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| Hiking | 8.64 Miles |
277 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.64 Miles | 2 Hrs 48 Mns | | 3.09 mph |
| 277 ft AEG | | | | |
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| Partners |
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none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Our garage door got bashed on Tuesday, so instead of hiking on Wednesday, my normal day, I waited for the repair guy. I could have gone out later on Wednesday, but afternoon temps are already peaking into the 90s.
Heading south from Sun Valley TH, the trail is wide, straight and flat. The primary vegetation is creosote, whose flowers were fading.
After a mile, the trail diverts around a RC plane airport. I was disappointed no one was flying. The airport’s shade, shelter, picnic tables and outhouse would make a good stealth camping spot. (I saw a “Smile: Your image was just captured and xmitted to the Maricopa County Sheriff” sign, but no camera or related commo gear.)
To the west, the antenna farm atop Goldwater Peak was obvious. I’ve never been up there, though I have hiked Ford Canyon several times. The White Tank Mountains just don’t have a lot of trails. It would be nice if they put a couple of trailheads on the west side of the range. Today, at least, the mountains were also hard to photograph. It was quite windy, so maybe there was too much dust in the air. 
Saguaros start appearing about 1½ miles south of the RC plane airport. (That sounds kind of awkward, but I can’t find a name for it like “Sky Harbor”.) About halfway into the hike, there is a cowbell hanging over the Maricopa Trail. The breeze was heavy enough to rattle it.
Just short of five miles south of Sun Valley Trailhead, at a jeep trail intersection, the Maricopa Trail bends sharply right along the bank of a wash.
The Maricopa Trail begins climbing ever so slightly. (The total accumulated elevation gain for the first five miles? 55 ft.) At 5½ miles, the trail reaches a combo gate, which marks the boundary of White Tank Mountain Regional Park. Just past the gate, turn left onto Mule Deer Trail. 
Mule Deer Trail crosses to the wash’s opposite bank and begins switchbacking up a small hill, gaining 100 ft. in ⅔ mile. Though I was hiking, the climb is just within my MTB wheelhouse. Despite not being very prominent, the top of the climb has a surprisingly good panoramic view of the metro area.
The day had so far been pleasant, but it was starting to heat up on the final stretch of Mule Deer Trail. There were a few more mountain bikers on it, and quite a few older hikers. The only other terrestrial creatures I spotted, besides lizards were a lone cow, and a captive desert tortoise at the White Tank Library / visitors’ center.
After finishing my hike, my shuttle driving wife & I meandered back to the Loop 303. Despite all the new developments in Surprise, there were ZERO gas stations or fast food drive-thrus on four miles of Olive Ave. or at the 303 / Peoria Ave. intersection. I had to wait until I was nearly home to get lunch and an ice cold soft drink! 
Hike Video: https://vimeo.com/697862371 |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Nothing the first five miles south from Sun Valley Pkwy. (Unless you count creosote, which are fading, and palo verde, which are peaking.) Final 2½ miles, saw one small cluster of small Mexican gold poppy, one each blooming teddy bear cholla, strawberry hedgehog and cactus apple. |
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| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
