Maxine Lakin Nature Trail • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		May 04 2025
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking

Hiking

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

1 archive

Aug 29 2023

Guides 69
Routes 37
Photos 3,010
Triplogs 2,387

55 male

Joined Oct 24 2010
Phoenix,Az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 29 2023
		mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387

Hiking	3.26 Miles	110 AEG

Hiking	3.26 Miles	1 Hour 12 Mns	2.72 mph
	110 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Short, after work hike. It’s been awhile since I visited Maxine so thought I would check on her and see how she was doing. The trail hasn’t changed much. Maybe a little more brown than usual (what trail isn’t) and she has “new” (to me) decals on her trail posts, but otherwise she is pretty much the same. Started from the TH just north of the police station. I took the Christiansen trail that goes along the base of North Mountain to connect to the Maxine. When I got to the Maxine, I actually took it west to where it begins at the park. Just wanted to remind myself, that this park, is indeed where both the Maxine and Christiansen trails officially start. From here, I turned around and did the Maxine in a CCW direction. After climbing a steep hill, there is a user trail that goes up the west side of North Mountain. I took this trail up and touched the fence surrounding the towers and then returned down the same trail. (There are two other user trails that take off from the Maxine that meet with the one I used today on their way to the top). When I got back on the Maxine, I finished the loop and then returned back to the TH. The heat was more annoying than usual. Very little wind. No wildlife. I didn’t see anyone until I got back to the TH and then I saw two individuals heading off toward Shaw Butte.

_____________________

Jun 20 2020

Guides 69
Routes 37
Photos 3,010
Triplogs 2,387

55 male

Joined Oct 24 2010
Phoenix,Az

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Jun 20 2020
		mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387

Run/Jog	4.40 Miles	110 AEG

Run/Jog	4.40 Miles	57 Mns	4.63 mph
	110 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

After work hike. Started from the 7th ave TH, near police station. Went CCW, first following the berm that parallels the road until it connects to the Christiansen. (I always have to remind myself that the Christiansen starts from the park...it always seems to be more of a transient camp, so I never utilize the parking/trails that originate from there). Took the Christiansen over to where it joins with the Maxine and continued in a CCW direction. Maxine is a pretty short loop, so after finishing it I continued north on the Christiansen. I didn't quite make it to the NE parking lot for Shaw Butte before connecting to the Shaw Butte trail 360 and taking that south back to the TH. All was in the basin with little elevation change. Encountered 1 hikers and 2 trail runners. No wildlife. Always rough getting started, but I felt ok once I got going. Stats don't reflect that

Oh well.

Side note: Maxine is not much to write about, but there are several user trails that lead from it up the back side of North mountain. There is a new user trail (taking off from the southern portion of Maxine). Looks like it is getting a lot of use....I think it ties in to another more established trail higher up.

_____________________

Jun 02 2018

Guides 2
Routes 10
Photos 42
Triplogs 893

58 male

Joined Jul 12 2012
Oro Valley, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jun 02 2018
		SpiderLegs • Triplogs 893

Hiking	7.20 Miles	1,771 AEG

Hiking	7.20 Miles	1 Hour 50 Mns	3.93 mph
	1,771 ft AEG

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Another stop on my goodbye tour of local Phoenix trails that more than likely I may not return to. Got my start in trail running, hiking and peak bagging from the 7th Avenue trailhead almost 20 years ago. Back then it was the closest trail to my old house near MetroCenter. I've always enjoyed this loop so gave it one last whirl.

Started at the 7th Avenue trailhead and headed down to the south dam, then up the backside of North Mountain. Wanted to do my usual loop where I drop down the front side of North Mountain and catch Trail #101. But once on the top of North Mountain you are greeted with a large fence, flags and no trespassing signs blocking you from doing this. So just turned around, went down the way I went up and hit Trail #100. Took Trail #100 through the valley and headed up the front side of Shaw Butte. From there went down the backside with a short excursion to the smaller peak on the western edge.

Still tweaking a new workout routine where you make your slow, easy runs super slow and super easy and make your hard workouts really hard. This meant walking up all of the climbs in order to keep my breathing and heart rate lower. See how this works at the end of the summer.

_____________________

See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer

Apr 14 2018

Guides 2
Routes 10
Photos 42
Triplogs 893

58 male

Joined Jul 12 2012
Oro Valley, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Apr 14 2018
		SpiderLegs • Triplogs 893

Run/Jog	2.55 Miles	837 AEG

Run/Jog	2.55 Miles	45 Mns	3.40 mph
	837 ft AEG

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Started off wanting to do a North Mountain-Shaw Butte loop, but switched plans once on top of the summit. With the construction on the front side of North Mountain, the route on the backside (western side) starting from 7th Avenue appears to be getting more attention. In my almost 20 years of doing this trail on and off this is the most defined I've seen the trails. In the past if you weren't paying attention it was easy to get off track for a few yards, now that's impossible.

Once I made it to the summit my plans about dropping down to catch #101 and head over were thwarted by the big fence across the trail with big no trespassing signs warning you to stay away from the main trail on the frontside. So I turned around and went back down the backside. Had to give directions to a few people that were new to the pleasures of going up the western slope, so the closure on the front side is having an impact.

_____________________

See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer

Feb 28 2018

Guides 69
Routes 37
Photos 3,010
Triplogs 2,387

55 male

Joined Oct 24 2010
Phoenix,Az

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Feb 28 2018
		mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387

Run/Jog	5.12 Miles	110 AEG

Run/Jog	5.12 Miles
	110 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Funny, how if you don't hike/run for a month how these city trails can set you back. Feeling a little sore from my run yesterday, I dragged myself out to the Maxine Larkin. Not much of a trail but I thought it was in my current doable range. Parked neat the police station and did a counter clockwise loop. First starting with the Maxine and then taking the Chistiansen out towards the north parking lot for Shaw Butte and then circled back on the lower part of the Shaw Butte Trail. Little elevation change; pretty much stayed within the basin. Still, it was a nice follow up from yesterday's. So Mo hike.

_____________________

Feb 11 2018

Guides 2
Routes 10
Photos 42
Triplogs 893

58 male

Joined Jul 12 2012
Oro Valley, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Feb 11 2018
		SpiderLegs • Triplogs 893

Run/Jog	10.60 Miles	1,060 AEG

Run/Jog	10.60 Miles	2 Hrs	5.30 mph
	1,060 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Pointe Tapatio Golf Course Loop #1

Lookout Mountain Connector #25

Partners

none

no partners

For anyone that likes good Chicago pizza, go to Spinatos on 7th Street, however don't go there the night before you go out for a long run or hike. The pizza was pretty tasty last night with a couple of beer's from Flagstaff's Mother Road Brewery. But it made for an uncomfortable run this morning, took almost an hour before I felt halfway decent. Left from the trailhead on 7th Avenue and headed down to the lower dam and up the Central Avenue climb to skirt the midsection of North Mountain. Then circled back around to catch Trail 100, took that over to Trail 101 up to the social trail along 7th Street and caught Trail 100 just before the tunnel. There is a sign on Trail 101 stating that the main trail on the east side of North Mountain is closed for construction.

Headed under the tunnel at 7th Street and kept going to Cave Creek, the new trail work along 100 is quite apparent. The section from the top of the saddle down to Cave Creek is the smoothest I've ever seen in the 15+ years I've been hiking or running that trail. What used to be a short technical section is now an easy jaunt. Headed up to the Golf Course Loop over to Trail 25, back to 100 to 306 and back to my car with a few little extra loops and zig zags to hit the two hour mark.

Just bought an Osprey Duro 1.5 liter running vest and it's quickly turning into one of my favorite packs. Little bit heavier than my Nathan vest, but it doesn't bounce around as much and fits a lot better. Could be a contender for my next pack to do a Grand Canyon run/hike.

_____________________

See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer

Jan 04 2018

Guides 2
Routes 10
Photos 42
Triplogs 893

58 male

Joined Jul 12 2012
Oro Valley, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Jan 04 2018
		SpiderLegs • Triplogs 893

Run/Jog	4.10 Miles	881 AEG

Run/Jog	4.10 Miles	50 Mns	4.92 mph
	881 ft AEG

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Nice afternoon for a run. Put a new spin on this run and started from the visitor's center parking lot, then down Trail 100 to the lower dam. Headed up the grade from there and over to the turnoff to the backside of North Mountain. Went up and over the mountain to Trail 101 and then took the bandit trail along 7th Street back to my car.

_____________________

See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer

Dec 07 2017

Guides 2
Routes 10
Photos 42
Triplogs 893

58 male

Joined Jul 12 2012
Oro Valley, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Dec 07 2017
		SpiderLegs • Triplogs 893

Run/Jog	4.90 Miles	494 AEG

Run/Jog	4.90 Miles	1 Hour	4.90 mph
	494 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

The plan for the day was a super easy hour long run in the preserve. Showed up to the 7th Avenue trailhead and noticed a park ranger trolling up and down the parking area. Got out of my car and noticed what he was looking at. Some idiot on a quad was zooming up and down Trail 100. The guy finally came across the dam over by the parking lot and the ranger nabbed him. Guy had no helmet and had his 18 month old daughter on his lap with no helmet, no driver's license and no plates or tags on the quad. Oh the joys of Sunnyslope trailheads. I have seen the weirdest stuff here over the years.

After that excitement I did my counterclockwise loop up #60 where the turn off to the backside of North Mountain is. Came back down to #100 over to #101, hopped on the bandit trail along 7th Street to the visitors center and over to #306 for the return leg. Other than a few moments of gusty winds, it was a perfect day for a run.

_____________________

See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer

Sep 23 2017

Guides 2
Routes 10
Photos 42
Triplogs 893

58 male

Joined Jul 12 2012
Oro Valley, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Sep 23 2017
		SpiderLegs • Triplogs 893

Run/Jog	8.40 Miles	2,100 AEG

Run/Jog	8.40 Miles	1 Hour 50 Mns	4.58 mph
	2,100 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Ran the flats and downhills, power hiked the climbs. Needed an easy way to get some AEG before breakfast without heading out of town.

_____________________

See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer

Sep 21 2017

Guides 2
Routes 10
Photos 42
Triplogs 893

58 male

Joined Jul 12 2012
Oro Valley, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Sep 21 2017
		SpiderLegs • Triplogs 893

Run/Jog	6.30 Miles	1,625 AEG

Run/Jog	6.30 Miles	1 Hour 16 Mns	4.97 mph
	1,625 ft AEG

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Perfect fall weather for hiking and running is here. Trying to get prepped for a GC trip and need some additional AEG during the week. Went counterclockwise and hit the backside of North Mountain first. Then down the frontside, over to #101 and up the front of Shaw Butte.

They've done a great deal of trail work since the last time I've been on Shaw Butte. I've never seen the frontside look so good, it's like a super highway now. No more ruts, pot holes and the entire road is somewhat level. Backside is the same story, they've filled in a lot of the trail. Only downside is that they filled in quite a bit of it with gravel, so had to take it easy to keep from sliding around.

_____________________

See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer

Aug 02 2017

Guides 2
Routes 10
Photos 42
Triplogs 893

58 male

Joined Jul 12 2012
Oro Valley, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Aug 02 2017
		SpiderLegs • Triplogs 893

Run/Jog	3.60 Miles	860 AEG

Run/Jog	3.60 Miles	45 Mns	4.80 mph
	860 ft AEG

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Usually keep most workouts hidden but couple of new things on this loop. The climb near the southernmost dam on Trail #60 is washed out from all the rain this summer. Couple of small gullies on the trail and loose rock abounds. Plus there is a new trail going up the backside of North Mountain. It makes the trail a bit longer and little less steep, but intersects with the old trail about a quarter of the way in. Appears to be professionally done, so guessing the park put in this new trail.

Also saw a sign that they would be doing work on top of Shaw Butte, but hiking would still be allowed. Working on some of the antennas on top of Shaw Butte.

_____________________

See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer

Jul 22 2017

Guides 2
Routes 10
Photos 42
Triplogs 893

58 male

Joined Jul 12 2012
Oro Valley, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Jul 22 2017
		SpiderLegs • Triplogs 893

Run/Jog	7.00 Miles	1,220 AEG

Run/Jog	7.00 Miles	1 Hour 29 Mns	4.72 mph
	1,220 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Hot, humid meander through North Mountain preserve. Started out on the 7th Avenue trailhead and went south to the lower dam. Went up Trail #60 and looped back around to #100. Took #100 over to #101 then cut across the 7th Street bandit trail over to the visitors center. From there up and over Shaw Butte and back down the backside to my car.

Had flashbacks to how things used to be at the park 15 years ago. Stumbled across 3 different bum's nests along the way, all of them on the south side of the park near the lower dam.

_____________________

See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer

Jul 04 2017

Guides 2
Routes 10
Photos 42
Triplogs 893

58 male

Joined Jul 12 2012
Oro Valley, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 04 2017
		SpiderLegs • Triplogs 893

Hiking	3.20 Miles	781 AEG

Hiking	3.20 Miles	1 Hour 24 Mns	2.29 mph
	781 ft AEG

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

Barrett

We both had plans for the day, so decided to meet in the middle of our respective parts of town for a quick hike. Did a simple loop starting from 7th Avenue, went up the backside of North Mountain and timed it just right to see the sunrise from the top of the peak. Went down the front side, hopped on #101 to loop back to trail #100 and took that back to our cars. Did see a nice, well fed rattlesnake cruising up alongside the paved portion of #44. Despite the crowds of people on #44, this snake didn't seem to care and just kept moving along.

Looks like someone re-did the trail on the backside of North Mountain since the last time I was on it.

Last but not least, the North Mountain owl is still there. We saw it flying around. First time I saw it was a few years ago and I always enjoy bumping into it. Looks like the owl from Rush's "Fly By Night" album cover.

_____________________

See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer

Jan 09 2017

Hippy

Guides 8
Routes 12
Photos 1,918
Triplogs 662

39 female

Joined Dec 02 2009
Grand Canyon

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 09 2017
		Hippy • Triplogs 662

Hiking	6.50 Miles	1,850 AEG

Hiking	6.50 Miles	2 Hrs 40 Mns	2.44 mph
	1,850 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Borrowed sisters car and headed out at the buttcrack of dawn to hike N Mtn.

Checked HAZ for directions and saw this North-Shaw loop so said ah heck why not.

Started at 7th Ave the headed for North via maxine and a use trail...Tons of wildlife out at 6am!!

((Sitting in the parking lot eating breakfast as I type this now, lots of human life out around 9am... ))

Took North National down to the 7th st lot then headed for Shaw Butte.

The views from Shaw Butte were agreeable this morning with sunrise blinding me on my way up and back to the car.

Spotted 3 coyotes off to one side as I neared the Parking lot, strange they'd be so close to the Parking lot unless they're trash diggers?
Haven't been out this way in years! Felt great especially after I over did it a few days ago in White Tank.
Considering taking a peak at Squaw before lunch today... We shall see.

_____________________

Canyon Freak Adventures!

Jan 04 2017

Guides 69
Routes 37
Photos 3,010
Triplogs 2,387

55 male

Joined Oct 24 2010
Phoenix,Az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 04 2017
		mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387

Hiking	2.77 Miles	110 AEG

Hiking	2.77 Miles	1 Hour 27 Mns	1.91 mph
	110 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Combo Maxine Larkin and North Mountain loop. Started down from the police station on 7th Ave. My thought was to hug the North Mountain and keep making left hand turns until I connected with the Maxine Larkin. It had been awhile since I'd been on the Maxine Trail and I made a left hand turn too early and ended up climbing the back side of North Mountain. I had done this once before, several years ago, but I can't recall if this was the route I took. As I approached the top I noticed other trails converging with mine, meaning there were several ways of coming up the back side. From the peak I headed south for a short ways to connect to a well established user trail that I took west and south. About 2/3 of the way down the trail splits at a ridgeline. One cuts to the north a reaches the Maxine more quickly. The other stays on the ridge for a time, heading south, before descending to the Maxine. I chose the later option, since it had been awhile since I had taken that route. This brought me to the Maxine as well. I took the higher portion of the Maxine north to finish my loop. Even though the Maxine Larkin is nothing special, it turned out to be a nice loop involving the back end of North Mountain. As expected with the beautiful weather, trails were busy. Especially at the top of North Mountain. Wildlife included quail, chipmunks and three rabbits.

_____________________

Dec 19 2016

The_Dude

Guides 1
Routes 136
Photos 1,367
Triplogs 364

47 male

Joined Jun 10 2011
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 19 2016
		The_Dude • Triplogs 364

Hiking	6.35 Miles	1,606 AEG

Hiking	6.35 Miles
	1,606 ft AEG	1 Hour 58 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

no photosets

Linked

linked

Shaw Butte - Western Route

Partners

none

no partners

Time for the close to home favorite when I don't have time for a bigger hike. Good afternoon loop, got to see the Shaw Butte Xmas tree too.

_____________________

Aug 23 2016

afrankie

Routes 39
Photos 353
Triplogs 128

37 male

Joined Sep 30 2015
Carrboro, NC

Maxine Lakin to Shaw Butte, AZ

Hiking		Aug 23 2016
		afrankie • Triplogs 128

Hiking	1.68 Miles	494 AEG

Hiking	1.68 Miles	36 Mns	3.05 mph
	494 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Quick post-work attempt for fresh air - I arrived just before sunset and caught the golden hour of hiking. I ran the first incline, which tired me quick so I didn't need much time out there to clear my head and exhaust my lungs

With that said it's been a while since I was on this trail and I only had running shoes in the car - although there aren't large boulders are rocks to climb, the surface is choppy as hell and my boots would have made mowing over it much less effortful. Dusk is when the desert comes alive and it felt it tonight.

_____________________

Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.
Evan Hardin

Footloose adventures are documented instagram @afrankie8.

Jun 14 2016

The_Dude

Guides 1
Routes 136
Photos 1,367
Triplogs 364

47 male

Joined Jun 10 2011
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jun 14 2016
		The_Dude • Triplogs 364

Hiking	6.42 Miles	1,639 AEG

Hiking	6.42 Miles	2 Hrs 1 Min		3.21 mph
	1,639 ft AEG	1 Min Break	10 LBS Pack

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

I had not done this hike since early last year, and I needed to get home a little early so this was the one. Started off from the 7th ave and Peoria trailhead about 4:30. I always like going up the spur ridge just south of Shaw Butte and then connecting with the road from there. There are now social trails almost the whole way, seems that more people are going this way now too. I tagged the mini peak with the towers and headed up to the tallest Shaw Butte towers, I wanted to make sure and make it all the way to the top so Chumley wouldn't call me out for missing the true peak of another mountain again... :roll:

I had seen only one hiker to this point, but passed a bunch heading down the east side of Shaw Butte, and then up the paved section of North. Came down the backside of the #44 trail which is probably my favorite part of this loop. Temps were hot but not excruciating. Not much life out there right now, even the Creosote are pretty browned up. I really hope that this upcoming week of 110+ can bring a decent monsoon season.

_____________________

Mar 06 2016

black_toes

Guides 4
Routes 51
Photos 1,545
Triplogs 348

86 male

Joined Sep 24 2004
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 06 2016
		black_toes • Triplogs 348

Hiking	2.25 Miles	232 AEG

Hiking	2.25 Miles	1 Hour 25 Mns	2.25 mph
	232 ft AEG	25 Mns Break

Linked

linked