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View the valley by PaleoRob Overview The Casa Grande Mountain Ridgeline trail follows the ridgeline of the Casa Grand Mountains from the radio towers south. It can be accessed in a variety of ways. Warning This hike is shadeless and hot in the summer, with no water. There are plenty of cacti, and rattlesnakes inhabit the mountain. Take appropriate care. Hike This trail can be considered to start at the radio tower summit. This is the end of the Hanna Road and the destination of the popular Radio Tower Summit hike. Continuing past the radio towers, the trail narrows and rises as it follows the ridgeline. Just below the base of Casa Grande 2, the Bolt Trail comes in from the right (west). Either the Bolt Trail or hiking up Hanna Road will get you onto the northernmost portion of the Ridgeline Trail. Just past the Bolt Trail, the trail splits. You can go right and ascend Casa Grande 2, the second highest point in the Casa Grand Mountains, or continue heading south. Many people summit Casa Grande 2, before continuing along the trail, others do not. Your choice. The ridgeline is easy to follow and relatively level. There are two larger saddles between Casa Grande 2 and the flagpole that provide open views to the east and the west, while the higher points often have a few low palo verde trees clinging to them. There are several decent sized cholla fields along the route, so use care. Near Peak 2350, locally known as The Flagpole, there is a rectangular pit in the ground. This is an old copper mine, and traces of copper can still be seen on the walls and in the spoils pile. Just above is the summit, where most hikers generally turn back. There is a flag on the flagpole usually - the one up there currently was flown over Afghanistan in 2010, according to the literature in the summit register. The ridgeline continues but the established trail does not. While possible to complete a end to end ridgeline hike of the Casa Grande Mountains, the city has only built/maintained the trail between the radio towers and the flagpole. If you continue on, tread lightly. Occasionally, especially on weekends, you may hear gunshots. This is because the City of Casa Grande operates a gun range on the SW flank of the mountain. Do not be alarmed, they shouldn't be shooting at you. Water Sources None, bring your own. Check out the Triplogs. 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 Ridgeline Trail
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 Ridgeline Trail
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 Ridgeline Trail
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 Ridgeline Trail
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 Ridgeline Trail
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 Ridgeline Trail
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 Ridgeline Trail
Not what I would call a destination hike, but nice nonetheless. I drive Phoenix to Tucson just about every Tuesday for my job, and I have been looking at this one for a while. Great quick stop right off of the I-10, got in an hour hike with some pretty good gain. Best part, I only saw 3 other people, even though I started out at the trailhead at 4 P.M. on an otherwise fantastic weather day for hiking. Well worth the quick stop if you are driving by, you could do the whole ridgeline if you want, or just as much as you have time for.
2012-12-18 The_Dude
Casa Grande Mountain Ridgeline Trail
I wanted to get out with Randy again so he chose a hike in the Casa Grande Mountain and a follow-up 4X4 trip through the Sawtooth Mountains.
The hike started at the parking lot at the base of Casa Grande Mountain where we followed a service road up to the antenna towers at one of the lower peaks. From there we followed a clear trail along the ridgeline to the flagpole.
There was a pretty good breeze blowing (see photos of the flag) that raised a lot of dust in the distance but Randy was able to point out several peaks and mountain ranges within the area. It was difficult to make out, but Four Peaks was visible across the Superstition Mountain Range while behind us we could plainly see the mountains within the Sawtooth area.
While the sun was warm, the wind added a chill to the air up on the ridgeline, so it felt kinda good when we got back to Randy's truck. We stowed our gear in the back and headed South to the Sawtooth Mountains.
It should be noted that the trails around the Sawtooth area require a high clearance vehicle and some of them should not be attempted without 4-wheel drive. We crossed one wash with a trickle of running water and several that were dry, then went on a hill climb that was the real highlight of the day.
You know it's a rough area when you begin seeing shredded tires cluttering up the desert, and we saw enough to fill a dumpster (hint-hint)
We drove down several wrong trails before finally finding our way out of the maze and leading down a shaded tree lined dry wash.
We drove back into civilization and had a late lunch at a Mexican restaurant that had spicy hot food and cool beer (oh yeah). A tip of my ragged straw hat to Randy for a nice mountain hike and an exciting 4X4 trip through the Sawtooth Mountain wilderness
The hike started at the parking lot at the base of Casa Grande Mountain where we followed a service road up to the antenna towers at one of the lower peaks. From there we followed a clear trail along the ridgeline to the flagpole.
There was a pretty good breeze blowing (see photos of the flag) that raised a lot of dust in the distance but Randy was able to point out several peaks and mountain ranges within the area. It was difficult to make out, but Four Peaks was visible across the Superstition Mountain Range while behind us we could plainly see the mountains within the Sawtooth area.
While the sun was warm, the wind added a chill to the air up on the ridgeline, so it felt kinda good when we got back to Randy's truck. We stowed our gear in the back and headed South to the Sawtooth Mountains.
It should be noted that the trails around the Sawtooth area require a high clearance vehicle and some of them should not be attempted without 4-wheel drive. We crossed one wash with a trickle of running water and several that were dry, then went on a hill climb that was the real highlight of the day.
You know it's a rough area when you begin seeing shredded tires cluttering up the desert, and we saw enough to fill a dumpster (hint-hint)
We drove down several wrong trails before finally finding our way out of the maze and leading down a shaded tree lined dry wash.
We drove back into civilization and had a late lunch at a Mexican restaurant that had spicy hot food and cool beer (oh yeah). A tip of my ragged straw hat to Randy for a nice mountain hike and an exciting 4X4 trip through the Sawtooth Mountain wilderness
2012-01-13 AZLumberjack
Casa Grande Mountain Ridgeline Trail
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 Ridgeline Trail
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
