Directions: East on Shea To Fountain Hills, left onto palasades. At stop
sign at the high school take left onto Golden Eagle blvd. Right near top of hill onto
Richwood. After bottom of hill left onto Dixie Mine Road. At end take left onto grassland
and go to end (cul-de-sac). Park on CDS or drive down dirt road to gate.
Trail Information: Trail starts off flat, and ends at the top of Thompson
Peak Mountain (4000 ft). First mile or two are flat, then progresses steadly upward. Lots
of loose rocks and up/down hills. Also pass by the dixie mine. Last mile is very, very
steep requiring special running techniques for going up steep hills. Road is tar on the
steep parts. Total run is 10.5 miles, and you will be tired when finished. Only the hardy
do the entire run with no resting at top. Fantastic views and optional trails to top (I've
never run the trails yet...they are even steeper) Also, I've never seen anyone else
running the peak.
Miscellaneous Information: Off limits for beginners. I've run the peak 10
times, but only after running Shaw Butte (another mountain) over 800 times over the last 7
years first.
Russ Marano