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Perimeter segment & butterfly boulevard by Crzy4AZ The Hackamore Trail segment in the Northern region of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (MSP) attracts mountain bikers looking for larger perimeter loops, hikers looking for an easy path, and bird and butterflies watchers. The trail begins close to the equestrian parking area which is appropriate since a "hackamore" is a device used in horse's bridle. There are two entry points: (1) if you climb up the little hill at the back of the large Brown's Ranch Trailhead parking lot - you will be at Sunset Point which connects to Hackamore trail or (2) From the bathrooms go past the amphitheater headed up towards Jane Rau trail and then turn right to the unnamed path 0.3 miles to trail marker HT1. Folks who are lucky enough to live in the nearby neighborhood may use the 0.2 mile trail from Alma School Road that leads to the HT1 marker. From the HT1 marker, you will cautiously cross the road and begin up the small hill where you can climb a bit higher to get to Sunset Vista (2769 feet elevation). For out of town guests or the very young and very old hiker, this little hill is a nice spot to feel like you've climbed something and a great place for photographs. Continuing back on Hacakmore travel through relatively flat sonoran desert with neighborhood visible to the south. If you are a bird watcher or butterfly enthusiast, this section of Hacakamore trail is lined ample goldeneye and other host plants seasonally to attract pollinators and feeders. At one mile you have the intersection with Powerline Road #2 trail and 0.1 miles later is the intersection for Rustler trail. Continue another 0.6 miles to the end of Hackamore trail segment where you may continue to follow the perimeter or make a loop with Cone Mountain Trail. As with most of the MSP trails, you can create endless loops with the various segments in the northern region depending on your skill level and time available. (The 1.8 mile distance listed is for the 0.2 miles from Alma School to HT1 + 1.6 miles of actual trail starting at HT1) 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
Hackamore Trail MSPN
West Express-MSPN
Another new trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Rowdy didn't make this hike as he wasn't feeling well.
I didn't see another hiker after I passed Brown Mountain Summit Trail.
I was a little disappointed as I was hoping to see some deer but that didn't happen
. But I did see a rattlesnake, tarantula and a Cardinal. 
The weather was perfect as it was cool but a little humid with a nice breeze and lots of cloud cover.
I didn't see another hiker after I passed Brown Mountain Summit Trail.
I was a little disappointed as I was hoping to see some deer but that didn't happen
. But I did see a rattlesnake, tarantula and a Cardinal.
The weather was perfect as it was cool but a little humid with a nice breeze and lots of cloud cover.
2017-11-07 RowdyandMe
Hackamore Trail MSPN
Family Sonoran Sunday at Brown's Ranch with the Conservancy. Kids always do nature trail before speaker starts. We have to get there early to help set up - gives them sometime to do. Speaker was SW Wildlife.
After the presentation Caroline and I did another mini hike from the amphitheatre area along Latigo to Hackamore and Sunset overlook and then down into parking lot. Fun little loop.
Brad and George went to a Sun's game together.
After the presentation Caroline and I did another mini hike from the amphitheatre area along Latigo to Hackamore and Sunset overlook and then down into parking lot. Fun little loop.
Brad and George went to a Sun's game together.
2016-02-21 Crzy4AZ
Hackamore Trail MSPN
Knocked out my final segment of the Powerline Trail for the ATC, by hiking the southwestern portion of it on the MSP-North map. Looped back using the Hackamore Trail.
Saw a rattlesnake. I see them so often at MSP Northern now that I'm becoming blasé about it. I did replace the leash I use with Trixie, with a stronger and much shorter one with which I can control her better. She again did not even see the snake though.
Saw a rattlesnake. I see them so often at MSP Northern now that I'm becoming blasé about it. I did replace the leash I use with Trixie, with a stronger and much shorter one with which I can control her better. She again did not even see the snake though.
2015-04-20 neilends
Hackamore Trail MSPN
It was a beautiful afternoon for a hike. I did not have a hike planned so Rowdy and I just started hiking and this how we ended up. The weather was very nice and the crowds were small perfect. We started out on the Latigo Trail and the rest is history. I did notice such a difference in this hike from the one we did yesterday. The plants were not the same even though the trails were not that far apart.
2015-03-22 RowdyandMe
Hackamore Trail MSPN
Cone-Brown Mountains Loop MSP
Used some free time this afternoon to knock off another 10 miles of the MSC All Trails Challenge, via mountain bike. Browns Ranch to Corral to Upper Ranch to Cone Mountain Loop to Hackamore. I left Hackamore to double back using Rustler, as there was no other way to mark Rustler off the list. Then I took the last segment of Cone Mountain, and repeated the route down Hackamore to the end.
Of these, Corral was easily the most fun, given the speeds my biking novice self could reach on its flat grade. Cone Mountain was a close second.
Rustler was both uphill and treacherous enough that I would enjoy hiking that in future rather than biking it again. I had to hop off the bike 3-4 times for the steep grade. At one spot, my attempting to bike it rather than walk across would have resulted in (a) certain comedy for anyone watching and (b) certain injuries for me. (Not something I've encountered with any other trail I've biked in MSP so far.)
Hackamore was a lot of fun. At the very end of Hackamore, there's a short trail not marked on HAZ called Sunset Vista Trail, leading to the parking lot. I'm not convinced it's worth the bother to add it. The official MSP map doesn't recognize it either.
I think I'm somewhere around 70 miles of the 133 ATC goal. Keeping track through HAZ and some ipad maps so I'll save the math for another day.
Of these, Corral was easily the most fun, given the speeds my biking novice self could reach on its flat grade. Cone Mountain was a close second.
Rustler was both uphill and treacherous enough that I would enjoy hiking that in future rather than biking it again. I had to hop off the bike 3-4 times for the steep grade. At one spot, my attempting to bike it rather than walk across would have resulted in (a) certain comedy for anyone watching and (b) certain injuries for me. (Not something I've encountered with any other trail I've biked in MSP so far.)
Hackamore was a lot of fun. At the very end of Hackamore, there's a short trail not marked on HAZ called Sunset Vista Trail, leading to the parking lot. I'm not convinced it's worth the bother to add it. The official MSP map doesn't recognize it either.
I think I'm somewhere around 70 miles of the 133 ATC goal. Keeping track through HAZ and some ipad maps so I'll save the math for another day.
2015-02-18 neilends
Hackamore Trail MSPN
MSPT-North
Wow what a beautiful afternoon for a hike. I think today I saw more hawks than ever before. Rowdy had a great time with all the pools of water. We took a few breaks watching people walk by us but they never saw us awesome.
I really had no plan for my hike other than parking at Brown's Ranch Trailhead. I think I may have agitated my ankle on yesterdays hike but I do see my surgeon tomorrow and hopefully get more painkillers. The hike started out great and ended the same way. It was a fun and easy hike and great views all around.
I really had no plan for my hike other than parking at Brown's Ranch Trailhead. I think I may have agitated my ankle on yesterdays hike but I do see my surgeon tomorrow and hopefully get more painkillers. The hike started out great and ended the same way. It was a fun and easy hike and great views all around.
2015-02-01 RowdyandMe
Hackamore Trail MSPN
Rustler Wrangler Corral loop MSP
ATC challenge miles tally: 106.9/133
Needed to pick up some segments working towards All Trails Club 133 mark. I did a loop that my daughter would describe as "cray cray". But it was the fastest way to do pieces I was missing. I have absolute disdain for Powerline Rd #2 trail for some reason - maybe it's the ugly power lines or the buzzing above your head or the sandy slush. But I.will.conquer.my.hatred.
@joebartels I wish there was a negative number on the trail rating scale for "awful".
Clearly I have a good life that the worst part of my day is hiking Powerline Rd.
So had never done Rustler and it has nice little granite boulder piles - and then Wrangler was quite pretty. Some ups/downs and Browns Mtn looming to left. I had done parts of Corral but not the whole thing - so circled around the top which is obsessively signed.
Top part of Corral is a lesson in yuccas - contrasting banana with soap tree. Otherwise just a regular trail - more for mtn bikers to extend loops that anything challenging or pretty for hikers. Saw a few MSC stewards at the TH doing Pathfinder who were not happy about Thompson Peak being on the ATC list, but nothing I can do about that.
Needed to pick up some segments working towards All Trails Club 133 mark. I did a loop that my daughter would describe as "cray cray". But it was the fastest way to do pieces I was missing. I have absolute disdain for Powerline Rd #2 trail for some reason - maybe it's the ugly power lines or the buzzing above your head or the sandy slush. But I.will.conquer.my.hatred.
@joebartels I wish there was a negative number on the trail rating scale for "awful".
Clearly I have a good life that the worst part of my day is hiking Powerline Rd.
So had never done Rustler and it has nice little granite boulder piles - and then Wrangler was quite pretty. Some ups/downs and Browns Mtn looming to left. I had done parts of Corral but not the whole thing - so circled around the top which is obsessively signed.
Top part of Corral is a lesson in yuccas - contrasting banana with soap tree. Otherwise just a regular trail - more for mtn bikers to extend loops that anything challenging or pretty for hikers. Saw a few MSC stewards at the TH doing Pathfinder who were not happy about Thompson Peak being on the ATC list, but nothing I can do about that.
2015-01-09 Crzy4AZ
Hackamore Trail MSPN
Latigo Trail Loop-MSPN
Today the trailhead was busy and it was busy when I left. 
Must be the weather just to nice to stay at home. Rowdy and I hit the trail around noon and I decided on the Latigo Trail but I did not want a simple in and out type of hike. So I looked at the map that I was given at Pinnacle Peak. This was a interesting loop for me as I played a little with my camera after Pam told a few things that I could do with it. I hope everyone likes my pictures 
.
As we headed up 118th St Trail I let Rowdy of leash for a bit as we were all alone for awhile. Rowdy decided to go off trail after some birds and before I knew it two deer jump out of nowhere and just started running. And they were faster running than I was trying to get my camera out and get a picture.
We headed up Vaquero Trail next and stopped for a water break. As Rowdy drank his water and eat my beef jerky about a dozen or so bike riders came by, so back on the leash for the rest of this trail.
But once we hit the Wrangler Trail is was back on leash off leash for Rowdy. He Really is turning into a good hiking buddy. He will run ahead of me but always stops just to make sure he can see me and if not he comes running back for me,I just love him. Once we hit the Upper Ranch Trail it was back on the leash. But as soon as we hit the Rustler Trail it was back off all the way back to the trailhead. After that we pulled to the horse trailer parking lot and he had some more water and some chicken and well I had a couple of beers as we took a break.
But as I sat there enjoy my cold adult beverage I saw some king of animal up on this rock formation. I am not sure what it was but it was pretty big for any animal I could think of but it move quickly. Ill have to go back and get closer and maybe I'll get lucking and get a picture. Any thats how my hike went.
Must be the weather just to nice to stay at home. Rowdy and I hit the trail around noon and I decided on the Latigo Trail but I did not want a simple in and out type of hike. So I looked at the map that I was given at Pinnacle Peak. This was a interesting loop for me as I played a little with my camera after Pam told a few things that I could do with it. I hope everyone likes my pictures .
As we headed up 118th St Trail I let Rowdy of leash for a bit as we were all alone for awhile. Rowdy decided to go off trail after some birds and before I knew it two deer jump out of nowhere and just started running. And they were faster running than I was trying to get my camera out and get a picture.
We headed up Vaquero Trail next and stopped for a water break. As Rowdy drank his water and eat my beef jerky about a dozen or so bike riders came by, so back on the leash for the rest of this trail.
But once we hit the Wrangler Trail is was back on leash off leash for Rowdy. He Really is turning into a good hiking buddy. He will run ahead of me but always stops just to make sure he can see me and if not he comes running back for me,I just love him. Once we hit the Upper Ranch Trail it was back on the leash. But as soon as we hit the Rustler Trail it was back off all the way back to the trailhead. After that we pulled to the horse trailer parking lot and he had some more water and some chicken and well I had a couple of beers as we took a break.
But as I sat there enjoy my cold adult beverage I saw some king of animal up on this rock formation. I am not sure what it was but it was pretty big for any animal I could think of but it move quickly. Ill have to go back and get closer and maybe I'll get lucking and get a picture. Any thats how my hike went.
2015-01-04 RowdyandMe
Hackamore Trail MSPN
Brown's Mountain-Cone Mountain Loop
Well I started off with the plan of hiking Pinnacle Peak. I finally found a parking spot and My brother Arthur and I started to head up the trail With Rowdy in tow. We were stopped and told no dogs were allowed even on a leash.
So we headed to Browns Mountain Trailhead with no plans. We started hiking to Brown's Mountain and decided to include Cone Mountain and do a loop. The weather was perfect and the trails had a steady flow of hikers and bike rides and a course a few horses.
We did see a lot of birds out today very nice. As we finished we decided to get something to eat. So we stopped in at Juan Jaime's Taco and Tequila for tacos and beer. Well Rowdy got some chicken breast that was cook in a nice sauce and it must have been good because he eat it all.Oh ares was great to.
So we headed to Browns Mountain Trailhead with no plans. We started hiking to Brown's Mountain and decided to include Cone Mountain and do a loop. The weather was perfect and the trails had a steady flow of hikers and bike rides and a course a few horses.
We did see a lot of birds out today very nice. As we finished we decided to get something to eat. So we stopped in at Juan Jaime's Taco and Tequila for tacos and beer. Well Rowdy got some chicken breast that was cook in a nice sauce and it must have been good because he eat it all.Oh ares was great to.
2014-12-21 RowdyandMe
Hackamore Trail MSPN
Cone Mountain & Brown's Mountain Summits
needed a peak today
also needed a decent hike
backed out of one event, missed out on another, and had two less than stellar days due to weather
i've been up brown's mountain before, but not this year
coupled with cone mountain, seemed worth driving up to the mcdowell sonoran preserve - north
took a nap after work this morning, then finally got going and started hiking around noon
upper ranch trail to cone mountain loop
found a decent line on the east side of cone mountain
pretty easy off trail
most vegetation was avoidable, any scree was packed down by recent rains, and there were lots of black rocks to step on
approached from the same side flying_fliver did on his ascent
the summit area was bigger than i anticipated
you're not very high, but still good views of the other peaks: brown's, cholla and little granite mountains
didn't stay long due to some flying ants and other bugs
came down the same way and continued on the loop back to upper ranch trail
took a right on brown's mountain trail and hit the summit
more nice views of MSP-N and a good breeze by now
heard a beehive in the lighter cliff face on the descent - didn't stop to look
took wrangler, rustler and hackamore trails to finish out the day
another beehive along hackamore about halfway between rustler and cone mountain trails
an ambitious hike bot could get good tracks for rustler and hackamore trails from my route
not much AEG out here if you're not hitting the peaks
haven't seen all the trails, but i'll be back, hopefully for a trail run on some of the others
saw only four hikers and one mountain biker
seemed odd for such a nice afternoon
had fun and got two more peaks for 2014
also needed a decent hike
backed out of one event, missed out on another, and had two less than stellar days due to weather
i've been up brown's mountain before, but not this year
coupled with cone mountain, seemed worth driving up to the mcdowell sonoran preserve - north
took a nap after work this morning, then finally got going and started hiking around noon
upper ranch trail to cone mountain loop
found a decent line on the east side of cone mountain
pretty easy off trail
most vegetation was avoidable, any scree was packed down by recent rains, and there were lots of black rocks to step on
approached from the same side flying_fliver did on his ascent
the summit area was bigger than i anticipated
you're not very high, but still good views of the other peaks: brown's, cholla and little granite mountains
didn't stay long due to some flying ants and other bugs
came down the same way and continued on the loop back to upper ranch trail
took a right on brown's mountain trail and hit the summit
more nice views of MSP-N and a good breeze by now
heard a beehive in the lighter cliff face on the descent - didn't stop to look
took wrangler, rustler and hackamore trails to finish out the day
another beehive along hackamore about halfway between rustler and cone mountain trails
an ambitious hike bot could get good tracks for rustler and hackamore trails from my route
not much AEG out here if you're not hitting the peaks
haven't seen all the trails, but i'll be back, hopefully for a trail run on some of the others
saw only four hikers and one mountain biker
seemed odd for such a nice afternoon
had fun and got two more peaks for 2014
2014-09-28 trekkin_gecko
