concentration of petroglyphs is along the Waterfall Canyon Trail and near the entrance to the box canyon that gives the trail its name.
The White Tanks is a great park to hike in for both those with little kids and avid hikers. With 25 miles of trails and difficulty from easy to strenuous, there is a hike for everyone here. With an elevation of 4,000 feet at it's highest peak, the White Tanks has numerous ridges and canyons. Heavy rainfalls cause flash floodwaters to scoure out a series of depressions in the white granite rock in the mountains and thus the name "White Tanks" One of the most popular trails is the Waterfall Trail. It is a short trail that rewards you with a small waterfall (after a desert rain).
The White Tanks are located on the far west side of the valley outside of Surprise and Buckeye.
Trails within the park include:
Bajada 0.9 mi In addition to walking or biking you can also go horseback riding in the White Tanks. Fee: $6.00 per vehicle entry fee is required. Directions: 13025 N. White Tank Mountain Road, 4 miles W on Olive St from Hwy 303 Hours: Sun-Thu: 6am-8pm, Fri-Sat: 6am-10pm
If you are in this area, you may be interested in the Wildlife Zoo |