Lone Mountain 2809 - E J Peak • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Peak 2972 - Usery Mountains

Lance's Trail - Hawes

Cactus Nectar Trail - Hawes

Iron Goat - Hawes

Goat Trail - Hawes

Alp d'Huez Trail - Hawes

Partners

none

no partners

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

First hike of 2025. Our last hike was 8 weeks ago. We all agreed on no bushwacking, so this was a good choice. Did EJ Peak first, was smooth and pleasant, with good views of the Supersitions, Goldfields, Four Peaks, and Salt River. There were 3 people at the peak, saw no others. We descended back to the trailhead, crossed the street, and encountered at least 8 bikes on Lance's Trail in the first half mile. After we exited to Cactus Nectar trail, there were no bikes for the next 1.5 miles, and only 2 bikes total. The last quarter mile to the peak was steep with loose gravel, which slowed us down a bit. We went to the middle (main) peak, and enjoyed the beautiful views. Then we looped back on Alpe D'Huez trail, and encountered at least 10 more bikes along the way.

Beautiful day, perfect weather, great views, almost no other hikers, and about 15-20 bikes, with the constant gunfire providing our soundtrack. Gotta remain vigilant for bikes on Alpe D'Huez trail. The other parallel trails have far fewer bikes. All of the trails were exceptionally well maintained except for the last quarter mile to Usery Peak, where we all slipped a few times on the descent.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Mount McDowell (Red Mountain) Usery Mountain

5 archives

Dec 31 2024

Guides 2
Routes 267
Photos 9,816
Triplogs 402

62 male

Joined Dec 02 2014
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 31 2024
		adilling • Triplogs 402

Hiking	1.16 Miles	754 AEG

Hiking	1.16 Miles	36 Mns	2.11 mph
	754 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

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

My last hike of 2024. A quick sunrise hike up my favorite hill for an easy workout with great views. I started in the dark and made it up pretty fast (for me, at least). I was hoping for a vibrant sunrise, but the lack of clouds and the hazy conditions presented a different reality.

I had the place to myself the entire time, except for one fellow came up before the sun cleared the mountains and turned right around. I waited for Mr Sun to make an appearance and then headed back down.

2024 was overall pretty good for me and the family. A few issues here and there, but overall, I am going into 2025 feeling optimistic and looking forward to brighter days. I wish all of you a healthy and prosperous New Year.

_____________________

"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling

Apr 25 2024

rayhuston

Guides 1
Routes 448
Photos 4,407
Triplogs 939

68 male

Joined Mar 09 2012
Gilbert, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 25 2024
		rayhuston • Triplogs 939

Hiking	2.40 Miles	757 AEG

Hiking	2.40 Miles	57 Mns	2.62 mph
	757 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Nice hike to the top of the little peak. I didn’t see any other hikers until I reached the top. A couple was waiting for the sunset. I passed another couple on my way down.

Gorgeous afternoon/evening. A little on the hazy side. No sneks today.

_____________________

Apr 23 2024

Guides 2
Routes 267
Photos 9,816
Triplogs 402

62 male

Joined Dec 02 2014
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 23 2024
		adilling • Triplogs 402

Hiking	1.25 Miles	760 AEG

Hiking	1.25 Miles	49 Mns	1.60 mph
	760 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

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

A full moon this time of year rises over the Superstitions and I figured I would test out my ankle and head out to catch a sunset and then the moonrise from this cool little hike. The temps were a little hot starting out, but the angle of the sun limited the AZ roasting.

My ankle repair in progress was feeling it a little going up, but I just slowed it down and took it easy. I came across one hiker heading down and a couple of others passed me up right near the top.

No clouds to speak of so I was not expecting a super-sunset, but as usual, the orange glow from all of our particulates still managed to bring some colors on the western horizon. Once the sun set, I turned around and waited for the moon to peak over the Supes.

I have mastered many forms of photography, but taking pictures of the moon is not one of them (yet). I did manage to get a few shot of the moon over Weavers Needle and that was good enough for me. A couple more groups made it to the top and started down. After the "Moon Show" ended, I packed up and started down.

I used my headlamp going down, but that was more to lookout for critters. The light of the moon was bright enough to see most things. I have come across rattlers, gila monsters and tarantulas on this trail in the past in the dark. None of those made an appearance, but I did see a little snake and I almost stepped on a toad before it hopped off.

I am pleased with my healing progress and my achilles feels fine today. I will be back doing the harder ones soon. This is one of my favorite hikes. Short, scenic, some nice aeg gains, close to my house.

Until the next time, Lone Mountain!

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Red Spotted Toad Variable Ground Snake

_____________________

"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling

Apr 02 2024

Mike_W

Guides 104
Routes 256
Photos 16,118
Triplogs 528

53 male

Joined Dec 30 2005
Tucson, AZ

Peak 2972 - Usery Mountains

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 02 2024
		Mike_W • Triplogs 528

Hiking	2.86 Miles	735 AEG

Hiking	2.86 Miles	1 Hour 20 Mns	2.15 mph
	735 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

I started this relatively short hike around 4 pm and knew I had plenty of time to finish. After taking the main road for a short distance, I turned left onto an unmarked trail which led me to the top of this peak. This trail was very well maintained. Along the way, I saw some nice hedgehog cactus with pretty pink flowers.

At the top, there was an old bench with the peak name and elevation engraved, and also an ammo box with a registry and several other items. I signed the registry and a woman by the name of Wilma summited shortly after me. She was from Lithuania and we had a nice conversation. She asked about hiking in Tucson and I told her all the best places for first timer's - Mt Lemmon/Summerhaven, Sabino Canyon, Madera Canyon, Tanque Verde Falls, etc.

Stats:
--------
Total Distance = 2.86 miles
AEG = 735 feet
Strava moving time = 1 hr 16 mins
Strava elapsed time = 2 hrs 24 mins

_____________________

Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us

Mar 24 2024

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 670
Photos 12,111
Triplogs 857

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Peak 2972 - Usery Mountains

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 24 2024
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 857

Hiking	8.63 Miles	2,072 AEG

Hiking	8.63 Miles	3 Hrs 44 Mns	2.33 mph
	2,072 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

Linked

6 linked trail guides

Lance's Trail - Hawes

Alp d'Huez Trail - Hawes

Iron Goat - Hawes

Goat Trail - Hawes

Cactus Nectar Trail - Hawes

Partners

none

no partners

I didn't actually make it all the way up to Peak 2972, just the peak north of it, which is a little lower. From the Ellsworth Road ATV TH, I took Lance/Alp d'Huez/Goat up to that peak, then headed down Iron Goat and Cactus Nectar. Once back at the TH, I did a quick climb up to EJ Peak and headed back down. Got done fairly quickly and got nearly 2100' AEG in for the morning.

Cool and breezy early on. It started to rain on my down Iron Goat and Cactus Nectar and stopped by the time I was back at the TH. The sun came out on the way up to EJ, then another storm started to roll in on my way down, which provided a lot of cloud cover that cooled it off again. Back at the TH, hail started to fall for about 5 minutes and then quit. Overall the weather was perfect. The mix of the sun and clouds gave some really nice and dramatic scenery all morning.

_____________________

Feb 18 2024

cw50must

Guides 11
Routes 2
Photos 3,776
Triplogs 334

48 male

Joined Jun 09 2009
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 18 2024
		cw50must • Triplogs 334

Hiking	2.00 Miles	800 AEG

Hiking	2.00 Miles
	800 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Nice day for a hike. With the popularity of the new trails at hawes, the Bulldog lot gets full. We got there about 8:30 and had to park on side of the road across from the lot. Passed a few people coming in and a few more on the way out. The views from the top were good, everything is green from the recent rains. Signed the log book and headed down.

_____________________

Jan 06 2024

Guides 2
Routes 267
Photos 9,816
Triplogs 402

62 male

Joined Dec 02 2014
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 06 2024
		adilling • Triplogs 402

Hiking	2.00 Miles	800 AEG

Hiking	2.00 Miles
	800 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

A quick sunrise hike to my favorite little mountain/hill. I started up in the dark and it was cold! Well, cold for this desert-dweller, at least. I had my headlamp on, but didn't need it as the glaring lights from the shooting range illuminated the entire mountain all the way up.

I made it up in 35 minutes, not my fastest time, but not my slowest either. I had a bunch of camera gear and my larger thermos full of coffee (NOT a pink Stanley, btw). The cloudless skies were what I expected, but I know AZ always provides some pre-dawn colors. Must be all that dust blowing around?

I had the place to myself for most of my stay. A solo hiker came up right after the sun cleared the mountain and headed back down. I came across him on the way down as he was doing a 2x hike. I met a group of lady hikers as I was heading down. Other than that, it was a nice peaceful and solitary sunrise.

I really like this hike. It's close to my house, offers some good cardio exercise and has 360 views. I got my photos and exercise in and made it home to start working on the never-ending HoneyDo list that my lovely wife has been curating for almost 20 years now.

_____________________

"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling

Sep 24 2023

Guides 2
Routes 267
Photos 9,816
Triplogs 402

62 male

Joined Dec 02 2014
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Sep 24 2023
		adilling • Triplogs 402

Hiking	2.37 Miles	777 AEG

Hiking	2.37 Miles	1 Hour 50 Mns	1.76 mph
	777 ft AEG	29 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

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

I needed a test on my newly repaired knee and this was an easy choice to make. It’s always nice to visit this little peak/mountain/hill.

I did ok going up and it was a little slower going down, but I believe the arthroscope to smooth/remove the torn cartilage was a success. No more odd pain.

No clouds, so the sunrise was very mild, but great light right before and after the sunrise.

I saw a couple up top when I arrived and a couple of young ladies were hiking up right behind me on the way up and down.

I am ready to get back to my regularly scheduled tormenting aka hiking.

_____________________

"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling

1 archive

Sep 04 2023

ddgrunning

Guides 3
Routes 633
Photos 8,249
Triplogs 605

54 male

Joined Apr 13 2011
Gilbert, AZ

Lone Mountain Wind Cave, AZ

Hiking		Sep 04 2023
		ddgrunning • Triplogs 605

Hiking	5.77 Miles	1,634 AEG

Hiking	5.77 Miles	2 Hrs 47 Mns	2.12 mph
	1,634 ft AEG	4 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

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

Got up early to to a quick hike up Lone Mountain. After we finished, we decided it was too quick, and we wanted more! So, we drove down the street to the Wind Cave TH and added that on as well. Still managed to get up and almost all the way back down before the sun peeked over Pass Mountain. Didn't see anyone on Lone Mountain. Wind Cave was its usual, popular self. Happy Labor Day!

_____________________

Mar 07 2023

Guides 2
Routes 267
Photos 9,816
Triplogs 402

62 male

Joined Dec 02 2014
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 07 2023
		adilling • Triplogs 402

Hiking	2.00 Miles	800 AEG

Hiking	2.00 Miles
	800 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

My original plan was to hike up the Wind Cave Trail to catch a sunset, but the parking at the trailhead was packed and I could see the hoards of hikers moving up and down, so I changed plans and drove over to the Lone Mountain Trailhead up Usery Pass. Lots of people there too, but most were bikers/campers and as I started up, I saw nobody until near the top.

This hike is a great for multiple reasons. One, it's less than 20 minutes from my house. Two, it's very scenic - the views up top are great. And, three, it's a nice little workout packed into a short, well defined trail.

I came across one hiker and her dog going down while I was going up and three "Rastafarian disciples" with their cool labradoodle doggo made it up when I was exploring the top. I had the place to myself for the sunset.

Lots of poppies dotted the trail for most of the way up. I can see sprouts on the brittle bush and some of the cholla as well. I think the next couple weeks will start a flower explosion.

The clouds looked promising, but it was a subtle sunset. The golden hour from this peak is nice at sunrise and sunset. The late day light on the Superstitions and Goldfields was pretty wonderful.

I left my headlamp in the truck, but with the nearby shooting range glaring with lights and the moon rising halfway down, I did not need to use my phone to illuminate the trail.

Another excellent hike & sunset from this cool little hill.

_____________________

"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling

Feb 10 2023

AZLOT69

Guides 177
Routes 249
Photos 10,213
Triplogs 2,215

74 male

Joined Feb 12 2002
Gold Canyon, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 10 2023
		AZLOT69 • Triplogs 2,215

Hiking	2.50 Miles	800 AEG

Hiking	2.50 Miles
	800 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Windy day, but perfect temp’s had the place to ourselves. Short but fun .

_____________________

It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain

Jan 30 2023

Tortoise_Hiker

Guides 1
Routes 148
Photos 9,928
Triplogs 3,655

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 30 2023
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,655

Hiking	2.61 Miles	786 AEG

Hiking	2.61 Miles	1 Hour 21 Mns	1.98 mph
	786 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

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

Great weather!! Hit both Peaks.Trail in normal shape. Slippery in spots on way down. Two sheriff in vests were approaching an RV a little ways inside gate as I was leaving.

_____________________

Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

Dec 30 2022

jochal

Guides 2
Routes 25
Photos 1,890
Triplogs 604

41 male

Joined Sep 13 2009
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 30 2022
		jochal • Triplogs 604

Hiking	2.00 Miles	800 AEG

Hiking	2.00 Miles
	800 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

_____________________

Dec 06 2022

Guides 2
Routes 267
Photos 9,816
Triplogs 402

62 male

Joined Dec 02 2014
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 06 2022
		adilling • Triplogs 402

Hiking	1.23 Miles	766 AEG

Hiking	1.23 Miles	38 Mns	1.99 mph
	766 ft AEG	1 Min Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

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

Getting back into regular hiking and Lone Mountain is always a good place to work on building up stamina and getting in some views.

My #2 son and I hiked up and took a look around. The clouds looked nice, but there seemed to be too many near the horizon, so we opted to hike back down before the sunset, thinking it would be a dud. No other hikers on the mountain until we got near the bottom.

As we got back to the truck, I could tell the sunset was going to really nice. So, we drove down Usery Pass Road and caught it there.

Another nice visit to this cool little peak.

_____________________

"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling

Aug 14 2022

LindaAnn

Guides 110
Routes 2,248
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,602

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Pass Mountain Loop Trail #282

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 14 2022
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,602

Hiking	10.02 Miles	2,628 AEG

Hiking	10.02 Miles	4 Hrs 51 Mns	2.39 mph
	2,628 ft AEG	39 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

	chumley	johnlp
	trekkin_gecko

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

Got started at 0500 from the west Bulldog parking area. Headed south on the Maricopa Trail, using a light for the first 35 minutes or so. Saw a tarantula, a gecko, and a nightsnake, and no, those are not nicknames for my hiking partners.

Took the west side of the Pass Mountain Loop trail south to the Wind Cave trailhead. The desert vegetation looked nice and green along the trail. Up Wind Cave Trail, which was far less busy than I expected, so that was a nice surprise. Picked up a tagalong on our way to the south summit, a nice young woman in town for a few days. Lots of flying insects, but clouds and a cool breeze were much appreciated.

After parting ways with the extra hiker, we headed north on the ridgeline. Fun hiking through and over the rocks as we made our way to the summit. Took a break up there, enjoyed the still cool weather, then continued north. Dropping off the ledges is fun, the steep ball-bearing slope below them is not so fun. Tedious descent, but we survived. Lots of erosion from the recent weather.

Headed over to Lone Mtn/EJ Peak on a mish mash of social trails/old roads and made our way up to the summit. Only saw a couple of other hikers on that mountain. After a nice break at the summit, headed back down to the parking area, finishing up just before 1000.

Great weather for an August hike in the desert. As always, good to see Kelly, Chumley, and John again.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Night Snake

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Aug 14 2022

trekkin_gecko

Guides 10
Routes 673
Photos 7,281
Triplogs 4,660

67 female

Joined Nov 17 2008
phoenix, az

Pass Mountain Loop Trail #282

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 14 2022
		trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,660

Hiking	10.02 Miles	2,628 AEG

Hiking	10.02 Miles	4 Hrs 51 Mns	2.39 mph
	2,628 ft AEG	39 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

	chumley	johnlp
	LindaAnn

linda put together a nice combo to cover pass mountain ridgeline and lone mountain from bulldog trailhead
we all met up at 0500 and set off for pass mountain trail
up to wind cave, then hit the south summit with a visitor from washington
north along the ridgeline
it's been a few years since i've been up here
took a break at the high point, then down the ledges and ball bearing slopes
cut over to the lone mountain trail and up to the summit where we took another break
downhill to bulldog
lots of green out there, along with some erosion on the trails
linda found a few critters for us: a tarantula, a gecko and a nightsnake
overcast the entire hike
great views of the goldfields and superstitions from any high point
a few showers to the east
nice to revisit these trails with good company - hadn't hiked with chums in awhile
thanks for organizing, linda

_____________________

hazhole

Aug 14 2022

johnlp

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

68 male

Joined Mar 16 2008
chandler,az

Pass Mountain Loop Trail #282

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 14 2022
		johnlp • Triplogs 5,208

Hiking	10.02 Miles	2,628 AEG

Hiking	10.02 Miles	4 Hrs 51 Mns	2.39 mph
	2,628 ft AEG	39 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

linked

Partners

partners

	chumley	LindaAnn
	trekkin_gecko

I joined Linda, Kelly, and Todd for a Pass Mountain/Lone Mountain hike. We got an early start under cloudy skies, which thankfully lasted the entire hike. Between the clouds and a breeze it was pretty comfortable for August though we all were glistening at times.
Not too many people out hiking, surprising us. The Wind Cave trail is usually very busy. We met a gal from WA who followed us up to the ridgeline. She wants to hike the PCT next year.
The ridgeline was fun and the descent a little tedious per usual as it's kinda steep and loose.
Next we headed over to EJ Peak/Lone Mountain. A sweat fest heading up, but really nice conditions and views on top.
Fun hike. Nice to see Linda, Todd, and Kelly again.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Four o'clock trailing and some yellow ones

_____________________

“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson

Aug 14 2022

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 842
Photos 22,068
Triplogs 1,994

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Pass Wind, AZ

Hiking		Aug 14 2022
		chumley • Triplogs 1,994

Hiking	10.19 Miles	2,719 AEG

Hiking	10.19 Miles	4 Hrs 50 Mns	2.34 mph
	2,719 ft AEG	29 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

linked

Wind Cave from Usery Road

Partners

partners

	johnlp	LindaAnn
	trekkin_gecko

I spent the morning checking off some new uniques with some familiar faces. I think it's funny that somebody sometime decided to call it a cave -- and it stuck!

The weather cooperated all morning, with a cool overcast and some nearby sprinkles. The ridgeline was a really enjoyable stretch, ruined only by the steep and loose descent down the north slope.

Given the nice conditions, we decided to tag on EJ, which ended up being hotter, sweatier, steeper, and longer than it looked when we made the choice to do it! But it's a worthwhile little peak.

Back to the trailhead and we parted ways after a solid 10 before 10.

_____________________

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

Jun 04 2022

azlaurie

Routes 181
Photos 901
Triplogs 259

50 female

Joined Mar 09 2010
Chandler, AZ