A surprisingly beautiful hike through the desert North of Phoenix! Worthy for both locals and out-of-towners!
As you park at the trailhead, you have the option to take this trail in either direction. I recommend that you travel north, which will immediately provide 0.75 miles of elevation gain. You will then reach a pass with panoramic views of the Tonto National Forest. A bench in this area provides the perfect spot to catch your breath!
As you continue North, you will start to descend as you note an old mine shaft off to the right. Approximately another 0.25 miles, you will meet up with the Overton Trail. There are some cool washes in this next stretch, just continue to follow the signs for the Go John trail which are well-marked.
About a mile further, the trail becomes somewhat eroded from the rains, but provides reliable footing. About half way through the hike, you will reach an elevation of 2,529 feet near Gunsight Pass.
The last stretch of this hike provides beautiful views of the city below. You will continue to descend as you are guided back towards the parking lot. At a pace of 2.5 mph, this hike took roughly two hours to complete.