Route Editor
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Sweet view of Lake Pleasant by burntlizard The is one of the newest trails for the Maricopa County park system at Lake Pleasant. It is one of three new trails in the area. The trail was completed in November of 2014 and adds to the parks 8.3 mile trail system. Once the well marked trail comes off the Pipeline Canyon trail it becomes moderate and narrow in spots, with some nice switchbacks. The view becomes better as you head up. Jojoba, Brittle brush and big Saguaro Cactus line the trail. You can hear Canyon Wrens, Curve-billed Thrashers and Black-throated Sparrows up to the top, where then a group of Cliff Swallows will greet you by swiftly flying over. By far, this trail offers the best views of Lake Pleasant and the surrounding area in a 360 degree perspective. To the West there are big views of Hell's Canyon, Baldy Mountain and Peak 3465. To the North you have the Bradshaw mountains and to the East you can see 4 peaks, North Phoenix and of course, all of Lake Pleasant. This quick trail and hike are well worth the $$ you pay to enter the Park. 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
Yavapai Point Trail - Lake Pleasant
Judy and I out looking for wildflowers and a burro would be a bonus. Main gate told us that the bridge on Pipeline Canyon Trial was not operational and suggested we start at the North end of the trail for a longer out and back hike. As we hiked Pipeline we came across Yavapai Point Trail so followed Pipeline to the bridge that is not operational because the ends are about 10 yards from the shore because the water line is up. On the return we hiked Yavapai and took it back to the parking lot. Moderate poppy's and brittle bush is just starting to open up. Next few weeks should be spectacular!
Wildflowers
Mexican poppy, brittle bush
Wildflowers
Mexican poppy, brittle bush
2017-03-12 Sun_Ray
Yavapai Point Trail - Lake Pleasant
Post-sunrise hike with cloud cover at Lake Pleasant was the perfect way to kick the day off. Saw a couple burros, quail, vulture, and larger lizard on the trail, and a few others who awoke for the early am stride. Stopped for a few at the top to take in the view of the much lower lake levels - about 20' difference from my last visit to the lake at this section in the spring. Noticed the 1924 USGS Survey Marker at the top and joked that our kids would joke that at one point you had to write to DC in order to get information....
Followed the hike up with a relaxing shoreline tailgate and swim at the lake...good start to the day.
Followed the hike up with a relaxing shoreline tailgate and swim at the lake...good start to the day.
2016-07-23 afrankie
Yavapai Point Trail - Lake Pleasant
Impromptu hike decision late last night led me up to Lake Pleasant this morning. Started on the south end of Pipeline Canyon trail coming in from Scorpion Bay. I was the first car in the parking lot at 8:00 this morning. Ran into more people on the trail than I was expecting. Did the side trip up Yavapai Point and it was the highlight of the hike. The floating bridge was a close second. Saw two big fish near the shoreline from the bridge.
2016-01-24 Nightstalker
Yavapai Point Trail - Lake Pleasant
Frustum #19 and CHOLLA BM
There are two trails in the narrow Pipeline Canyon, located just west of Pleasant Lake.
I started on the Pipeline Canyon Trail, then transitioned to ‘off-trail’ to search for Frustum #19. I then went up atop Pk 2178 to locate CHOLLA BM.
Both the frustum (actually a boundary marker in the shape of a frustum) and the benchmark were set in place in 1924, a few years before the first Pleasant Lake Dam was completed. Neither one is in jeopardy of ‘going underwater’, as they are far above the high waterline.
I played alot of ‘dodge-ball’ with healthy cholla on my way up a ridge to the frustum area.
Once atop the little sloping ridge, I finally located Maricopa/Yavapai Boundary Marker #19, hiding in the low morning sun. For being so close to humanity, I was impressed with its good condition. One can see where attempts were made to dislodge the three plaques from the frustum. The plaques ‘held strong’ and are in excellent shape. The concrete around the plaques display the brunt of the ill-fated attempts to dislodge those plaques.
Next was, ‘go find the benchmark’, that was set in association with this frustum. I had the Lat/Long for the BM, so that was no problem. CHOLLA Triangulation Station (1924), is located atop Pk 2178, just 1/3rd mile up the ridge to the northwest from Frustum #19. The surveyors must have been impressed with all the cholla plants, ergo the BM’s name. No reference or azimuth marks were set.
CHOLLA BM is literally located at the end of, and in the middle of, another trail - Yavapai Point Trail. CHOLLA BM is in very good shape, considering its location.
I left Pk 2178 off-trail, transitioned back to the Yavapai Point Tr, then to the Pipeline Canyon Tr.
This was a fun, easy hike with great views of the second largest reservoir in Arizona.
Plus I located the things I set out to locate. All good things.
I started on the Pipeline Canyon Trail, then transitioned to ‘off-trail’ to search for Frustum #19. I then went up atop Pk 2178 to locate CHOLLA BM.
Both the frustum (actually a boundary marker in the shape of a frustum) and the benchmark were set in place in 1924, a few years before the first Pleasant Lake Dam was completed. Neither one is in jeopardy of ‘going underwater’, as they are far above the high waterline.
I played alot of ‘dodge-ball’ with healthy cholla on my way up a ridge to the frustum area.
Once atop the little sloping ridge, I finally located Maricopa/Yavapai Boundary Marker #19, hiding in the low morning sun. For being so close to humanity, I was impressed with its good condition. One can see where attempts were made to dislodge the three plaques from the frustum. The plaques ‘held strong’ and are in excellent shape. The concrete around the plaques display the brunt of the ill-fated attempts to dislodge those plaques.
Next was, ‘go find the benchmark’, that was set in association with this frustum. I had the Lat/Long for the BM, so that was no problem. CHOLLA Triangulation Station (1924), is located atop Pk 2178, just 1/3rd mile up the ridge to the northwest from Frustum #19. The surveyors must have been impressed with all the cholla plants, ergo the BM’s name. No reference or azimuth marks were set.
CHOLLA BM is literally located at the end of, and in the middle of, another trail - Yavapai Point Trail. CHOLLA BM is in very good shape, considering its location.
I left Pk 2178 off-trail, transitioned back to the Yavapai Point Tr, then to the Pipeline Canyon Tr.
This was a fun, easy hike with great views of the second largest reservoir in Arizona.
Plus I located the things I set out to locate. All good things.
2015-10-24 FLYING_FLIVER
Yavapai Point Trail - Lake Pleasant
Early morning to try for sunrise photos over Lake Pleasant. Started at Walkin' Jim TH to avoid paying the fee, went down Cottonwood Creek for about a hundred yards and caught the trail system in. It was too cloudy for a beautiful sunrise which is okay since I underestimated the distance and wouldn't have made it to the viewpoint in time for sunrise anyway. I really enjoyed the view anyway, and the storm clouds all around were super impressive.
2015-10-19 hippiepunkpirate
Yavapai Point Trail - Lake Pleasant
Great introductory hike to Lake Pleasant. Casual inclines that produce a 180 view of the Lake, a welcomed panoramic change from most other desert climbs. Lined with saguaros, the hike overlooks the Pipeline Canyon trail for much of the incline. This will be a common theme, but completing a hike with any type of water submersion is a bonus in my book! Bring a snack for the peak and enjoy the scenery - both natural and the recreationists acting a fool. Burro sightings were common as I overlooked from above.
2015-09-27 afrankie
Yavapai Point Trail - Lake Pleasant
This is one of the newer trails in the Lake Pleasant area. The hike up was quiet and quite picturesque, as many of the Brittle brush and Jojoba plants are getting ready to explode. The Canyon Wrens were in full force and singing quite contently. I'd like to do this as a sunrise or sunset hike.
2015-02-22 burntlizard
