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View that a radio wave gets by PaleoRob Overview The Radio Tower trail is the most popular trail in Casa Grande Mountain Regional Park. It follows an access road up to the radio towers. Warning This is the Sonoran Desert. It is hot and there is no water. There may also be poisonous reptiles lurking about, so watch your step. There are no cholla along the trail, but some are nearby and occasionally cholla bits end up on the trail - keep a sharp eye out. There is no shade on this trail in the afternoon or evening. History This "trail" is really a road. It was built to install and then maintain the radio towers located at the culmination of this trail. Hike The trail starts in the parking lot off of Hanna Road. It is a very easy-to-follow trail, as you will be walking along a well maintained dirt road from start to finish. The hiking is typical Sonoran Desert summit hiking, similar to the environs around the Piestewa Peak/Circumference trails. This hike is well shaded in the morning, as the road/trail climbs a west-facing canyon. At .5 miles from the trailhead there is a gate to bar access to vehicles. This can be walked around on either side. At .89 miles there is a broad area with a bench-like structure. This location offers fantastic views of the Casa Grande Valley and areas further abroad - the Four Peaks are even visible. Just past this location is another gate. There are no signs on it and it also can be bypassed on either side. The end of the trail is the radio tower enclave at the top of the road. This is the turnaround point for most hikers. There are ways to get from the radio towers to the high points in the Casa Grande Mountains, but they are described elsewhere. Turn around and make your way back to your vehicle. Water Sources None. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Gate Policy: If a gate is closed upon arrival, leave it closed after you go through. If it is open, leave it open. Leaving a closed gate open may put cattle in danger. Closing an open gate may cut them off from water. Please be respectful, leave gates as found. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Casa Grande Mountain Park - Radio Tower
On the way back north I decided to hit another all time unique for me on the outskirts of Arizona’s premier city! I opted to climb the trail and save the road for the downhill. I couldn’t figure out why the gps track went beyond the benchmark peak until I got up there. The ridgeline is really cool! I did a full out n back, hitting the range high point and a few other bumps along the way.
The gnats are out but the breeze helped keep them at bay. Visibility was terrible but there’s not much you’d want to see from here anyway!
The entire hike was accompanied by high caliber rapid gunfire along the base of the mountain. I skipped calling the sheriff. Probably because there’s a firing range.
The gnats are out but the breeze helped keep them at bay. Visibility was terrible but there’s not much you’d want to see from here anyway!
The entire hike was accompanied by high caliber rapid gunfire along the base of the mountain. I skipped calling the sheriff. Probably because there’s a firing range.
2018-04-26 chumley
Casa Grande Mountain Park - Radio Tower
Busy day of work down in the Old Pueblo, so only had time for a short one. Hit up this old favorite on the way home, nice temps in the afternoon with some cloud cover and a breeze. Made it up the Bolt trail, over on the ridgeline to the end of the trail, and then back around and down the Radio road. I will say the concrete on the tower road is much nicer for a decent than the old ankle buster rocks that were there to contend with. I did not see any other hikers until I made it back to the tower road, then I saw a good 30 people or so. Some jack- 
decided that it would be a good idea to put a big heavy rock on top of all the prominent Cholla and Saguaros along the ridgeline trail...the plant guy in me could not stand for it. I must have pulled off a good 50-60 on the way back to the tower. It is not quite orange spray paint on rocks, but pretty close in my book. All in all a good day!
decided that it would be a good idea to put a big heavy rock on top of all the prominent Cholla and Saguaros along the ridgeline trail...the plant guy in me could not stand for it. I must have pulled off a good 50-60 on the way back to the tower. It is not quite orange spray paint on rocks, but pretty close in my book. All in all a good day!2016-09-13 The_Dude
Casa Grande Mountain Park - Radio Tower
After work grinder for some elevation gain, started out about 4. Made my way up the bolt trail, down the tower trail, and then back up the tower and over the ridgeline and back. The trail was in good shape, just a little muddy from the morning rain. There had to have been 30 cars in the parking lot when I was done, this was the busiest I have ever seen this trail. Trying to make that 20,000' gain for the month, if I can squeeze in one more hike by Saturday that should do it...
2015-01-27 The_Dude
Casa Grande Mountain Park - Radio Tower
Great after work stop for a quickie. Hiked up the Bolt trail after a quick search, headed south along the ridgeline to the end of the trail, and came back via the radio tower road. I really enjoyed the Bolt trail, great elevation gain without having to walk the road. No other hikers out when I got there at 4 p.m.
2014-09-02 The_Dude
Casa Grande Mountain Park - Radio Tower
Quick one in on the way home today, nice to hike with only a few pounds on my back after this weekend! Powered up the radio tower road, and continued on the ridgeline to the American Flag memorial, then turned around and headed back. I saw at least 20 other people yesterday afternoon, the most I have seen on this trail yet. No big surprise, the weather was quite nice.
2014-01-28 The_Dude
Casa Grande Mountain Park - Radio Tower
Hunting Comet PanSTARRS
Headed out to see if I could spot Comet PanSTARRS. I was unable to get out the night before due to my wife being released from the hospital (yay! 
) so I postponed the trip. I was worried I wouldn't be able to see it as it got darker and darker but I finally was able to make it out for about 10 minutes right before it set.
) so I postponed the trip. I was worried I wouldn't be able to see it as it got darker and darker but I finally was able to make it out for about 10 minutes right before it set.2013-03-13 PaleoRob
Casa Grande Mountain Park - Radio Tower
I snuck this one in one the way home from Tucson for work. I wouldn't call this a destination hike, but if you are driving by it is just a few miles off the I-10 and very easy to get to. There is some nice elevation gain going up the radio tower road, and even more if you continue west along the ridgeline. Lots of cholla, so not too dog friendly, but not too many people either making it good for some quick solitude. I thought I would get in a little extra training for the Spartan Race this weekend, so I plowed through all of the elevation gain without any breaks and jogged most of the downhill. I was a little disconcerted to see some broken window glass in the parking lot, but there were some cars there much nicer than mine so I thought I should be OK. 
2013-02-05 The_Dude
Casa Grande Mountain Park - Radio Tower
Fastest time yet with the hiking club, training up for taking them to Picacho on the 1st. Made it to the summit in 63 minutes, including breaks, then back down in 60. Everyone really was doing awesome and the kids were even running at the end. I am excited to see how they do at Picacho.
2011-09-24 PaleoRob
Casa Grande Mountain Park - Radio Tower
MH Prep's first hiking club trip. Some kids did really strong. Some kids were newbies. Some kids showed up late. I personally was on the trail from 6:15 to 9:30. It was starting to get warm, and I had run out of water on the return trip, since it was taking longer than expected. All in all, though, it was a good trip and the kids were really enjoying it. Hopefully we'll be doing this more times and the kids will be able to hike a bit faster/get in shape. Then, on to bigger and better things!
2011-08-20 PaleoRob
Casa Grande Mountain Park - Radio Tower
Headed out to The Mountain, as locals call it, for the first time today. Went up in 30 minutes, including about 5 minutes of breaks. Came down in 23 minutes, no breaks. Nice views. I was back at my house before 7am. I'm not used to the whole "going up a mountain is hiking" thing yet though - mostly canyons and slickrock, so this is a whole new scene for me. There are several spur trails that lead off of this trail, including the Bolt Trail and a trail that takes you to the high points in the Casa Grande Mountains. Be sure I will be checking all of these out and more over the upcoming weeks and months. I think, since this hike is so short and so close to my home, I'll be doing it Mon/Wed/Fri in the morning before work.
2011-08-03 PaleoRob
