Fountain Hills best kept secret: The Lake Overlook Trail

Due to the New Year’s holiday, I was fortunate to enjoy some much needed downtime for the past two days. Coincidentally, the weather has been nothing short of amazing and beautiful so I have been taking advantage of it by spending my free time outdoors.

Sunday afternoon I enjoyed a leisurely stroll around Fountain Park with my dogs, Willie and Remi, and a friend that is in town visiting from Washington, DC.

Late Monday afternoon I wanted to take a hike but I did not feel like driving too far from home so I decided to go to my favorite local hidden gem and best kept secret in Fountain Hills, the Lake Overlook Trail. It is a 1.17 loop trail and is a 2 out of 5 in terms of difficulty.

To access the Overlook Trail you can park on the east side of Fountain Park, just off of Panorama Drive. Cross the street and head left. You will see a small green sign that marks the entrance to the trail.

After entering the trail you will start climbing up the hill. This is the steepest part of the trail. Once you get to the top of the ridge you will be at the highest point, about 200 feet above Fountain Park. The views from here are simply breathtaking and nothing short of amazing, kinda like the AZ weather lately! To the Southeast you can see the Goldfield, Usery and Superstition Mountains, to the Southwest you see Fountain Park, looking west you see most of the town of Fountain Hills and the McDowell Mountains and to the east and northeast is the Mazatzal mountain range and Four Peaks.

Continuing on the trail you will wind thru a few switchbacks and climb up another fairly steep incline before leveling off. The trail ends in the Diamante Del Lago community. Most people follow the street and go back to the parking lot at the fountain.

Personally I like a little more of a workout so I always turn around and hike back the way I came. Moving at an even and steady pace it takes me about 40 minutes to complete the 2.35 roundtrip hike.

Most days, and yesterday was no exception, I topped it off with a lap around Fountain Park to add an additional 1.15 miles to my total for the day.