Getting to Know AZ

A great way to get to know a new area is to experience it through nature. Arizona’s desert landscape provides hundreds of opportunities to explore through hikes and trails. An easy local hike up “A” Mountain, also known as the Leonard Monti trail, provides scenic views of the city of Tempe below.

The trail is commonly referred to as “A” Mountain due to the 60 ft. “A” that lay at the summit. The mountain was nick-named by Arizona State University students who claim it as their school territory. The “guarding of the ‘A’” is a school tradition where Arizona State students camp out atop the mountain to ensure University of Arizona Students don’t deface the “A” with their school colors.

The trail was named after Leonard Monti, the owner of Monti’s La Casa Vieja steakhouse in Tempe. Monti was a longtime resident of Tempe and volunteer advocate.

Hiking the Leonard Monti trail in through the Hayden Butte preserve has been a longstanding tradition with Arizona State University students. The trailhead is off of 5^th street and College in Tempe, near the ICA Athletic building at ASU. The hike is fairly easy and suited well for beginners. The climb takes roughly 15-25 minutes each way and does include stairs.

At the top of the trail there are clear views below of downtown Tempe and the surrounding area.