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| Hiking | 3.60 Miles |
220 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.60 Miles | 2 Hrs 20 Mns | | 1.54 mph |
| 220 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | When I first heard of the Pipeline Canyon Trail I envisioned a trail on the west side of Lake Pleasant with great views across the large lake. Wrong. The trail never actually gets near the lake and there are only a couple instances where you get a distant glimpse of it. The real beauty of this hike is the seasonal wildflower explosion along the trail. Thus, spring is the best time to go.
The southern trailhead starts on a hilltop and begins a gradual descent into a shallow saguaro filled canyon. At about 1/2 mile the trail curves to the right and bottoms out at a bridge where you cross Pipeline Cove. Note, after heavy rains the bridge ends up under water and the trail is closed at this point. Park rangers informed us later in the day that the bridge was 6 feet under water only a week earlier. On this particular day, the ends of the bridge were knee deep below water. With a quick removal of shoes we crossed, re-laced up, and continued on.
A little past the bridge is a rest bench on your right. At this point look back over your shoulder for a good view of the lake. At about 1.5 miles, the trail juts left, drops into a wash, then exits right. As you leave the wash the lake and north trailhead area can be seen in front to you. At the north trailhead, turnaround and re-trace the 1.8 miles back to the beginning.
The trail is mostly level and very easy. Saw many people with cameras as the wildflowers were brilliant. |
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