Goat Camp / Mesquite Loop Photoset • PatrickL • 2024-05-09 • HikeArizona.COM

Goat Camp / Mesquite Loop, AZ

	2024-05-09
	5 by PatrickL

Goat Camp / Mesquite Loop

Phoenix, AZ

Goat Camp / Mesquite Loop

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking	13.56 Miles	2,260 AEG

Hiking	13.56 Miles	5 Hrs 4 Mns		2.74 mph
	2,260 ft AEG	7 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

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Park gates open automatically @ 5am for the summer. I pulled through the exit as someone left but it didn't really save me that much time. Started hiking just after 5am. Clockwise is the only way to do this old favorite - knock out Mule Deer and the climb on Goat Camp first, then enjoy the gradual decline of Mesquite for a couple hours. Had to keep the pace up to beat the heat on this bluebird day. Also packed extra, extra water and a jacket for extra weight.

It got super warm going up Goat Camp, no breeze at all during the steepest section. Only real break for the day was a few minutes on the ridge/Goat Camp mile 3. Smooth sailing along the final GC miles and down Mesquite. Pumpkin sweet and breezy. Good amount of people out closer to the trailhead - mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians. Saw about 10 whiptails per mile.

Good to be back on these trails. It's been a while!

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