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Wheelchair
Accessible Trails

One of the great things about South Mountain Park, in addition to its sheer size, is its accessibility and wonderfully varied terrain. South Mountain’s system of interconnected trails allows hikers to tailor treks to suit their fancies, as well as their fitness and ability levels.

Judith Tunell Trail                                                                     

Length:  1 mile, broken into two, ½ mile loops.

Elevation gain:  Minimal

Description and Difficulty Level:
The trailhead is located at the South Mountain Environmental Education Center at 10409 S. Central Ave. (Central Avenue, south of Dobbins Road). There are a number of disabled accessible parking spots at the center. The trail is open even when the center is closed. 

The trail consists of two interconnected sections, the Interpretive Loop and the Challenge Loop, that wander through the desert.  The Interpretive Loop generally contains more moderate grades with a maximum grade of 7.5 percent. The Challenge Loop is slightly more difficult with a maximum grade of 8.5 percent. The trail is made of stabilized granite. The Interpretive Loop includes interpretive signs, water fountains, benches, three shade ramadas and a bridge over a wash. The Challenge Loop also contains ramadas, benches and water fountains.  Signs along the trail cover petroglyphs, tips for desert hiking, chuckwallas, scorpions and other critters, the history of mining at South Mountain and the Depression-era projects of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

History: 
Staff from both the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department and South Mountain Environmental Education Center were involved throughout the design and layout of the Judith Tunell trail. The goal of the project was to create an accessible trail with different levels of challenge for all trail users. The trail layout was established by means of a field walk to help preserve the native landscape, to maintain the sites natural drainage, and to link the interpretive areas with the location of the ramadas and rest areas. The trail was specifically designed to accommodate people of all ability levels.

The Grand Opening of the “Judith Tunell Barrier-Free Trail” was celebrated on May 15, 2004, during a National Trails Day celebration. The grand opening attendees had the opportunity to thank Ms. Tunell in person while experiencing the 1-mile trail.  Ms. Tunell has served in a leadership role on the Mayor's Commission on Disability Issues since 1995.  She is responsible for helping to improve disability awareness and bring about needed changes in areas such as public transit, aviation, and communication.

At one point, Judith Tunell was running her own business and zipping along California highways in her Mercedes. But she had Lupus, and twenty years ago it cost her her sight. The day after the birth of her second son, she went blind and began to lose her hearing.  "I had a baby, and the next day I couldn't walk down the hall," she said. "It has been a long climb back."  In 1989 she moved to Phoenix, and in 1995 she was appointed to the Phoenix Mayor's Commission on Disability Issues, for which she was an active chairwoman from 1997 to 1999.  She is now honored by having a hiking trail named for her, the Judith Tunell Accessible Trail, in South Mountain Park/Preserve.  

(Paragraph excerpt reprinted courtesy of Arizona Business Gazette, May 13, 2004, by Luci Scott).
                                               
  

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Trail sign in Braille

Judith Tunell trail with wildflowers in bloom