Ford Canyon Trail - White Tank Mountains Photoset • mt98dew • 2025-01-24 • HikeArizona.COM

Ford Canyon Trail - White Tank Mountains, AZ

	2025-01-24
	8 by mt98dew

Ford Canyon Trail - White Tank Mountains

Phoenix, AZ

Ford Canyon Trail - White Tank Mountains

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking	12.74 Miles	2,141 AEG

Hiking	12.74 Miles	4 Hrs 22 Mns	2.92 mph
	2,141 ft AEG

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Early morning hike in the White Tank Mountains. Got there a little before 6, so I had to wait for the gates to open. Did a loop involving Mesquite and Ford. Parked at the Ford Canyon TH, but opted to take Mesquite up in the dark. I feel that I do Mesquite so frequently, I wasn’t going to miss anything and of the two trails, it is the smoother climb. Almost beat the sun to the top. Actually, I wouldn’t have minded if it had caught up to me a bit quicker. A bit chilly at the top, but luckily, it wasn’t windy today.

Ford Canyon is a fun hike. It has it all, as far as trail conditions go. The first 1.5 miles (from the Mesquite/Goat Camp juncture) is your typical rocky, single track. The trail drops down from the Mesquite, crosses a wash and then proceeds to climb the northwest slope at a moderate rate. Reaching the top of the saddle is the midway mark. You’ve come about 6 miles and you have 6 more to go. (There is a carsonite marker at this spot indicating that). Noteworthy spot, because if you are going clockwise, you are done climbing.

Pretty much flat or downhill from here. Noticed at this marker there was a use trail heading north along the ridge of the hill. I followed it for several yards and it looked like it got fainter, but continued. I didn’t want to get distracted so I “put it in my pocket” for later follow up. Descending from the saddle brings you to the wash. I had forgotten how fun and annoying hiking the wash was. Hiking through the white boulders is a treat. Nothing to taxing. (Fun). I quickly got sand in my shoes, but decided to hike with it until I got out of the wash. (Annoying). The wash lasted for about 1 mile. Couldn’t believe how many trail signs there were with arrows pointing down the wash. There were easily 20 in that stretch. Getting out of the wash brings you to a rocky descent. This section doesn’t last long, but it is fairly aggressive in its elevation change. The last three miles of the Ford Canyon are a fairly flat, smooth speedway. Very similar to what you find on the Mule Deer or Waddell Trails. Nice way to wrap up the hike.

I didn’t make as good of time as I would have liked. Kind of felt like a train wreck in the wash and during the rocky descent: kicking rocks, not stepping on rocks squarely. Annoying. Not sure if it’s old age, fatigue or just the roughness of the trail, but I felt that I should be able to negotiate it more smoothly. Weather was nice, though a little chilly when not in the sun. Encountered 10 hikers and 2 bikers. Wildlife included 3 deer.

I had just gotten back to my car when I overheard 3 bikers talking at the Ford Canyon TH and mention the Bagel Bunch. Not sure if Nightstalker was among them, but I can’t believe there would be more than one Bagel Bunch in the valley.

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