***Agua Fria-Badger Springs Rock Springs
North Phoenix
Original Hike Date: Saturday, April 19, 2003
Difficulty: Elevation 2150 feet.

The trail meanders along the Badger Springs wash in a riparian area. Take I-17 N. past Rock Springs to Badger Springs exit 256 (approx. 40 miles north of Phoenix). There is limited parking at Trailhead which is at the end of the unpaved road (just a few miles long and easy for passenger cars) going East.

Treasure Canyon At Williams Family Ranch
Wickenburg
Date of Original Hike: Saturday, January 19, 2002
This hike is rated as moderate

To acces the trail take I-17 to Exit 223 (SR 74) and go west past Lake Pleasant to US. 60. Turn right and continue another 10 miles in Wickenburg. Look for the McDonald's on the right just before the Hassayampa River Bridge and turn right here onto El Recreo Drive. Follow this road a short distance until it joins the Constellation Road. Continue on constellation Road another 16 miles (approx) all the way to the end. Bear left after about 8 miles where Buckhorn Creek Road veers off to the East. You will pass some old mines and abandoned buldings along the way. At the end of this winding road through the hills you will come upon the Williams Family Ranch which is set in the Hassayampa Wilderness.

**Seven Springs-Cave Creek
Original Hike Date: November 17, 2001

To get to Seven Springs, go North on Freeway 101 then on to Pima all the way to Cave Creek Road in Carefree. Turn Right and go about 10 miles to the East to the Ranger Station where the road to Horseshoe Dam turns off to the right. At this point continue on the Cave Creek Road about five miles where the pavement ends and go another 10 miles on FR 24 to the trailhead parking which is beyond the campgrounds.

You will cross the creek a couple of times on the way. This is a really pretty trail offering a variety of views. There are high spots providing beautiful vistas and a stretch along the creek with beautiful trees. It can be done as an out and back along the creek for the hiker who doesn't want to put in much elevation. That section of the trail is rated as easy.

** Wind Cave
Original Hike Date: December 15, 2001

To get to the Usery Mountain Recreation Area, exit Hwy. 60 at Ellsworth Road and go to Usery Pass Road. You will pay a (small) fee. Take Usery Park road to Wind Cave Drive West. This hike is in the same area at the Pass Mountain hike. For a longer hike, connect with the Pass Mountain hike or one of many other trails in the area. Maps are available at the ranger station at the entrance to the park.

**Ice House Canyon Saturday, Globe
Original Hike Date: May 20, 2000

Take US 60 East to Globe about 80 miles from Phoenix to the intersection of SR 88 on the left. At this intersection turn right heading south on FR 55. There should be a small sign pointing to the Pinal Recreation area. Follow this road around 10 miles to the junction of FR 651 and continue south on FR 651 another 10 miles up the mountain to the trailhead for Icehouse Canyon Number 198. Some people may want to stop a mile before Icehouse and park at the Ferndell Trailhead Number 197 that has more parking. Either of these trails will make a good hike as they can be taken as a loop from one trailhead to the other.

National Trail
South Mountain Park
Original Hike Date: Saturday, Feb. 19, 2000
Last updated: Nov. 20, 2004

   This is one of our favorite areas to hike during the winter months.  It’s close to Phoenix yet offers a rugged terrain.  Take I-10 to Baseline, go West to 46th Street.  Parking lot is located one-half mile west of 48th street, where the Pima Canyon gatehouse is located.

The full trail runs 14.8 miles. To do the entire trail, you must leave a car at one end of the trail and carpool. It is a fun hike. For the less than eager to go the distance, there are many shorter hikes available. We often do the Mormon loop to the National Trail and return to the parking lot…a really fun, quick hike.

Or the Ridgeline hike. All of the trails are mapped out and available from Parks & Rec. To leave your car at the end, drive south on Central until it ends, in the park. Follow the road to the end, and park one car, car pool to the other entrance. To enter the start of the trail, exit I-10 at Elliot, go /east to 48th st, head north / right.

The entrance to the park backs up to the greens of the golf course.

  All of the trails in South Mountain Park are rocky and have some steep sections, some moderate sections.  It offers a variety of trail, rock and views of the city.  This will be an out-and-back hike for most but for the hearty, the National Trail continues for 14.3 miles, ending at The Western most tip of the park.  To do the full hike, leave one car in the parking lot at the very west end of San Juan Road accessed via the Central Ave. entrance of the South Mountain Park.

Dutchman's Trail At Peralta
Trail head (#104)
Coffee Flat Trail
(#108) Apache Junction
Original Hike Date -- Saturday, February 3, 1996

    Access to the trail is from Apache Junction. Go about 8 miles east on Route 60.  Turn left (north) between milepost 204 and 205 onto dirt Forest Service Road FS 77.  Peralta Trail head is about 7.2 miles at the end of FS 77.  There is a parking area at this point and the trail head is off the parking area.  Dutchman’s Trail appears to be just under 2 miles to Coffee Flat Trail (#108).  Continue on toward Whetrock Canyon which is just under 5 miles one way from where you started.  This would be a good turning point. For those who would like to turn back earlier, Fraser Canyon would be just under 4 miles one way.  This is listed as a ** moderate ** hike with elevation changing about 1,246’.

***Usury Mountain Recreation Area
Mesa & Apache Junction
Original Hike Date  -- Saturday, March 9, 1996

      Usury Mountain Recreation Area is located 12 miles northeast of Mesa via the Apache Trail to Ellsworth Road, then to Usury Pass Road.  Once you enter the park area and pay a $2.00 per car fee, proceed to the Picnic Area #10.  There are 11 different trails ranging from .33 to 7.1 miles.  The various trails link together or loop back, depending on the distance you wish to hike.  The trails are *easy* to ***difficult*** so the level of hike depends on the individual.

**Holbert Trail, Phoenix
 Original Hike Date -- Saturday   September 21, 1996

   Access to the trail head is from Baseline Rd. Go South on 7th Street to the South Mountain Park.  Just past the Park entrance gate turn left and follow the road to the south parking lot area  about 1/2 mile.   The trail head is just across the road from the parking area.

**Shaw Butte Trail (Trail # 306), Phoenix
Original Hike Date -- Saturday, February 15, 1997

Access the trail head by taking Thunderbird Road and turning south on 7th Street. There is parking available at the trail head. To get to Shaw Butte Trail go west on Trail # 100 which connects to the Shaw Butte Trail, # 306.  Turn right and follow the loop for approximately 4 miles and exit again at trail #100. The walk up Shaw Butte is on a service road that is rocky and steep in places. The trail is also frequented by mountain bikers so caution should be used. This hike is rated **moderate** to ***difficult*** and the elevation ranges from a low of 1390' to a high of 1890'.

**Ford Canyon - White Tank Mountains, Phoenix
Original Hike Date -- Saturday, March 22, 1997

   This trail winds through the canyon past scenic rock formations to an old masonry dam. This trail offers an outstanding “primitive” experience with its proximity to the metropolitan area.  The park is one of the largest in the United States.  This great hike is listed as **moderate** with an elevation low of 1590' to a high of 2260'. It is an out and back hike of about 6 miles.

**Bluff Springs Trail - Apache Junction
Original Hike Date -- Saturday,  January 18, 1997

  Access to the trail is Highway 60 from Apache Junction about 8.5 miles to Peralta Road and turn left.  Follow the dirt road for about eight miles.  There is plenty of parking at the trail head. 

   The Peralta trail head is just off the northeast corner of the parking lot.  Go right, (east) and cross the Peralta Canyon creek bed.  Walk north about 50 yards up the path to a trail intersection and take the Bluff  Spring Trail.  At the intersection, turn left. Follow the Bluff Spring Trail (235) past the Cave Trail intersection, down into Barks Canyon and up the hill to the Terrapin Trail intersection.  Continue on the Bluff Spring Trail down Bluff Spring Canyon to Bluff Springs.  Return the same way.   There are other alternate trails. This out and back hike is about 7 miles round trip.  This is considered a **moderate** hike with the elevation change of about 1320’.

    To access the trail head go on State Route 88, about 15 miles northwest on Apache Junction between mileposts 210 and 211.  The trail head is across the highway from the Canyon Lake Marina complex where free trail head parking is provided.

    From the Canyon Lake Trail head on State Route 88, hike up Boulder Canyon Trail (103).  From a spur off Trail 103, enter the creek bed at the mouth of La Barge Creek and hike South up the creek bed to the intersection with Boulder Canyon Trail (103).  This hike offers beautiful canyon and cliff views and has seasonal pools of water. It is a 5.6 miles out and back trail with an elevation gain of approximately 1220 feet. It is rated as a moderate hike for those who wish to hike about 4 hours.

      This is a 3 or 4 mile walk through the beautiful desert.  To access the trail head located at the back of a large dirt parking lot, take 40th St. south of Shea Blvd. until 40th St. turns into a gravel road. This trail is mostly level that crosses a  few desert washes. It has loose rocks so hiking boots are recommended. This walk can be extended to Dreamy Draw Park and through the central Phoenix Mountain Preserve which includes Shaw Butte, North Mountain and Squaw Peak. These trails are more ***difficult*** and are not for beginner walkers. Also, these trails are popular mountain biking trails so use caution.

Reavis Canyon Trail, Superior -- Trail #509
Original Hike Date -- Saturday, December 2, 1995

   To access trail take Highway 60 east toward Superior. Forest Road 8 is approximately 1/4 mile east of the Queen Creek Bridge. Turn left on Forest Road 650. The trail head is approximately 1 mile further down FR 650 and access is by walking or high clearance vehicle only. This trail is considered moderate in difficulty and is approximately 9 miles one way. This is an “out and back” trail, so you can go as far as you like at a pace that is comfortable to you. “Mud Creek” is about 1/2 way down the trail and is a good turn around point.

**Cave Creek Recreation Area -
Go John Trail
Original Hike Date -- Saturday, January 9, 1999

        The Cave Creek Recreation Area entrance is on the northside of the Carefree Highway. Turn north on 32nd St. and go 1.5 miles north of Carefree Highway. Access the Carefree highways from either I-17 or Scottsdale Rd.  Once in the park, bear right and proceed to the picnic area. There you will find a large map. There are two trailheads leading to 5 hikes that vary in length (1 mile to 5.4 miles) that range in difficulty from easy to moderate.  All trails are rugged.  The longest is the Go-John Trail.  This is a long loop from Trailhead 2 and circles mountainous terrain with the highest point in the area being 3,060 feet.  It climbs over three passes between large arroyos, which carve the landscape.  It is low enough in elevation that it makes a great winter hiking area.

Desert Classic Trail or Mormon Loop
South Mountain Preserve -- Phoenix
Original Hike Date -- March 6, 1999

    To get to the park entrance, take I-10 to Baseline, go west, then south on 48th St. to Pima Canyon Road. This is a really popular hiking area with many good trails.  The Desert Classic is 9 miles one direction.  To do this, you might want to have cars at the other end.  It's 17 miles if you do the loop.  Mormon Loop is 5.5 miles.  All the trails have rugged, rocky and steep sections, but can be done by most hikers.

Pass Mountain Trail – Mesa
Usury Mountain Recreation Area
Original Hike Date: Saturday, March 18, 2000

  There are rest rooms at the trailhead.  These are also the directions to the Wind Cave Trail.  There is another starting area from the Blevins horse staging area. 

  The hike is 7.1 miles, ranges in elevation from 2020’ to 2650’ and offers a view of the Fountain at Fountain Hills from one of the peaks. The trail is open, rocky, and rated as difficult. The views are spectacular!  You may also do the Wind Cave Trail, 1.6 miles, rated as moderate., but with an elevation range from 2020’ to 2840’.  Since you will be in sunshine most of the way, be sure to carry snacks and plenty of water.

*Lost Goldmine - Apache Junction
Date of Original Hike - January 18, 2003

The directions to Lost Goldmine are almost the same as the ones to the Peralta Trail. Go East on US 60 thru Apache Junction and Gold Canyon Ranch to the turnoff for the Peralta Trail. (MP 204) Turn in and go about 6.5 miles to the big parking lot for the Lost Goldmine Trailhead. There is no sign at this parking area until you actually drive up to the trailhead. If you reach the National Forest Boundary sign you have gone too far and must go back. The trailhead is on state land rather than in the National Forest so the parking is free at this lot. That is a plus. You can hike west a few miles and return to the starting point. Scenery is quite pretty in this area with only a few ups and done thru washes. There is only a slight elevation gain so this hike is rated easy.

Bluff Springs Loop, Superstition Mountains
Mesa, Apache Junction
January 17, 2004

Difficulty – Strenuous due to rocky trail and length of hike. Bluff Springs is a 9-mile loop, very pretty. Reach the trailhead via the Peralta trailhead.
Take hwy 60 to Milepost 204.

Cattle Creek Trail, Hell’s Canyon
Lake Pleasent
February 21, 2004

Take I-17 N to Exit 223 (Carefree Hwy./Hwy. 74) Turn left (West.) toward Lake Pleasant and go approximately 11 miles. Just past mile marker 19, turn right (N.) on Castle Hot Springs Rd. Go to end and turn left.

From here, follow the unpaved road West about 5.5 miles. Do NOT turn at the junction after 3 miles; continue west toward Morristown. This road goes through a lot of washes that could possibly flood. Also, you must watch the odometer, as the Trailhead sign on the left is a narrow one, which will not be obvious if cars are already parked.

There is a cattle grate near the Trailhead and parking is along the road. The trail starts across the wash to the South.