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In Piestewa's Shadow by black_toes Note This trail is not on current park maps. Do not hike if signed do not enter. Overview This ridgeline is a lost place in one of the busiest Phoenix parks. Lying in between the legions doing Piestewa Peak on the west and the steady traffic on the Quartz Ridge Trail to the east, this little range is all but ignored. A faint and unmarked trail crosses the summits of this unimposing group of six peaks, all about 2,100' elevation, providing great vistas and surprising challenges. Hike I began the hike on the north end for a simple reason. I was not sure where the trail came out on the south. Or if it would come out at all. Or just peter out somewhere in the middle with scary terrain. I came up the Ruth Hamilton Tr (#8B) to the high saddle after parking at the Squaw Pk Drive dead end. From the Elydia Davis Memorial bench I headed straight up Peak 2141 on the S rather than to continue E on the Hamilton Tr down to the Quartz Ridge (#8A). I was unprepared for the steep up and down and in places a vanishing path that required scrambling through brush and over boulders. From below on Squaw Peak Dr the ridgeline had appeared so mellow. The inner two peaks, #3 and #4, had seen little if any recent traffic. Peak #4 has a flat space on top and ample room to stretch out for a picnic or rest. Someone, apparently coming up from the south, spray-painted the north face of Peak #5 with blue graffiti. The end of the trail comes out on the high and unmarked Mohave connector above the #202, but getting there wasn't easy. The south face of Peak #6 is very steep with treacherous footing, so it took time getting down. I completed the loop by continuing on the connector trail up a hill and them down to the Mohave Ramada and back on paved Squaw Pk Dr to where I started. The loop measured out at 2.07 miles. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
One-Way Notice This hike is listed as One-Way. When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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
Mohave Ridgeline
Pulled in to the 32nd street TH about 430 for an afternoon jaunt. I put this loop together a bit on the fly to add up a few trails in the Preserve I had not been on before. My GPS track left off a little chunk for some reason, so I adjusted the stats a bit. I took the 8A to the 8B, and then up the Mohave Ridgeline. I was expecting all off trail for this bit, but there was a use trail for a very good portion of this. Great little ridgeline, packs a lot of punch for such a short trail. I connected up with the Mohave trail and up, and then circled back around the 202 connector. The rain started just as I had gotten on the return leg, and it became a downpour very shortly thereafter. Got out my rain jacket to keep my pack dry, by the time I made it back to the truck there was a good 2-3" of flowing water on the trail. Good stuff! Too bad the rain did not make it up to my house, but it was certainly nice to be out in it, even if my boots are soaked through for a few days.
2016-08-02 The_Dude
Mohave Ridgeline
Phoenix Mountains Medley
john had the day off, so we met up at the 32nd and lincoln trailhead for a hike in the preserve
i wanted to go up on black toes' ridgeline 6
we talked about doing that with peak 2429, but instead did a loop with two of my favorites, voaz and irregular loop
8A - 302 - irregular link - 1A - voaz (with a visit to the lookout) - 304 - 8B
from the 8B saddle, went south and up along the ridgeline
fun scrambling with good views of the park
pretty obvious trail most of the way
didn't care for how we dropped off the end, and in looking at my track i can see why
if anyone is interested in doing this, load black toes' track and descend toward the southwest rather than the south
back on 202 and 8A
a nice alternative from 8B for a loop instead of a lasso
thanks for doing this with me john
i wanted to go up on black toes' ridgeline 6
we talked about doing that with peak 2429, but instead did a loop with two of my favorites, voaz and irregular loop
8A - 302 - irregular link - 1A - voaz (with a visit to the lookout) - 304 - 8B
from the 8B saddle, went south and up along the ridgeline
fun scrambling with good views of the park
pretty obvious trail most of the way
didn't care for how we dropped off the end, and in looking at my track i can see why
if anyone is interested in doing this, load black toes' track and descend toward the southwest rather than the south
back on 202 and 8A
a nice alternative from 8B for a loop instead of a lasso
thanks for doing this with me john
2015-01-19 trekkin_gecko
