|
| | | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 17.97 Miles |
445 AEG |
| | Hiking | 17.97 Miles | 6 Hrs 16 Mns | | 2.87 mph |
| 445 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | At the beginning of 2021, I set out to hike the entire 240-mile Maricopa Trail. Before today, I had completed only 26 miles. Needing to up my game, I decided I would do one segment per month over the winter.
I’m not sure what the official Maricopa Trail segments are, but for me the 4th segment is from the Daisy Mountain F.D., in Anthem, 8⅓ miles to the Bob Bentley TH, on Carefree Highway. And my 5th segment is from Bob Bentley TH 10⅓ miles to the Agua Fria Trailhead, at Lake Pleasant.
I started hiking west from the Daisy Mountain F.D. at 7:20 a.m. The first two miles have low desert shrubbery; the third mile along Deadman Wash is more woodsy. There was lots of traffic on the roads, but no people or horses on the trail.
Crossing under Gavilan Peak Pkwy, tall folks may need to duck.
On the west side of I-17, the trail “climbs” 30 ft., then crosses an old burn area along Deadman Wash as it approaches the FCI Phoenix road. If you hear shooting that is the Ben Avery Shooting Range to your left, not a prison break to your right.
Just before seven miles, I turned west on a unnumbered jeep trail crossing Biscuit Flat. If, instead, you continue south, the Bob Bentley TH is in 1⅓ miles (completing my 4th segment). The next two miles are a water and fibre optic right-of-way, with many pipes, pumps and manholes. There were signs indicating the Maricopa Trail was against the fence on the right, but I don’t think anyone ever used that part, as it is all grassed over. I mean, why bother, when the jeep trail is perfectly serviceable?
Just past the CEMEX quarry, the jeep trail takes a jog to the right, then crosses the dry New River flood plain. In a ½ mile, the jeep trail turns north, following the power line. Normally, there are plenty of trail signs, but this bit was confusing. Instead, continue straight onto single track. Note that neither the jeep trail turning north, nor the power line along it, show up on sat view, which tends to lag reality by about three years.
After "climbing" 30 ft. out of the New River bottom, the trail turns north, becoming bluff edge jeep trail. Again, there was trail trail a few yards away, but why bother? Especially when several rubber tramps had parked their ratty RVs / mobile meth labs across it? 
Mind the small jumping cholla grove when the trail nears a second quarry.
After crossing New River Rd., just short of 13 miles, the Maricopa Trail passes under two sets of 500 kV power lines. One set was loudly crackling, the other I could not hear. Wonder why? Good thing I already reproduced!
Where New Waddell Dam becomes visible, the trail descends 200 ft. in a ½ mile into a wash -- the only real elevation shange in 16 miles. The wash was my favorite par of the day, as it was isolated & quiet. No sounds of rushing vehicles or buzzing planes. (Of which there are always many around Lake Pleasant.)
At 15 miles, near the Hank Raymond Lodge, the trail climbs out of the wash, winds around a canal, then follows Sunset Point Rd. to the Agua Fria Trailhead.
I had stubbed my toe pretty good descending to the wash, and I definitely had blisters, so I was happy to finish the third longest hike since I took up this hobby!
Hike Video: https://vimeo.com/655934027 |
|
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
A few bursage here and there. That's it. Basically, non-descript. |
|
| _____________________
| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
