Mesquite Canyon - Waddell - Ford Canyon Loop Photoset • gummo • 2026-02-01 • HikeArizona.COM

Mesquite Canyon - Waddell - Ford Canyon Loop, AZ

	2026-02-01
	12 by gummo

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Mesquite Canyon - Waddell - Ford Canyon Loop

Phoenix, AZ

Mesquite Canyon - Waddell - Ford Canyon Loop

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking	12.38 Miles	3,140 AEG

Hiking	12.38 Miles	5 Hrs 29 Mns	2.29 mph
	3,140 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

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I did this loop last year. This year was a bit different. I started at the pond and went counterclockwise. I got lost toward the dam by not seeing the turn off, which slowed me down.

Compared to last year, there were more birds, a lot more butterflies, and more lizards this year. There were fewer people out also this time around. A lot of red admiral butterflies and queen butterflies were out. I checked out the pond and saw a plethora of lowland leopard frogs. I didn't know they were active in winter. The only negative was that the trail was rockier and rougher than last year. I stumbled a lot when I tried to pick up the pace.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Common side-blotched lizard European Starling House Finch Lesser Goldfinch Lowland Leopard Frog Queen Butterfly Red Admiral Butterfly Sage Thrasher

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