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What is your favorite hiking trail at Usery. I usually hike to the top of the mountain and then sign my name in the jar on the north side. It's a great view at night. It's a great night hike too when there is a full moon. If doing the night hike you have to go the back way. Climb up from the east side of the mountain.

Jeremy, I was very interested in your comments about night hiking Usery. They close the main park at sunset. Are you coming in from the trailhead at the end of Meridian? I would be very interested in knowing more about this as I live not too far from there and have never entered the park from that direction. As far as other trails, there is a trail that goes about 7.5 miles all the way around the mountains. Can't remember what it is called but you must cross it in order to approach from the east to the mountain itself.

jhende2 wrote:As far as other trails, there is a trail that goes about 7.5 miles all the way around the mountains. Can't remember what it is called but you must cross it in order to approach from the east to the mountain itself.

That one's called the Pass Mountain Trail. It's in the TrailDEX, it's a nice hike with some good views of Superstition Mountain and the Goldfields, among others.

Usery is a great park. I've done a great deal of hiking out there (I live about 5 miles away). The ridgeline hike is my favorite...I'm doing it tomorrow with the intention of writing it up as a trail description.

The Meridian trailhead provides access to the Pass Mountain trail, it's less than a 1/4 mile from the trailhead to the Pass Mountain trail, you go through a rather large wash. Meridian Trailhead to the saddle of Pass Mountain trail is my favorite after work trailrun....few people...not like Wind Cave.

Meridian has a few other trails running from it. One heads East but runs out after about a mile. Another follows an ancient jeep road up into the Goldfield Mountains.

The goldfields are also another good close hike. A few trails, some o;d mines, and great views!

My favorite trail at Usery is also Pass Mountain! I can't wait to go on that one again, but maybe not until it cools off a bit.

Nothing like a 5:00 am run around the pass mountain trail in the morning. I haven't been running to long but the trip up into the pass just before sunrise is beautiful. I was accampanied by a pair of hawks a few weekends ago. The end of the hike is a little warm but still tolerable. The stretch from the pass up to the NE part of the mountain reminds me of the tonto trail (grand canyon) in places.

Hey! Aren't Pass Mt., Wind Cave, and Flatiron technically in the Tonto regardless of where they start. Are we risking a fine (or worse) by hiking them or are they part of the open portion of the forest. I have been staying away, but would love to use them if they are available/legal. Info or insights anyone?

Pass Mountain and Wind Cave are in Usery Park (and therefore still open I believe), however the Flatiron is in the Superstition Wilderness of Tonto Natl Forest and is definately closed. The first part of the Flatiron is in Lost Dutchman State Park, which may still be open (not sure).

Lizard

Even more unfortunate is Lost Dutchman Park is closed due to funds. Who knows when it will reopen?

According to the Zuma's this isn't anything new. I've only been hiking since 96ish so I wouldn't know. But it sounds like they close it during the slow season. Then when it can obviously turn a profit they reopen. Of course that's just my speculation.

Where will Jerry Maguire II be filmed, this is serious stuff

Guess they'll have to go to Mexico

I just heard they closed the Wind Cave Trail and the Pass Mountain Loop Trail (one of my favorites) due to the extreme fire conditions.

Diane's correct, I saw this on the news a few nights ago. It totally slipped my mind till she mentioned it.

I just hiked the wind cave trail on the 18th of July and again on the 20th. It's still open. Or at least I hope I'm hiking it this week on Monday and Tuesday. I'm working my self back up to the full Pass Mtn Trail. I did Pass Mtn last October, January, and February it's awseome everytime!

I live further east and like the Hackberry-Garden Valley Loop.

RAQUELUSMC0431 wrote:I just hiked the wind cave trail on the 18th of July and again on the 20th. It's still open. Or at least I hope

The closure was 7 years ago.

Holy-bring-back-a-thread-from-the-dead, batman!