At 2,104 feet, North Mountain, and 2,149 feet, Shaw Butte, are easily recognizable landmarks in the north valley skyline. The mountains offer a wide array of trail options for hikers of all abilities and bolsters two of the best summit climbs in Phoenix. The North Mountain Visitor Center provides hikers and nature lovers with detailed information on the trail system, Sonoran wildlife, and regional history. One of the many volunteers who run the visitor center will share stories of how at the turn of the century the area served as a campground for Phoenix Indian School’s pupils and their families. You may also hear stories of numerous, and potentially undiscovered, mining shafts and pits that harken back to the long history of copper mining in our state.
