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Ma Ha Tuak Trail - 22 members in 132 triplogs have rated this an average 2.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 7  Next
132 triplogs
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Jan 02 2026
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,284
 Triplogs 2,482

56 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Ma Ha Tuak TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 02 2026
mt98dewTriplogs 2,482
Hiking2.98 Miles 587 AEG
Hiking2.98 Miles   1 Hour   6 Mns   2.71 mph
587 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Morning hike at SoMo. Always try to make the first hike of the year the Ma Ha Tuak. Got to the TH around 8am to a mostly full parking lot. Did a loop going CCW. In on the Ma Ha Tuak to the Max Delta. Over to the Crosscut and then back on what was once the old TBone Trail (ironically, now called the Ma Ha Tuak Perimeter Trail. Beautiful morning. The desert smelled fantastic after the last few days of rain. Temps were great in the upper 50’s. No wildlife, but I heard coyotes in the distance. Encountered 6 hikers and 6 horseback riders. Nice way to start the year.
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228478
Dec 11 2025
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,284
 Triplogs 2,482

56 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Ma Ha Tuak TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 11 2025
mt98dewTriplogs 2,482
Hiking1.92 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking1.92 Miles
450 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
First time hiking with the wife in awhile. Did an abbreviated version of this hike. Went out on the old T-Bone Trail and then took what is now called the Crosscut up to the old Ma Ha Tauk alignment. We then took the Ma Ha Tauk back to the TH. Nice to be out with the wife. Temps were great. Air quality was horrible. A solid brown smear across the valley. Yuck! No wildlife. Encountered 9 other hikers.
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227994
Oct 20 2025
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,284
 Triplogs 2,482

56 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Ma Ha Tuak TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 20 2025
mt98dewTriplogs 2,482
Hiking3.12 Miles 532 AEG
Hiking3.12 Miles   1 Hour   26 Mns   2.18 mph
532 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Still taking it easy. Early morning hike at SoMo. Did an old favorite…the old alignment for the Ma Ha Tauk, and then looped it with Max Delta and the old T-bone trail. Saw two coyotes. Always a treat. There was some major erosion where the Max Delta crosses the road leading to the ramadas. Serenaded by what sounded like fireworks at the shooting range. Non stop. I would hate to live in that area.
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226753
Jul 09 2025
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,284
 Triplogs 2,482

56 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Ma Ha Tuak TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 09 2025
mt98dewTriplogs 2,482
Hiking4.27 Miles 739 AEG
Hiking4.27 Miles   1 Hour   12 Mns   3.56 mph
739 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Early morning hike at SoMo. Visited a sentimental favorite. Hiked the old alignment for the Ma Ha Tuak Trail. This is where I first started to earn my trail cred. :lol: Nice that they open the gates a little early at SoMo. I was able to get on the trail by 4:45. Followed the old alignment for the Ma Ha Tuak back to the Max Delta which I took back to the triangle, where it ends at the Bajada. Turn around and took the Max Delta to where it use to connect to the T-Bone Trail. Ironically, the T-Bone has been renamed the Ma Ha Tuak Perimeter which I took back to the TH. The names have changed, but the trails remain.

First time this year where it actually felt hot getting on the trail….and this was before 5am. Temps were reportedly in the low 90’s. As I hiked a breeze picked up, which seemed to make a big difference. Encountered 6 hikers on the trail and amazingly enough, my first rattlesnake of the year. The guy blended right in. I was by him before I realized it.
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224604
Mar 19 2025
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 Guides 94
 Routes 848
 Photos 22,720
 Triplogs 2,039

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
North South Loop, AZ 
North South Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 19 2025
chumleyTriplogs 2,039
Hiking9.68 Miles 2,015 AEG
Hiking9.68 Miles   3 Hrs   30 Mns   2.78 mph
2,015 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 no routes
In all my life I had not previously found the desire to walk the MHT perimeter trail. I was pleasantly surprised to start, but interest did wane a bit at the west end, which seems to be true for a few other trails in this preserve.

A trail that is not true for is Alta, which stays spicy all the way to the end, and is actually a quite enjoyable track the whole length. I didn't drop down to its eastern terminus today though, staying on the ridgeline all the way to a juicy steak back to the start.

It was a pleasant temperature and the visibility was outstanding. I passed 8 other hikers in total, which is definitely a change from my normal experiences on the south South range.
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I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
 
222103
Jan 01 2025
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,284
 Triplogs 2,482

56 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Ma Ha Tuak TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 01 2025
mt98dewTriplogs 2,482
Hiking3.08 Miles 525 AEG
Hiking3.08 Miles   1 Hour   2 Mns   2.98 mph
525 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Late night led to a late hike. First hike of the year always starts with Ma Ha Tuak. Got to the Ma Ha Tuak TH around noon. I was surprised and lucky to get one of two parking spots left. Seems like a lot of people were out on the trails with New Year resolutions. :lol: I did the Tuak following its old alignment. I took it to where it ended with the Max Delta and and took the Delta to the old T Bone alignment and then back to the TH to close the loop. Funny, with the exception of the Max Delta, these trails don’t exist anymore except in my memory. Another year has past. I must be getting old. :lol:

Nice temps, but air quality was horrible! Encountered 1 biker and 23 hikers. Saw another coyote. Possibly the same coyote I saw last week when doing the MX Delta. Odd. This coyote actually followed me for a short distance. Maybe .1 miles. That doesn’t seem like a lot, but it was pretty busy out there and he followed me up to a ramada in use. I never thought about it, but last nights fireworks couldn’t have been a picnic for any of the Parks wildlife.
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220153
Mar 31 2024
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 Guides 1
 Photos 2,019
 Triplogs 137

47 male
 Joined Feb 13 2006
 Phoenix, AZ
Ma Ha Tuak TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 31 2024
david_allen_3Triplogs 137
Hiking1.20 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking1.20 Miles
450 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Found small water hole and watched quail and squirrel find water and coyote find quail and then me. Good times.
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Wherever you go there you are.
 
214381
Mar 25 2024
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 Guides 72
 Routes 1,186
 Photos 1,493
 Triplogs 1,543

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Alta - Ma Ha Tauk Figure 8, AZ 
Alta - Ma Ha Tauk Figure 8, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 25 2024
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,543
Hiking15.46 Miles 2,756 AEG
Hiking15.46 Miles   4 Hrs   45 Mns   3.30 mph
2,756 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I sort of underestimated this loop and hiked until dusk... But still didn't miss dinner. :) The Ma Ha Tauk Perimeter was more hilly and challenging than I'd remembered. It's very similar to Bajada (better isolated trail) and the Desert Classic (not as good as either). For me, Alta including Maricopa Peak is the second best route in SoMo after MLC because of the lack of mountain biker hoards. National near San Juan Lookout had some trail reworked, essentially redirected out of the ditches, which was needed. The Alta and Ma Ha Tauk trails have been rerouted or relabeled some, respectively. The new parking area is open, I think labeled as San Juan Bike Hub. Surprisingly nice temperature and breezes for late March, but the wildflowers in this area aren't as prolific as last spring.
  11 archives
214188
Feb 21 2024
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 Guides 42
 Routes 1,767
 Photos 15,433
 Triplogs 2,894

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Hau Pal-Alta-Ma HaTuak loop, AZ 
Hau Pal-Alta-Ma HaTuak loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 21 2024
The_EagleTriplogs 2,894
Hiking9.48 Miles 2,394 AEG
Hiking9.48 Miles   3 Hrs   38 Mns   2.61 mph
2,394 ft AEG2 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I was sorta in the area and thought I'd try something new. I almost changed my mind in the parking lot when I parked next to the remnants of someones shattered window.

I was following a Track that @LindaAnn had done. I went CW to get the climb out of the way early and only passed a handful of hikers on the way up. The climb up was steep enough to keep my heels off the ground for quite a bit towards the top.

The ridgeline was quite enjoyable. Good views, refreshing breezes, birds chirping and a smattering of poppies.

I saw my first hiker since the climb at the San Juan Lookout TH. The Ma Ha Tauk Perimeter Trail did drag on in places, but not too bad. The clouds thickened making the remainder of the hike comfortable.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
  1 archive
213319
Feb 04 2024
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,284
 Triplogs 2,482

56 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Ma Ha Tuak TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Feb 04 2024
mt98dewTriplogs 2,482
Run/Jog4.24 Miles 680 AEG
Run/Jog4.24 Miles      56 Mns   4.54 mph
680 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Midday hike at SoMo. Did a loop involving the old Ma Ha Tauk. Went in on what was formerly known as the TBone Trail and took that over to the Max Delta trail. Took the Max out to the Bajada and then returned to what is now known as the Crosscut. This use to be where the old Ma Ha Tauk ended. Took this back to the TH. Nice weather. Very clear weather. Decent number of people out. Encountered 24 hikers, 2 bikers and 1 runner.
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  1 archive
212920
Jan 02 2024
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,284
 Triplogs 2,482

56 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Ma Ha Tuak TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 02 2024
mt98dewTriplogs 2,482
Hiking3.12 Miles 560 AEG
Hiking3.12 Miles   1 Hour   10 Mns   2.67 mph
560 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Early morning hike at SoMo. This is where it started for me (first hike), so I always try to make this the first hike of the year. I had planned on doing this yesterday, but the air quality was so bad I decided to push it for a day. Got on the trail just before 7am. The sun was just starting to light the horizon, providing more than enough light to see the trail. Though the names have changed, the trail remains the same. Went in on what is now as the Hau’ Pal. Then connected to the Crosscut which I took over to the Max Delta. I was looking for a shorter hike so I took the Max Delta north and connected to what is now called the Ma Ha Tauk Perimeter trail (this was formerly known as the T-Bone trail). Took the Ma Ha back to the TH. Only met 4 hikers on the loop. Weather was a little chilly. Air quality much better than yesterday. On the way back on the Ma Ha Tauk I was serenaded by two coyotes as I walked past. Cool!
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  1 archive
212131
Nov 04 2023
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 Guides 10
 Routes 700
 Photos 7,591
 Triplogs 4,837

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Maricopa PeakPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 04 2023
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,837
Hiking10.32 Miles 2,293 AEG
Hiking10.32 Miles   3 Hrs   48 Mns   2.87 mph
2,293 ft AEG      12 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
met john at ranger trailhead at 0630, since san juan road wasn't open
south mountain park website indicated that it should have been but maybe it hasn't been since the triangle destruction
the new parking area will be pretty nice
the main objective was maricopa peak
ranger and bajada to alta, which has been rerouted from the new parking area
checked out some mines along alta
up the use trail to maricopa peak
found the benchmark once, but couldn't find it today
there is a brand new summit register on the peak
heading down, we considered the over and back, deciding against it given the extra credit
on the return, we continued on the ridgeline to star peak
down the old warrior trail aka t-bone aka hau'pal loop
connector trail to max delta and back to ranger
double digits and a different combo
breakfast burritos at carolina's after
good times, thanks john :)
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hazhole
 
210602
Nov 04 2023
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 Guides 1
 Routes 15
 Photos 7,285
 Triplogs 5,261

68 male
 Joined Mar 16 2008
 chandler,az
Maricopa PeakPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 04 2023
johnlpTriplogs 5,261
Hiking10.32 Miles 2,293 AEG
Hiking10.32 Miles   3 Hrs   48 Mns   2.87 mph
2,293 ft AEG      12 Mns Break
 no routes
Alta trail to Maricopa Peak was our main objective for the day. We had to start from the Ranger trail since there was nowhere to park at the triangle and San Juan was falsely advertised as open.
Instead of an over and back we decided to hit Star Peak then descend via the "new" Warrior trail which is now named Hua'Pal.
We took the Connecter trail from the Hua'Pal loop to the Max Delta then made our way back to the Ranger trail which we started from.
Interesting hike on some new trails for me. Thanks Kelly! :)
_____________________
“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
 
210610
Oct 24 2023
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,284
 Triplogs 2,482

56 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Ma Ha Tuak TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 24 2023
mt98dewTriplogs 2,482
Hiking4.75 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking4.75 Miles   1 Hour   12 Mns   3.96 mph
450 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Early morning hike at SoMo. Glad this trail is still listed in HAZ, even though it no longer exists as routed. 15ish years ago, this is the trail that got me into hiking. I try to revisit it on a regular basis and amazingly I haven’t hiked it this year.

Got to the TH around 6:30. I had a couple of hikers heading up just before I started, so I decided to the loop in reverse. Started on what was known as the T-Bone, now part of the Ma Ha Tauk Perimeter trail. Three years ago this route changed around the ramada, but it has been “set” since. Took the Max Delta briefly, and then hoping to get more distance, I turned onto the Crosscut and then onto the Ranger. Took the Ranger up to to where it connects to the Bajada. Then took the Bajada over to where it intersects the back end of the Max Delta. (This occurs where the new TH is being built at the former “triangle”. I was not surprised to discover that the Park has rerouted the Alta trail. Looks like the Alta trail now begins at this new TH). Took the Max Delta north to where the Crosscut (formerly Ma Ha Tauk) starts and then took that back to the TH. Nice loop, though I was surprised that going out to the Ranger only added about .3 miles to my usual route. Weather was great! Encountered 5 hikers and 2 trail runners. Saw a road runner :) .
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210297
Jun 17 2023
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 Guides 72
 Routes 1,186
 Photos 1,493
 Triplogs 1,543

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
T-Bone Loop Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 17 2023
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,543
Hiking6.04 Miles 1,423 AEG
Hiking6.04 Miles   1 Hour   53 Mns   3.29 mph
1,423 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
no photosets
apparently this member prefers to keep an air of mystery...
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
  1 archive
207355
Apr 15 2023
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 Guides 1
 Photos 2,019
 Triplogs 137

47 male
 Joined Feb 13 2006
 Phoenix, AZ
Ma Ha Tuak TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 15 2023
david_allen_3Triplogs 137
Hiking1.20 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking1.20 Miles
450 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Very nice evening on South Mtn. Grass has dried out but the Creosote shrubs and Palo Verde trees very green still. Saw what appears to be a small light tower just above the trail high point as well as just above the T-bone Trail :| . Saw a man posing for a drone next to the tower. It's my understanding these tend to be private network communication towers for crypto currency. ](*,). Update: As of 4/16 appears towers may be gone.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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Wherever you go there you are.
  2 archives
205695
Dec 18 2022
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 Routes 195
 Photos 7,436
 Triplogs 1,832

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
Mad Max Road Warrior Loop, AZ 
Mad Max Road Warrior Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 18 2022
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,832
Hiking5.00 Miles 1,444 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles   3 Hrs   4 Mns   2.16 mph
1,444 ft AEG      45 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 
Partners partners
Gallydoll
Christmas hike with the harem, Christina, Yolanda, and Jan. Bit chilly to start and overcast skies kept it cool all morning.
_____________________
 
201716
Nov 02 2022
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 Guides 72
 Routes 1,186
 Photos 1,493
 Triplogs 1,543

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Las Lomitas Trail - South MountainPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 02 2022
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,543
Hiking4.41 Miles 461 AEG
Hiking4.41 Miles   1 Hour   13 Mns   3.62 mph
461 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
apparently this member prefers to keep an air of mystery...
  1 archive
202816
Oct 15 2022
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 Guides 72
 Routes 1,186
 Photos 1,493
 Triplogs 1,543

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Ma Ha Tuak TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 15 2022
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,543
Hiking2.86 Miles 588 AEG
Hiking2.86 Miles      47 Mns   3.65 mph
588 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
apparently this member prefers to keep an air of mystery...
  1 archive
202662
Jan 31 2022
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 Guides 72
 Routes 1,186
 Photos 1,493
 Triplogs 1,543

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
SoMo Freestyle, AZ 
SoMo Freestyle, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 31 2022
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,543
Hiking10.57 Miles 2,911 AEG
Hiking10.57 Miles   3 Hrs   25 Mns   3.25 mph
2,911 ft AEG      10 Mns Break
 
no photosets
Nice ridgeline route. Ticks two of the three SoMo mountain ranges. Completed sub 4h starting near the Ranger TH. I again forgot to restart GPS tracking after our summit beers, so my route is ~3¼ miles short. :(
  3 archives
202656
average hiking speed 2.65 mph
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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