This trail provides a circuitous loop throughout the Squaw Peak Area, and as such has many possible starting points. My hike started from Dreamy Draw Avenue between Linger and Loma Lanes where there is a pole gate on the eastern side of the road preventing vehicle access to a tunnel under US 51.

Oddly enough, the true starting point for this trail, near Glendale Avenue and 16th Street, is rarely used by hikers. Markers noting the Perl Charles Trail can be found on the eastern side of 16th Street, just beyond the canal to the north of this intersection. Starting at this point is not popular, as the "trail" snakes its way through town by heading north on 16th Street, then right on Myrtle Avenue past a monument to Perl Charles, down to a drainage canal, through a tunnel under US 51, and then takes a left to parallel US 51 into the preserve. This stretch of trail is about 2 miles long and truly is lacking for a good hiking experience, or a decent place to park. However, once in the Preserve, the rest of the trail provides good desert hiking and a bit of solitude as well as a surprise or two along the way.

The starting point I used also utilizes a tunnel under US 51 to access the trail. Once through the tunnel, and heading south to take the trail in a counterclockwise direction, I found it necessary to keep my eye open for Trail 1A trail markers. These triangular trail signs are on metal poles throughout the trail to help guide the way. I also made special note of the Northern Avenue exit sign on US 51, so I could use that as a landmark for the return trip through the tunnel which is well hidden once in the Preserve.

Within a couple of minutes of leaving the tunnel I happened across another monument to Perl Charles identical to the one that can be found just to the east of Myrtle Avenue and 16th Street. Unfortuately I have little knowledge of Perl Charles and his work with the Preserves. If there is someone out there who can fill me in, I'd love to hear of this man.

Continuing past the monument, the trail switchbacks to climb a small ridge. Within 15 minutes of beginning this hike, I found myself at the top of a ridge where I found a memorial bench. Several of these benches can be found throughout Squaw Peak Preserve, each providing a comfortable rest stop and excellent view. Feeling too fresh to stop I instead descended into the valley below with Squaw Peak looming to the southeast.

The trail makes its way to the bottom of the valley, then ascends the bottom of Squaw Peak to join the Circumference Trail (Trail 302). From here there is a good view of Phoenix to the south. The Perl Charles Trail turns left once reaching the Circumference Trail junction. Traversing on a moderate grade around the north side of Squaw Peak, the trail reaches a welcome rest stop (as I had been hiking for about an hour) with two stone benches waiting.

As I sat to take a few chugs of water, a man and three children came from the opposite direction finishing their brief climb to this point. None of these people were carrying water. Noting the flush faces and panting of the kids, I chose to have them drink the better part of one of my liter bottles. It never fails to amaze me that people will put themselves AND THEIR CHILDREN at risk hiking with no water.

Continuing on, the trail descended to a junction (with another rock bench) where Trail 302 and Trail 1A parted ways. Following Trail 1A to the left, from the junction, I descended a bit further and then began to follow the trail as it wrapped around a small mountain and headed west. The view from the point the trail turned to head west was an excellent one as I was able to look through a valley to see a snow-covered Four Peaks to the east.

The trail drops very gradually to meet the Charles M. Christiansen Trail (Trail 100) about 3.5 miles into the hike. After just 3 minutes of sharing with Trail 100, Trail 1A takes a left and climbs rather steeply, for less than 10 minutes of hiking. Just past where this stretch of trail peaks, there are two mine shafts. The first was very dark, not very tall, and seemed to go back quite a ways. The other was tall enough for me to feel comfortable in, but only went back about 30 feet. Not wanting to find a snake with a nasty disposition inside, I chose to leave the spelunking for another day.

After leaving the mines, the noise of the traffic on US 51 interrupted the quiet of the last hour and a half of hiking. Descending a bit, the trail traverses to head south again, past an outdoor arena that could be used for cookouts. Within 5 minutes of the arena, I noted the Northern Avenue exit sign and found myself back in the tunnel that had started the hike.

Getting There: From US 51 (Squaw Peak Parkway), exit on Glendale Avenue. Head west until 16th Street, then turn right (north). Turn right (east) on Myrtle Avenue. You can park at the end of Myrtle Avenue and then hike through the tunnel under US 51or utilize the trailhead I used by turning left (north) on Dreamy Draw Avenue. Look for Linger Lane which will be on your left hand side. By Linger Lane there is a pole gate on the right (eastern) side of Dreamy Draw Avenue. Parking is on the street. Hike past the gate and through the tunnel to access the trail.

Tips: No Fee. No water or toilet facilities available. There is plenty of up and down hiking, but none of which is very hard. Access to the loop is adjacent to people's homes. Be mindful of the noise you add to these accesses if you are with a group.

Stats: This is a 5 mile hike from the Linger Lane access. The actual loop portion of this hike is 4.8 miles long. If you are a purist and wish to begin this hike at 16th Street and the Canal, it is 1.25 miles from there to the loop portion of the hike. From the end of Myrtle Avenue, it is about 0.5 miles to the loop. Another good starting point to access the loop is from the end of 22nd Street - north of Glendale Avenue. Distance to the loop from the end of 22nd Street is negligible. Parking there is also on the street.