Maricopa Trail, New River Rd to I-17, Sunday May 1

[DarthStiller]

Trying to finish up this last new section of the Maricopa Trail before the next section get completed and officially mapped and announced. I’ve hiked and wrote a description of the MT from CCRA to New River Road. The next section is from New River Road to I-17. But the TH is right in the center of this section at what is labeled the “Anthem TH” (according to the map available on maricopa.gov . I’ll start at the Anthem TH and do out and back hikes to New River Road and then to I-17. Looks like the total distance should be a little over 13 miles. Hopefully the weather cooperates and doesn’t get too hot by this time.

Currently there are no hikes to link for this, but that may change once I scope out the area and do a writeup.

[kingsnake]

Does the trail go Daisy Mountain? If not, does not look much elevation gain. But I'm game anyway.

[DarthStiller]

Not sure if it goes to Daisy Mt. or not. i need to check the map.

EDIT

Looks like it stays south of Daisy Mt. and goes thru Anthem and Desert Hills. The eastern segment looks to have a little more potential and isn't right thru a development. Here's the link for the map:

http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/MaricopaT ... cross2.pdf

[kingsnake]

I see what happened: I went to http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/MaricopaTrail/ , but the link to the pdf is not underlined, so I was trying to read off that smeary map image.

Anyway, sound good to me. You got a time in mind, like maybe 6:00 a.m. to avoid the heat?

[DarthStiller]

@kingsnake
Normally I leave my house in Mesa at 5:30am. Getting up to the Anthem TH should take me about an hour, so I would say 6:30am. It shouldn't be too hot at that point, and the trail seems pretty level and easy. Let me know if you're ok with that.

[kingsnake]

I'm flexible ...

[kingsnake]

Sorry, but I am going to have to withdraw. Turns out there is a Aravaipa property owners meeting that same Sunday.

[DarthStiller]

As of today (Wed.), the forecast in that area is a high of 82, so it shouldn't the scorcher that some thought it might be.

[sshamu]

I'm new to this cite, however, given the fact that this hike is right outside my back door, I'm interested for sure. I frequently jog this section from the Anthem Trail Head to the I17 area (a lot of snakes seen here lately) as well as to the New River area. Its well traveled with horses and mountain bikes but still a good walk. I'm in Florence Saturday for the Warrior Dash so baring injury I will see you Sunday!

[DarthStiller]

@sshamu
Cool! I have another friend not on the site who says he's interested, so there could be up to four of us. See you Sunday morning in the 6:30-6:45am range.