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| Hiking | 10.60 Miles |
1,921 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.60 Miles | 8 Hrs 39 Mns | | 1.23 mph |
| 1,921 ft AEG | | 12.5 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | 28Nov2022 - Monday; My first real hike in the nearby White Tanks Maricopa County Park, a clockwise loop that includes approximately 1,900’ of accumulated elevation gain & 11 miles in length that begins & ends at the Mesquite Canyon/Waddell trail Trailhead, 1,542’ elevation (N33° 35.551' W112° 30.664’).
Numerous Panoramic photos are featured in this photoset.
0647 - Overcast skies, 2 liters of water/electrolyte, & a lightweight long sleeve Icebreaker Merino wool top was my base layer, which is all I needed all day. With my GPS compass calibrated & my backpack shouldered I began today’s real-life outdoor adventure into the boonies, a slight refreshing breeze & temperatures in the high 50º’s.
0651 - a mere 400’ along the Waddell trail & I arrive at the Waddell trail/Mesquite Canyon trail junction, I turn left (West) & start up the Mesquite Canyon trail. (see photos)
0718/1,863’; I start up a series of switchbacks, fence has been built at several to discourage shortcutting the switchbacks
0738/2,090’; I take photos of deer. So far I’ve only seen 4 other hikers. This trail is very well maintained.
0816/2,207’; I’m at the Willow Creek trail/sign, which goes to the right. I continue straight ahead on the Mesquite Canyon trail. (see photos)
0836/2,375’; I see & take photos of more deer. Beautiful scenery at each turn of the trail & the sun is now shinning.
0950/2,856’; I arrive at the Mesquite Canyon, Ford Canyon trail junction & turn right onto the Ford Canyon trail. (see photos). At this point I’ve hiked 4.3 miles & gained approximately 1,500’ in elevation. I wanted to get most of the elevation gain at the first part of my hike which is why I’m hiking clockwise up an average 6% grade. This would be a turn around point if you wanted to hike up & back down just the Mesquite Canyon trail.
From this point I’ll hike down a series of switchbacks down to 2,523’, pass the Ford Canyon/Willow Creek trail junction then hike up to 2,822’, a distance of 1.4 miles
1028/2,558’ - I arrive at the Ford Canyon/Willow Creek trail junction. (see photos)
1101/2,822’ I top out here, from here on the trail will be mostly downhill. (see photos)
1136/2,407’ - I’ve descended approx 420’,a distance of .7 miles & reached the Ford Canyon WASH. (see photos). The was is soft & sandy, you’ll be glad if you donned a pair of Dirty Girl Gaiters to keep sand out of you boots/shoes. Keep a sharp look out for trail posts & cairns for trail guidance if you’ve not downloaded a track of this hike into your GPS off hikearizona.com.
1236/2,254’ - I reached the Dam (see photos), a distance of .9 miles & descended approx 200’ in elevation while tromping in the soft sandy soil of this WASH.
1302/2,139’ - I reached the 4mile marker, a distance of .5miles down the WASH & descended approx 120’ in elevation. (see photo).
1307/2,112’ - a mere 5 minutes later is where I miss a trail sign off to the right & mistakenly continue down the wash. This an easy mistake, enter these co cords into your GPS (N33° 36.664' W112° 32.473’) they are the co ords of the trail signpost you want to look for, it will take you out of the WASH & up onto a narrow trail built into a vertical rock wall.
1337/2,054’ - Thanks to the track I downloaded off hikearizona.com I scramble out of the canyon & up onto the narrow trail some 40’ above me.
The narrow trail that was built along the vertical rock face is something you will well remember. It will be part of a hike you will eagerly look forward to hiking again.
1416/1,729’ - Down the narrow trail along the vertical rock wall, down to a normal trail & a warning sign, a distance of .8 miles.
1420/1,689’; Arrived at 3 mile marker. (see photos). I’m now hiking along a normal scenic trail.
1457/1,625’; Arrived at Ford Canyon/Waddell trail junction. Ford Canyon trail turns left, I continue straight ahead on the Waddell trail.
1527/1,532’; I arrive back at the trailhead/parking area, shed my back pack & head for the restrooms which are clean, fully stocked, indoor plumbing with flush toilets, real mirrors, ceramic fixtures & an electric blow dryer after washing my hands. |
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