South Mountain 620 Trail Loop • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Bursera Canyon

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LindaAnn

Linda wanted to check out the new alignment of the Gila Trail. It's currently pristine. Made my first descent on the Bursera Canyon trail. Steep but nice tread. Perfect temps and a scenic sliver moon after sunset.

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I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

2 archives

Mar 19 2024

johnlp

Guides 1
Routes 14
Photos 7,202
Triplogs 5,208

68 male

Joined Mar 16 2008
chandler,az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 19 2024
		johnlp • Triplogs 5,208

Hiking	10.61 Miles	2,542 AEG

Hiking	10.61 Miles	3 Hrs 27 Mns	3.15 mph
	2,542 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

no routes

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Clockwise starting up Bursera stopping at Goat Hill and descending Pyramid. Nice day.

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

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“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson

Jul 26 2023

pseudalpine

Guides 59
Routes 1,100
Photos 1,191
Triplogs 1,290

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 26 2023
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking	9.34 Miles	1,779 AEG

Hiking	9.34 Miles	3 Hrs 1 Min	3.28 mph
	1,779 ft AEG	10 Mns Break

no photosets

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Let's crack open that oven door and check to see if your cake is done! Stifling 101° start from Pyramid TH. Now we know why the Hohokam left this area.

This is kind of a weird standalone route, essentially just a simple Bursera-Gila loop. The strange loopdedoo at the east end is now defunct since the preserve has partially erased another unofficial connector trail. Instead of that silliness, we added on a fringe ridge on the western side just for poos and giggles.

1 archive

Mar 19 2023

johnlp

Guides 1
Routes 14
Photos 7,202
Triplogs 5,208

68 male

Joined Mar 16 2008
chandler,az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 19 2023
		johnlp • Triplogs 5,208

Hiking	12.03 Miles	3,055 AEG

Hiking	12.03 Miles	3 Hrs 48 Mns	3.22 mph
	3,055 ft AEG	4 Mns Break

no routes

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6 linked trail guides

Ranger Trail - South Mountain

Goat Hill via Ranger Trail

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Up Pyramid first in the hopes of seeing a nice sunrise, but not much happened.
Windy, especially on the National.
Wildflowers are still doing well.
Good day.

Wildflowers Observation Substantial

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“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson

Oct 23 2022

johnlp

Guides 1
Routes 14
Photos 7,202
Triplogs 5,208

68 male

Joined Mar 16 2008
chandler,az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Oct 23 2022
		johnlp • Triplogs 5,208

Hiking	10.61 Miles	2,542 AEG

Hiking	10.61 Miles	3 Hrs 37 Mns	3.00 mph
	2,542 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

no routes

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trekkin_gecko

We hiked the loop counterclockwise, starting up Pyramid. Clouds and a good breeze made for excellent hiking conditions. Didn't see too many other hikers. Good hike. Thanks Kelly.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Four O'clock Trailing

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“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson

Aug 01 2020

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 670
Photos 12,111
Triplogs 857

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Maricopa Trail - Guadalupe/South Mtn/Tres Rios

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 01 2020
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 857

Hiking	7.69 Miles	860 AEG

Hiking	7.69 Miles	3 Hrs 28 Mns	2.22 mph
	860 ft AEG

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Went to the west end of South Mountain Park to hike a few trail sections that I've missed over the years. The one segment I did doesn't seem to be an official trail. I hiked the spur from the Bursera Trail that heads westward and ends quickly at a subdivision that looks like is just finished getting built.

After I got back over the saddle towards San Juan Road, I noticed a trail spur that headed down to what looked like a defunct mining road of some sort. I followed that and took it all the way over to the 202. From there I headed northwest along the 202 until I hit the Maricopa Trail as it exits South Mt. Park. The last time I hiked this segment of the MT, the 202 was under construction and my friend Ted and I had to avoid the workers. things look a litte more normal now.

Headed back to the National Trail and then back to the car. Did a shorter hike this time with the heat and humidity. I was drenched within the first mile and felt drained by the time I was done.

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Mar 26 2016

astrobrewer

Guides 1
Routes 209
Photos 1,231
Triplogs 196

male

Joined Mar 14 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Gila Bursera Short loop, AZ

Hiking		Mar 26 2016
		astrobrewer • Triplogs 196

Hiking	3.81 Miles	729 AEG

Hiking	3.81 Miles	1 Hour 28 Mns	2.60 mph
	729 ft AEG

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Got a late afternoon start from the trailhead at the end of Chandler Blvd. Started heading toward The Lost Ranch, but exited the wash to the west to get on the Gila trail. The Gila trail makes a nice gradual ascent through a pretty valley north of Bursera trail toward the ridge at the west end of the canyon. Being late in the afternoon the trail was in shadow. When I got to the top the trail was back in the sun again. I stopped for a minute to enjoy the awesome view to the west, then turned left and headed up the short, steep trail that connects up near the high point of the Bursera trail. Took Bursera back down to the trailhead. Nice loop trail for when you don't have a lot of time.

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Feb 28 2015

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 840
Photos 22,055
Triplogs 1,993

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Vee Quiva, AZ

Hiking		Feb 28 2015
		chumley • Triplogs 1,993

Hiking	16.01 Miles	2,744 AEG

Hiking	16.01 Miles	4 Hrs 46 Mns	3.49 mph
	2,744 ft AEG	11 Mns Break

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Beverly Canyon Trail

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Miserable cold, wet, rainy day that no normal person would go outdoors. So I decided to hit the casino with my tax refund!

I thought it would be a longer trip but I cruised. Quick "summit" brew and threw a few $ on a new car. I didn't win

and had to settle with the easy bus ride home. Carried 2L and drank less than 1.

Note: First time HAZ trifecta: GPS track, photos, and triplog all created, edited, and posted from my phone. No other devices involved. :app:

Lost reception for a short stretch after goat I think. Phone doesn't let you preview triplog. For some reason uploading photos directly from phone strips metadata and I subsequently couldn't sync photos to track. Presumably an ios thing.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cag Shot

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Surprisingly little even on the west side.

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I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

Mar 29 2014

SpiderLegs

Guides 2
Routes 10
Photos 42
Triplogs 893

58 male

Joined Jul 12 2012
Oro Valley, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 29 2014
		SpiderLegs • Triplogs 893

Hiking

Hiking

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Tried to get on this trail via the Dusty Lane/Galveston trailhead. Greeted with a sign on Dusty Lane that said no access to South Mountain. Once on Galveston there was no evidence of a small parking lot and what appears to be a new shiny barbed wire fence cutting off any access. Could see the trail on the other side of the fence, but no way to get to it. All of the property around this area sported no trespassing signs, so got the impression the folks in the neighborhood don't want anyone getting into the park from here.

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See my pics on Instagram @tucsonexplorer

Mar 16 2014

Charger55

Guides 4
Photos 542
Triplogs 573

46 male

Joined Oct 19 2010
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 16 2014
		Charger55 • Triplogs 573

Hiking	11.00 Miles	1,150 AEG

Hiking	11.00 Miles	4 Hrs 30 Mns	2.44 mph
	1,150 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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_____________________

"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road"

Jul 16 2013

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 840
Photos 22,055
Triplogs 1,993

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 16 2013
		chumley • Triplogs 1,993

Hiking	5.80 Miles	1,400 AEG

Hiking	5.80 Miles	2 Hrs 3 Mns	2.83 mph
	1,400 ft AEG

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John9L

I had the rare occasion of having to convince 9L to not be lazy and get out there! (It usually works the other way around) Taking advantage of the cloudy skies and relatively cool temperatures, I decided to test out my lungs after a recent respiratory illness. Seemed to work reasonably well. A nice storm passed us to the east, and a shower threatened to our south as we got back to the car, but otherwise the weather cooperated, providing a cool breeze and a rainbow or two, but no rain or nearby lightning strikes. Nobody else out there tonight.

Started from the 17th Ave and Thunderhill storm drain access, which was a world better than the 19th Ave route, or the actual trail route west of there. Might begin from here on all future visits.

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I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

Jul 16 2013

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 183
Photos 5,612
Triplogs 1,647

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 16 2013
		John9L • Triplogs 1,647

Hiking	5.80 Miles	1,400 AEG

Hiking	5.80 Miles	2 Hrs 3 Mns	2.83 mph
	1,400 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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chumley

Good times at South Mountain. I plan on returning again to check out some of the other trails in the area. Lot's of good options out here.

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May 26 2013

mt98dew

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

55 male

Joined Oct 24 2010
Phoenix,Az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		May 26 2013
		mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387

Hiking	11.78 Miles	1,150 AEG

Hiking	11.78 Miles	3 Hrs 30 Mns	3.37 mph
	1,150 ft AEG

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Did this hike starting from the Estrella Ave. TH . When I got there one other car/hiker was utilizing this TH. I did this loop counterclockwise, taking a user tail that splits off from the National just before it crests the first saddle. I took this user trail to where it connected to the western tip of the Bursera. The climb was nice, especially since I was still in the morning shadows of the mountains. I was surprised by the number of hikers I met. I encountered 4 different parties as I was doing the Bursera and then I met them all again as they did their own version of the loop in the opposite direction. This made it seem busier than it really was. I was also surprised by the number of bikers that I saw as I did the western part of the National. I had not realized how popular Silent Sunday was for bikers and the back end of San Juan Rd. When I got back to the TH, there were two more cars parked along the side of the road. So this TH seems to get more use than I thought.

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Nov 24 2012

Randal_Schulhauser

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Mtn Biking		Nov 24 2012
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Mtn Biking	22.52 Miles	1,140 AEG

Mtn Biking	22.52 Miles	3 Hrs 6 Mns	7.26 mph
	1,140 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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7 linked trail guides

Telegraph Pass Trail - South Mountain

Desert Classic Trail

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Inspired by the history (and mystery) of Lost Ranch/Golden Standard Mine => http://sierraestrella.com/gsmine.html and http://southmountainhistory.blogspot.co ... ining.html I set off on a 20+ mile loop to put me over the 100+ mile mark for mountain biking this month. Can't recall the last time I racked up that many miles in a month (probably have to go back to those Moab hiking/mountain biking/wilderness vacations with the guys I grew up with)...

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Aug 16 2012

jochal

Guides 2
Routes 25
Photos 1,890
Triplogs 604

41 male

Joined Sep 13 2009
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 16 2012
		jochal • Triplogs 604

Hiking	7.90 Miles	1,600 AEG

Hiking	7.90 Miles
	1,600 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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Ranger Trail - South Mountain

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Took Bursera, but then continued down the valley a little bit on the jeep road. Hit a couple of old, almost completely faded metal signs that say keep out, so I turned right and took the trail that connects Bursera with National farther South than the official National/Bursera intersection. Returned on National/Bursera/Valley View(?...whatever the trail is in the valley below Bursera).

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Feb 20 2011

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 670
Photos 12,111
Triplogs 857

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Ranger Trail - South Mountain

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 20 2011
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 857

Hiking	11.70 Miles	2,800 AEG

Hiking	11.70 Miles	5 Hrs 30 Mns	2.13 mph
	2,800 ft AEG

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7 linked trail guides

Kiwanis Trail - South Mountain

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mt98dew

I got started at 6:45am after waiting for Brian for a little, thinking he changed his mind. Turns out he was just a little late and caught up with me not long after I started hiking.

We took the Mine Drop Trail up first, getting the most brutal climb out of the way early. From there we took the National Trail east to the Ranger Trail and descended towards San Juan Rd until we got to the Las Lomitas Loop and took that east to the Kiwanis Trail. At that junction I was getting hungry a little earlier than usual, so I took my lunch at the picnic ramadas there before we ascended the Kiwanis Trail. The Kiwanis Trail is really a nice trail with some nice views inside that canyon and of the rock wall dams. I missed the petroglyphs that are there somewhere.

Along the National Trail we got hit by the rain, wind and clouds. I thought Brian might be put off by some of this, but he responded by declaring that this was the most awesome hike he had ever done. The low hanging clouds made for some nice views and the wind made it interesting. At one point, we could see some clouds whizzing over a saddle from the canyon below, giving us an intuitive explanation of why it's always so windy at saddles.

As we descended the Gila View Trail, the wind picked up every time the switchbacks turned N to the edge of the canyon. At the bottom we took the big spur trail towards 5th Ave. and then turned back to the TH. Nice overall hike made more interesting by the weather.

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Feb 13 2011

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 670
Photos 12,111
Triplogs 857

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 13 2011
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 857

Hiking	10.40 Miles	2,700 AEG

Hiking	10.40 Miles	5 Hrs 45 Mns	1.81 mph
	2,700 ft AEG

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HAZ - Event

mt98dew

I met Brian at the end of Chandler Blvd and we got started at about 6:40am. We took the Ruins Trail up to the National, came down on the Lost Mine Trail, took the Valley Trail over to the Kebo Trail, and then took the National Trail over to the Mine Drop Trail and headed home.

The unnamed trail on the map on mikes hikes.net east of the the Kebo Trail does not exist. This looks to be a bushwhack route that someone took following the wash/drainage all the way to the National Trail. We opted to not do that and just took the Kebo Trail instead.

At the bottom of the Mine Drop Trail there is a horizontal mine shaft that goes back quite a ways. I put on my headlamp and headed in about 50-100' to where it made a right turn and continued up to another bend. Looks like it could be quite an exploration for braver souls.

Temps were cool in the morning and warmed up without getting hot by the time we finished. Looking to go back again soon and finish the Gila Trail and other spur trails along the flat area to the south.

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Dec 31 2010

Tortoise_Hiker

Guides 1
Routes 148
Photos 9,924
Triplogs 3,652

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 31 2010
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	11.54 Miles	2,125 AEG

Hiking	11.54 Miles	4 Hrs 29 Mns	2.57 mph
	2,125 ft AEG

no routes

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The_Eagle

Ahhh,
I got to sleep in today.Met Bruce for my last hike of the year at 7:00.We decided to check out the 620 trails on the southwest corner of South Mountain.We went in from the 51st ave side.Not really much parking.Maybe as much as Geronimo. We did the loop plus walked down the wash to see if we could tell were the trailhead is off Chandler blvd.The trail was ok and had some nice views from up top.There are a few side trails but Bruce keeped us on the right trail. Thanks for the invite Bruce. Good times as always.
Thanks to all the HAZers I had the pleasure of hiking with,meeting,or reading about this year.WOW,It was an awesome year of hiking and you all help make this site awesome as well.
Happy New Year to all of you!!!!

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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

Dec 31 2010

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,762

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 31 2010
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,762

Hiking	11.54 Miles	2,125 AEG

Hiking	11.54 Miles	4 Hrs 29 Mns	2.57 mph
	2,125 ft AEG

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Tortoise_Hiker

The Last hike of the year. Went out with my buddy the turtle to the far west side of South Mountain to try something new. We started at the intersection of Galveston and 43rd Ave. After a short jaunt through the neighborhood, a light bushwhack to the power line, to the jeep road, we were on one of the new trails. We took the southernmost trail east, which we were guessing is Trail 1 or "Gila View" as some are calling it. We took this to the other end to find the Eastern TH. There really isn't a TH, but if you enter the wash just West of the pavement and go North, you soon come across the Trail. On the way back we took Trail 2, or "The Bees Knees" as some are calling it. We also took a stop up the Lost Camp Loop to visit the Mystery Structure. It was then back on trail 2 heading back to where we began. There were some nice areas on the hike, but nothing real exciting. They company, as always, was great. Thanks to Denny again for joining me on this hike and all the other hikes we did this year...

To all I hiked with this year, and to all of the rest of you wild and crazy HAZ'ers, a safe, happy, prosperous, fun filled, HAPPY NEW YEAR

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

Dec 11 2010

JuanJaimeiii

Routes 596
Photos 9,604
Triplogs 2,400

58 male

Joined Jan 30 2011
Chandler, AZ