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Pass Mountain Ridgeline
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mini location map2024-04-03
42 by photographer avatarMike_W
photographer avatar
page 1   2   3
 
Pass Mountain RidgelinePhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking4.74 Miles 1,335 AEG
Hiking4.74 Miles   3 Hrs   10 Mns   1.50 mph
1,335 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
NOTE: This was a hike to Pass Mountain high point (elevation 3312)

Great trail except for one or two confusing parts that I missed.

After hiking about 1.5 miles up toward Pass mountain from Usery pass, you will see the start of some rocky cliffs. At this point, there's a trail going left and a trail going right.

NOTE: At the time I didn't realize this but the correct way to proceed is to climb UP!

I explored the trail going left, it wrapped around the cliff side, and it seemed to dead end and there wasn't a good way to get up because it got rather brushy and there were cliffs. I then took the trail going to the right. It went a long way and followed the cliff face. The GPS route that I was following showed the track as being 50-100 feet East of where I was but at the time I figured it was just GPS error. After hiking roughly 0.5 miles from the junction, the trail I was on seemed to fade. I knew I had to go up at this point, so I just went up from this point toward the high point above me. It wasn't a cliff here, but probably Class 2+ hiking. After continuing up, I reached the top of the ridgeline and within a few minutes I saw what looked like a trinchera. In the entrance of the trinchera were 2 sticks forming a cross. Somewhere in this area I found a trail that continued along the ridgeline and to the summit.

At the summit, there were some nice views all the way around. I searched very thoroughly but did not find a registry of any kind. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring an empty jar to start a new one although I had 2 jars in my truck for this purpose. I took the same trail down thinking that I would find a better route down. The trail was maintained well, it continued along the high ridgeline and eventually took me to a cairn on the edge of a rocky area. When I looked down, I saw the trail that I came up about 30 feet below me. I then realized, this was the area that I missed earlier. The climb down was all class 2+. I just took my time and weaved my way down to get down below the rock formation. From this point, I took the same trail down that I took up.

While on the way down, I met another hiker who said he was going to the Wind Cave area. I told him that I lost the trail and which way I went but made it to the summit anymore. He asked if I saw the grave site. I didn't know anything about a grave site but he said the rock enclosure which looked like a trinchera was really someone's dog that was buried there. That rock structure could have fooled me. He said it was recent and wasn't there a year ago.

Near the bottom, I saw a few rabbits jumping around off the side of the trail. I went back to my truck and had enough time to stop by BK to get a $3 whopper. The sun was setting so I decided to head back to my campsite which was 1.4 miles East of Usery Pass in Bulldog canyon. I had a few snacks, got some night photos, and checked my messages. I only had 1 bar out there but it was a good enough signal to do some basic messaging. I slept good that night.

Stats:
-------
Distance (round trip) = 4.74 miles
AEG = 1,335 feet
Strava moving time = 2 hrs 26 mins
Strava elapsed time = 3 hrs 43 mins
_____________________
Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us
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