5.9 Miles

181 feet

Easy

A+++ Views

136th St Express Trail Hike Overview

We recently hiked the 136th St Express/Cow Poke Loop and gave this hike 100% on the “likelihood to revisit” scale. One week later we were back! This area is great because of the views are spectacular, all the cool saguaros, and how easy it is. It’s a solid choice when you want to get outside but not hike anything crazy or when it’s ridiculously hot out. 

Map & Elevation Profile

Total distance: 5.88 mi
Max elevation: 2702 ft
Min elevation: 2521 ft
Total time: 01:45:50

Map for the 136th St Express Trail Hike

You won’t regret having this map. The signage here is good but there are a lot of trails. What if you want to extend your hike? With a this map you can make a plan!

mcdowell mountains green trails map get outdoors get happy

McDowell Mountains Greentrails map

You definitely won’t regret having this map for your McDowell Sonoran Preserve hikes (affiliate link)!

Parking

You will want to park at the Granite Mountain trailhead lot. It’s a giant free lot!

136th St Express Trail Hike Notes

I wasn’t completely honest in the overview above why we decided to come back here only a week later. Here’s my true motivation: I posted the photos of the crested saguaro (check them out here) in the Crested Saguaro Facebook group and someone commented with a photo of another crested saguaro in the area. It has a HUGE crest and that was enough for me to drag the BF back up here. 

We didn’t find it but that’s part of the fun and gives us another reason to go back 😊.

This hike is all about expansive mountain views. So if that’s your thing (like me!), then get up here and check it out. It’s easy, relaxing and will make your brain feel good! 

So, is the 136th St Express Trail Hike worth it?

Even though it isn’t a big hike up a mountain with a clear ending, it is super nice out here! It’s quiet and very scenic. You’ll likely feel great after walking around this area. 

Other hikes close by

You can create a loop if you prefer those. We did this with the Cow Poke trail. You could go towards Tom’s Thumb area and hike that area: N 128th street. There is also the Whiskey Bottle Trail hike at the Fraesfield Trailhead. Brown’s Mountain trailhead is busier but also pretty great. There are a zillion options from the Brown’s Mountain Trailhead.

Get more inspired to get outside:

PCT Trail Journal: Day 21 Bird Spring Pass to Kelso Road

15.652822 feet up3287 feet down Kelso Road188.56 hours 3 minutes🌟Hiking through 5+ miles of Joshua Tree forest👉The down is really hurting my left knee.May 2, 2023  PCT Trail Journal: Day 21 Bird Spring Pass to Kelso Road The wind was howling all night. I'm glad I had...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 20 Walker Pass to Bird Spring Pass

21.114163 feet up3845 feet down Bird Spring Pass173.67 Hours 48 minutes🌟Wildflowers + Joshua Trees👉Need to be more careful with my gear so I don't destroy it all. May 1, 2023  PCT Trail Journal: Day 20 Walker Pass to Bird Spring Pass I slept ok. I woke up a lot but...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 19 Walker Pass to Walker Pass Campground

0.8836 feet up 259 feet down Walker Pass Campground152.60.3🌟Seeing my love👉Don't panic, everything will be fine. April 30, 2023  PCT Trail Journal: Day 19 Walker Pass to Walker Pass Campground Day 19 started out with a great morning with my significant other. We...

PCT Trail Journal: Days 15 – 18 Rest Days in Idyllwild & Palm Springs

00Idyllwild Airbnb & Hotel in Palm Springs151.80🌟Face mask, lotion, and a hot bath 🌟Nice comfy soft beds 👉It's ok to not hike hard on the trail all the time. 👉Planning a flip is hard and the weather should definitely be considered. 👉Being a thru-hiker means doing...

PCT Trail Summary: Week 2 Miles 68.4 to 131.6

PCT Trail Summary: Week 2 Miles 68.4 to 131.6 Dates Hiked April 17 - April 23, 202365.19,327 up8,338 down21 Hours 18 Minutes💖Seeing Kari from my hometown! 💖Resting at Stagecoach - the folks were so friendly 💖Hanging in Julian with Hannah, Jorrit and Liam 💖Hiking with...

PCT Trail Summary: Week 1 Campo to Mile 68.4

PCT Trail Summary: Week 1 Campo to Mile 68.4 Dates Hiked April 12 - April 16, 202368.411,037 up10,161 down26.9 HoursHiking with Happy6 & 20D The wildflowers 🌸 My positive mindsetOther hikers & flowers!I would listen to my body more and not suffer through so...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 14 Mile 146.1 to Paradise Valley Cafe (Mile 151.8)

6.21909 up873 downIdyllwild Airbnb151.82 Hours 4 MinutesIdyllwild and town food!I start out with big hunger and then can't eat everythingApril 25th, 2023PCT Trail Journal: Day 14 Mile 146.1 to Paradise Valley Cafe (Mile 151.8) Hiked on April 25th, 2023 On day 14 of...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 13 Miles 131.6 to 146.1

15.612405 up2336 downMile 146.1146.16 Hours 11 MinutesThe wildflowers 🌼🌼🌼Need larger battery pack ASAP!PCT Trail Journal: Day 13 Miles 131.6 to 146.1 Miles 131.6 to 146.1 on the PCT were good and hot filled with more wildflowers than you could imagine. There was a lot...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 12 Miles 115.4 to 131.6

16.033291 up1906 downMile 131.6131.65 Hours 50 MinutesListening to my book while hikingI am quite dirty. So dirty that bandaids and tape won't stick to my skin. PCT Trail Journal: Day 12 Miles 115.4 to 131.6 Miles 115.4 to 131.6 were both hard and gave me a sense of...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 11 Miles 104.8 to 115.4

13.531519 up1513 downMile 115.4115.44 Hours 56 MinutesWalking through field after field of wildflowers I don't need 10 bars per day and should focus on the base meals in resupply boxesPCT Trail Journal: Day 11 Miles 104.8 to 115.4 Miles 104.8 to 115.4 on the PCT were...