Maricopa Trail - White Tank/I-10, AZ

From the White Tanks visitors center/library parking lot, head around the south side, 200 yds. past the desert tortoise enclosure and park gate, to where Maricopa Trail crosses Olive Ave. The next 1½ miles are rather rocky.


After 1¾ miles, the route turns east onto a dirt road (Northern Ave.) It is a smooth ¾ mile to Beardsley Canal. Just before the canal, turn south onto the singletrack which parallels the access road.South of Northern Ave., the trail is wider and usually smoother. It often divides small areas of lush brushiness. At 5 miles, the route turns east along the north boundary of Verrado. On your left will be a barbed-wire fence; on your right Bethany Home Rd. After another ⅓ mile, you will arrive at the 195th Ave. / Jackrabbit Trail "trailhead".

The route turns south on a paved bike path. South of Montebello Ave. (6 miles), the route becomes gravelly, very wide, shoulder. South of Meadowbrook Ave. (6¾ miles), despite still being on the shoulder, the route actually becomes singletrack for a quarter mile, before finally returning to the paved bike path.

At just under 7½ miles, the route arrives at Indian School Rd. Turn west.

A mile later, just past Verrado High School, turn left onto the Acacia Way bike path. The route soon crosses the road, traveling through small pocket parks between Verrado houses on the right and a wash on the left. Besides doggie doo bag stations, there was at least one water fountain.

At 10¼ miles, the bike path bends to the right. If you look to the left, across some desert, you will see the sewage plant. Turn left there to stay on Maricopa Trail. (It is ½ mile to trailhead-less I-10.)

2022-10-15 kingsnake