Pedersen Trail - Estrella Mtn RP Photoset • mt98dew • 2024-04-01 • HikeArizona.COM

Pedersen Trail - Estrella Mtn RP, AZ

	2024-04-01
	6 by mt98dew

Pedersen Trail - Estrella Mtn RP

Phoenix, AZ

Pedersen Trail - Estrella Mtn RP

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking	15.34 Miles	852 AEG

Hiking	15.34 Miles	4 Hrs 27 Mns	3.45 mph
	852 ft AEG

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When it comes to the Pedersen, it’s all about the timing. Not only did we get a decent amount of rain yesterday, but the temps were cool and the skies overcast today. This was the perfect formula to tackle the dreaded sand trap, known as the Pedersen Trail. Didn’t get out to the TH until 11am. Started from the Coldwater Trail and took the connector/Butterfield Trail over to the Toothacher. Hiked the Toothacher to where the Pedersen starts. This first part of the Pedersen is actually pretty nice. A single track with some minor elevation change due to washes that initially cuts through some hills before twisting through the flatlands. This ends when the Pedersen junctures with the Gadsden. From the here, the single track becomes a road and goes straight - and I do mean straight - south. However, the annoyance that one feels at hiking a straight, unimaginative road is soon looked back at fondly when one turns east and heads up a straight and very sandy road. This sandy section last for about 1.5 miles and to put it nicely is a real killjoy. This is where the timing comes in. The previous night’s rain made for a fantastic sandy surface. Probably the best tread I’ve had on this section.

Around 5.5 miles the Pedersen connects to the backend of the Homestead Trail. This is nice because it also signifies the transition from a road back to a broad single track. Having hiked a road for the last 3.5 miles it’s a good feeling to be back on a trail. The trail crosses a major wash and then passes through what I think of as the “cholla patch”. The chollas seem to be everywhere for the next .5 miles. The trail stays relatively close to the base of the Estrellas, never getting into the mountain, but playing off some of the mild slopes that come off the mountain. The elevation of the trail gives you a decent view of the flat terrain to the west. For about the next 3 miles the trail does a lot of twisting and turning as it heads north and eventually ends when to junctures with the Gadsden Trail. From here, I headed west for a short distance and then took the Coldwater Trail back to the TH.

Weather was ideal. Very cloudy at first, it ended being scattered clouds when I finished. Even though the skies were blue above me, I did get sprinkled on by cloud 3 miles away. Got love the wind.

wildlife was minimal, though I did have a Monty Python moment. I was hiking up the sandy road when I saw a rabbit charging towards me.

As soon as I saw this fearsome creature I stopped. The rabbit, which had started off being a good 40yds up the road, passed within 2 feet of me.

I’m grateful that the rabbit took pity on me, though I may have nightmares. I probably won’t be able to watch the MP Holy Grail for the next month. Met 2 hikers on the Coldwater as I neared the TH.

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