| |
| Sugarloaf Peterson Loop, AZ | |
|
| | Sugarloaf Peterson Loop, AZ | | | |
|
|
Sugarloaf Peterson Loop, AZ
| | |
|
| Hiking | 7.00 Miles |
2,093 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.00 Miles | 4 Hrs 20 Mns | | 1.95 mph |
| 2,093 ft AEG | 45 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | I first looped these trails in 2005 and knew I would need to come back to bag Sugarloaf Mountain. In the time since then, HAZ, Google Earth and Panoramio show a spring that isn't on my TOPO! or Spur Cross Ranch maps, conveniently placed for an off trail loop.
I arrived at 6:30 am and had the parking lot to myself, heading out on Spur Cross (Maricopa Trail) up Cave Creek in the chilly darkness. The sky began to lighten as I reached the corral and turned on the TR 252 (Limestone Trail), reaching Limestone Spring just as the sun peeked over the horizon. 
I left the trail from that point and followed a soft ridge up Sugarloaf, the recent heavy rains made the soil soft and as the angle increased it seemed like every 3rd rock shifted or broke loose under my hands and feet. There was little real exposure but a mini landslide on steep terrain was definitely a concern.
I arrived on top, checking out the southeastern tip of the ridge summit before heading to the two (?) summit cairns, where I found no register, but great views of the surrounding area. From there I headed northwest, where I cliffed out at the end of the ridge. Backtracking a few yards allowed a down climb to the north that wasn't too bad, and I continued down the slope in the direction of Black Mesa. Knowing the hard part was over, I found a nice backrest and copped a seat, enjoying the silence and basking in the view. 
After munching a White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Clif Bar, I checked my GPS, heading west down the drainage toward Peterson Spring, where I found a galvanized trough and feeder, as well a nice shady oasis with small pools of crystal water.
Just like on Google Earth, I found a faint cairned trail leading south from just below the spring and headed out, discovering my first Saguaro boot and crossing paths with a tarantula that liked to play Freeze. The views of Elephant Mountain were great from this angle, and I enjoyed the faint trail while it lasted. After reaching the TR 252, the trail turned into a highway and I saw the first hikers of the day. 2 miles and 50 hikers later, I was at my truck, happy for the perfect weather and a perfect loop. |
  |
Peterson Spring - New River |
Dripping |
Dripping |
| | | About a dozen pools of 1-3 gallons. Galvanized bathtub-style trough had about 20 gallons as well. Concrete trough was empty. | | _____________________
The past, the present, and the future walked into a bar.
It was tense. |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
