Perl Charles Memorial Trail
State: Arizona
Location: Phoenix
Length, Round Trip: 4.8 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Heavy
Apache Trail, Canyon Lake
Trail Information
The Perl Charles Memorial Trail is a major artery in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve Trail system, this desert trail accommodates hikers, bikers, runners and equestrians all within the Phoenix city limits. Terrain ranges from level to very difficult. The Perl Charles Trailhead is located on the east side of 16th Street at the Arizona Canal and is a spur off of the Maricopa County Sun Circle Trail (no parking available).
The trail follows 16th Street north of Myrtle Avenue, then east along Myrtle and through a tunnel at 19th Street. The trail then follows the wash east to 20th street and north along 20th Street to the Perl Charles Dedication Plaque. Alternate access to the trail at this point is through the horse tunnel at 19th Street and Pleasant Drive just south of Northern Avenue (limited parking available).
Follow the trail signs past the cookout area and east from that point. This loop trail begins to climb one of several saddles into a quiet valley. Then, the trail drops steeply into the largest valley in the preserve system, follows it and then loops back.
Directions
There are several starting points, depending on how long you want to hike. One trailhead is at Dreamy Draw Park. Head east on Northern Avenue, where the road dead ends at the park.
