December 1, 2017 - Pass Mountain Trail - Usery Mountain Regional Park

By the time 8:00 AM rolled around there was thirteen of us gathered in the North Parking Lot. We divided into three vehicles and headed out on I-10 northbound. After working our way through Phoenix we arrived at the Wind Cave Trailhead in Usery Park.

After the requisite group shot we broke into three groups; Skip, Connie and company heading out on the Wind Cave trail, Mike and Sharon hitting the Pass Mountain trail counter-clockwise, and the rest faithfully following me clockwise on the Pass Mountain trail.

Pass Mountain Trail Pictures

We arrived at the lookout on the northwest corner of Pass Mountain just in time to see the 10:00 fountain at Fountain Hills Shopping Center.

Continuing we eventually met Mike and Sharon on their circuit. After a brief rest and picture stop, we carried on our way, arriving at the saddle and lunch stop around 11:00.

Thirty minutes later found us working our way down from the saddle and on the homeward stretch. This section seems to be the longest of all, you're sure the parking lot is just over the next rise, NOT!. There was even some unrest brewing at the back of the line on whether I had missed the turn and was starting out on the second circuit!

We eventually arrived back at the vehicles about 5 minutes before the other two groups. Mike and Sharon had arrived earlier and had headed up the Wind Cave trail to meet Skip’s bunch.

The mandatory Dairy Queen stop on the way back to Palm Creek arriving well before Happy Hour!

Wind Cave Trail

Wind Cave Trail is a shorter hike at about 3.1 miles, and it starts winding upward just after going through a pretty wash area. The trail becomes steeper near the top. There are large boulders along the way; many of which are part of the trail. Great views amongst the rock and cactus. There is a flag at the top of the trail and even a little farther, a cave. 

Pass Mountain Trail is the Red. Wind Cave Trail is the black trail in the middle. 


Directions to Usery Mountain Regional Park
From I-10 and Florence Blvd. continue northwest on I-10. Exit right onto the Loop 202. Continue on 202 as it turns north. Go past the Hwy 60 exits, then take Exit 28, Broadway eastbound (right). Immediately move to the left lane and turn left on Ellsworth Rd. Ellsworth will become Usery Pass Rd. In about 6 miles turn right into Usery Mt. Rec. Area. $8? fee required. Stay left on Usery Park road, entering Wind Cave Drive. Go north, then past the restroom area and park in the south parking lot. Coordinates: 33º28’25.91”N W111º36’26.04”W. Home approx. 3:30 - 4:00pm

November 17, 2017 - Sendero Esperanza Trail to Hugh Norris trail to Wasson Peak

  


It was beneficial to have an early start of 8:00 from the parking lot because there was construction at the Maricopa exit. After a detour, we were able to get onto North Sanders Road then over to Sandero Road via Avra Valley Road. The turn to Golden Gate Road is difficult to notice because the road is a narrow winding sandy road for 4 miles into the Sendero Esperanza Trailhead.

Golden Gate Corner picture

(Google maps)

The Sendero Esperanza Trail starts off as a moderate sandy trail leading up to Hugh Norris Trail where it turns and after many switchbacks over rocky terrain takes us up to beautiful views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. A peaceful hike where birdsong is commonly heard.  

The longer hiking group hiked up to the Saddle where another view of Tucson could be seen. From the Saddle, the final trail to Wasson Peak is 0.3 miles further. We ate lunch on the peak. I found shade and a bit of a breeze that helped cool off in the 87 degree F. weather. The hike was an up and back hike, so we enjoyed the same trail the second time, and of course new views from the other direction.

We went a little farther than 12.06 km because I didn't turn my phone on until

about 1 km down the trail.

Wasson Peak trail, via Sendero Esperanza trailhead

    Take I-10 SE to exit 236, Maricopa exit. Turn right and then again right (past the frontage road), onto Marana Road. Drive one mile and turn left onto North Sanders Road and drive four miles. At the stop sign turn left onto Avra Valley Road. Drive one mile and turn right onto Sandero Road. Proceed 8.8 miles and turn left at Golden Gate Rd. Drive easterly past Hohokam Rd. to the  Sendero Esperanza trailhead parking on the right. Pit toilets.   

32°17’04.83”N,  111°10’01.72”

65 miles.  Suggest re-imburse driver $10 each.

November 10, 2017 Sabino Canyon - Phoneline Trail Hike

Hikers renewing acquaintances and signing up for the second hike of the season.

We left the park at 8:00 in order to arrive at Sabino Canyon Tram by 10:00. Each hiker saved $2.00 on the tram fee because we went as a group; cost $8.00. We made sure each vehicle had someone with a Golden Age Passport so we would not have to pay a gate admission and parking fee.

We gathered at the tram at 10:00 as planned and enjoyed a commentary about the history of the park, mountain ranges and facts about various aspects of Sabino Canyon as we wound our way up the N. Upper Sabino Canyon Road. After disembarking we took our group photo and broke up into two groups to hike the Phoneline trail straight north from the turnabout. Mike lead a group of hikers who like to go a bit faster and Barry lead the group who liked the enjoy more of the scenery and go at a slower pace.

The Phone Line Trail starts with switchbacks up the canyon wall and turns east until the junction of Sabino Canyon Trail and Phoneline Trail. Following Phoneline Trail #27 which leads down several dips until it starts to head back south. There are beautiful canyons and rocky structures that make this hike fabulous, especially in the weather we experienced this day. The shade provided a comfortable reprieve from the sun.  

The second group hiked phoneline trail until heading down to link up with Rattlesnake trail and Esperero Trail, then back on the road to the Visitor Center.

 

Where we turned to link with Rattlesnake Trail

Driving Directions:  From I-10 and Florence Blvd. go south on I-10. At Exit 248 go east on Ina Rd. which will become Skyline Dr., which will become Sunrise Dr.   After Verde Mt. Dr. on your left you will see the brown Sabino Canyon sign on the right, then turn left on Sabino Canyon Rd. at the light. Sabino Canyon Visitor Center is a short distance on the right.   32°18’35.86” N, 110°49’26.44” W

November 3, 2017 First Hike Changed to Casa Grande Mountain - See Post

Idaho Pass To Blue Ridge

Friday, Nov.3rd, the first hike of the year, Idaho Pass to Blue Ridge! Not! We gathered at our normal spot by the main mailboxes, all five of us, Skip, Connie, Sharon, Marilyn, and myself.

With such a feeble showing we decided to forego the trip up to Phoenix and head south for Casa Grande Mountain and explore some of the new trails that had been built over the summer. Unlike most Friday’s our drive to the trailhead was much shorter.

In no time we were following Skip out from the Peart Road Trailhead, combining parts of the Spine Trail, Ridge Trail, & Ridge Trail we hiked the east side of the mountain for just over five miles before returning to the truck, and back to Palm Creek around 12:30.

by Barry Hemmelgarn