December 8, 2017 - Wild Mustang/Alamo Springs trails, Tortalita Mtns.

A cool morning as we signed up for rides to the

Tortalita Mountains, Wild Burro Trailhead.

The hikers broke up into three groups.
One group went up the Wild Burro Canyon trail to the rock shelter and trough.
The second group hiked up the Wild Mustang - Alamo Trail
The third group hiked Upper Javelina trail to Wild Mustang Trail which meets up with the Alamo Trail and back via the Wild Burrow Trail.

Wild Burro Canyon Trail - Skip and Connie

Wild Burro - AlamoTrail - Barry's group

 This GPS is from All Trails - This map calls Wild Mustang Trail - Wild Burro Trail. Wild Mustang trail is up on a ridge 

 This GPS is from All Trails - This map calls Wild Mustang Trail - Wild Burro Trail. Wild Mustang trail is up on a ridge 

This map shows the top of Wild Burro trail - All Trails Map

All Trails website for Wild Burro Trail

This is a  Garmin GPS Track from 2015. Lower Javelina Trails.  It calls the Wild Borro Trail, Wild Mustang

Upper Javelina - Wild Mustang, Alamo Springs and Wild Burro Trail - Nancy and Mike

We started across the parking lot to the Upper Javelina Trail up a steep climb. This took us over to the Wild Mustang Trail along a ridge. This brought us to Alamo Springs then down to a rock house and a trough. We walked out down a wash on Wild Burro Trail (called Wild Burro Trail on All Trails map and Wild Mustang trail on Garmin GPS map) 

The red track is Upper Javelina to Wild Mustang to Alamo Springs to Wild Burro. The Garmin maps do not show Wild Burro Trail which comes down a wash. We went around this trail clockwise.

All Trails Map - Almost the same, but we went across the parking lot to Upper Javelina then on the spur trail to the Wild Mustang trail.

Directions:

Wild Mustang/Alamo Springs trails, Tortalita Mtns.

    Take I-10 S. to exit 240 which is Marana exit. Turn left under the overpass and across the tracks on W. Tangerine Rd. In 5 m. turn left at the light on N. Dove Mt. Blvd. In 4.6 Mi. turn right off the turn-about onto N. Secret Springs Drive. Tell the guard at the guard station we’re hiking (if asked) and proceed to the trailhead parking lot on the right. 32°28’33.74”N, 111°05’28.97W.  Nice restrooms here.

Google Map to Wild Mustang/Alamo Strings hike Trailhead

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