Usery Spur - Maricopa Trail • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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ejones03

A quick out-and-back to the cave, noting significantly more bees than a month ago.
Warmed quickly from 71° to 89°

HR Avg/Max = 105/136

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CannondaleKid

Mar 25 2025

CannondaleKid

Guides 44
Routes 162
Photos 24,766
Triplogs 2,411

75 male

Joined May 04 2004
Mesa, AZ

Pass Mountain Bee Cave, AZ

Hiking		Mar 25 2025
		CannondaleKid • Triplogs 2,411

Hiking	6.00 Miles	795 AEG

Hiking	6.00 Miles	2 Hrs 18 Mns		2.61 mph
	795 ft AEG		12 LBS Pack

no routes

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trixiec

Early out-and-back to beat-the-heat (is 80° even hot??) from Usery Pass Road to the Bee Cave just East of the saddle along Pass Mountain Trail. While the fast-warming temps were fine with Tracey it didn't make no never-mind to me... whether 80° or 115°, I dress appropriately for the weather.

Encountered the usual gamut... young joggers, slightly older hikers (solo's and a few groups), a few elderly hikers and even a few bikers coming around the mountain. One gal had been warned of a rattler ahead (of her) by another hiker ~20 minutes earlier and asked if we'd seen it... nope, probably already warmed up and into hiding for the day.

The comb at the hike was quite impressive, larger than we'd seen in some time... and of course, the close-up was out-of-focus. Oh well.

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CannondaleKid

1 archive

Jan 09 2025

jhelfers

Routes 44
Triplogs 48

70 male

Joined Mar 12 2002
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 09 2025
		jhelfers • Triplogs 48

Hiking	5.53 Miles	720 AEG

Hiking	5.53 Miles	2 Hrs 41 Mns	2.23 mph
	720 ft AEG	12 Mns Break

no photosets

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

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Nov 23 2024

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Talon Trail

Talon Trail

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 23 2024
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	9.98 Miles	874 AEG

Hiking	9.98 Miles	3 Hrs 52 Mns	2.58 mph
	874 ft AEG

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6 linked trail guides

Lost Sheep Trail

Chain Fruit Trail

Blevins Trail

Moon Rock Trail

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

Stayed close to home because of the plans for this weekend. Started from Area 10 in Usery and took Blevins, Chain Fruit, Talon, then some unmarked biker trails at the north end of Talon, Pass Mt. Loop, Talon, Lost Sheep, Moon Rock, and Blevins again back to the TH. Saw a couple hawks early on. At the very start a herd of coyotes started howling for a bit. Typical mix of hikers and bikers on the trail, mostly bikers. Weather got a little warm, but not hot. At the north end with the unmarked trails I hiked one that I hadn't hiked before, which I always like.

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Dec 29 2023

pseudalpine

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

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 29 2023
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking	12.97 Miles	2,249 AEG

Hiking	12.97 Miles	4 Hrs 39 Mns	2.97 mph
	2,249 ft AEG	17 Mns Break

no photosets

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10 linked trail guides

Merkle Memorial Trail

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If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all.
Thumper

7 archives

Dec 03 2023

LindaAnn

Guides 110
Routes 2,246
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,600

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 03 2023
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600

Hiking	8.92 Miles	1,969 AEG

Hiking	8.92 Miles	4 Hrs 16 Mns	2.33 mph
	1,969 ft AEG	26 Mns Break

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RedChrisB

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

Chris and I got started from the Bulldog parking area on Usery Rd around 0700. Headed over to the start of Wind Cave Trail. It’s a little annoying to have the first 3+ miles of hiking be so dull, but at least that part is out of the way on the front end of the hike.

Headed up Wind Cave which had plenty of people. Then continued past it up to the ridgeline. Headed to the south summit first, then headed north. Two guys we chatted with who weren’t sure of the ridgeline route tailed behind us by several hundred feet the entire way. There’s really only a spot or two where it gets vague these days. Chris liked the scrambling and the views, especially to the east.

Once off the ridge and down the ball-bearing slope, it was a quick walk back to the parking lot. The old RVs that have set up residence in the lot need to go away soon. Nice weather all day, the cool temps felt good.

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Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Oct 24 2023

trekkin_gecko

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

67 female

Joined Nov 17 2008
phoenix, az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Oct 24 2023
		trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,660

Hiking	8.37 Miles	1,906 AEG

Hiking	8.37 Miles	4 Hrs 25 Mns	2.12 mph
	1,906 ft AEG	28 Mns Break

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danielac

LindaAnn

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

linda planned a pass mountain ridgeline hike
met the girls at bulldog at 0815
made our way over to pass mountain loop, then up wind cave trail
hit the south summit, then went along the ridgeline on mostly obvious use trail
took a break at the summit, then down to the northwest via the ledges and scree slopes
a few clouds on the descent, not much wind
saw a few people, but no one after wind cave
fun to revisit this one, and nice to hike with daniela again
thanks for setting it up, linda

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hazhole

Oct 24 2023

LindaAnn

Guides 110
Routes 2,246
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,600

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Oct 24 2023
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600

Hiking	8.42 Miles	2,006 AEG

Hiking	8.42 Miles	4 Hrs 25 Mns	2.14 mph
	2,006 ft AEG	29 Mns Break

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danielac

trekkin_gecko

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

I am nowhere near acclimated to the heat right now, but was wanting to do something other than SoMo that would fit into a schoolday. Daniela & I met Kelly at the Bulldog parking lot and got started around 0815. Took the spur over to Pass Mtn Loop, then south.

Up Wind Cave, which had a handful of other hikers. The sections of shade were much appreciated. After that, we made our way up to the ridgeline. Hit the south summit first, then headed north. Fun, easy scrambling, not too much brush. Distinct route much of the way, but did lose it for a few minutes somewhere near the middle. Good breeze at times. I was griping about forgetting electrolytes this morning.

Nice break on the summit of Pass Mtn, then the slippery descent of the northwest side of the ridge. Everybody managed to stay upright. Finished up a little after 1230, so no kids were abandoned at school this afternoon, made it back with plenty of time to spare. Good to hike with Kelly and Daniela again.

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Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Mar 08 2022

LindaAnn

Guides 110
Routes 2,246
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,600

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 08 2022
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600

Hiking	8.25 Miles	1,882 AEG

Hiking	8.25 Miles	5 Hrs 29 Mns	1.68 mph
	1,882 ft AEG	34 Mns Break

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realm09

watermelonW

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

Spring break for the kids = plenty of hikes to keep them tired. Parked at Bulldog and headed south. Continued south on Pass Mtn Loop. Quite a few people on the trail.

Took a quick break at Wind Cave trailhead to refill our water. Headed up Wind Cave, which was super busy. I told the kids not to stop as we headed uphill, the downhill hikers would just have to deal with it on the narrow spots. The kids took one glance at the cave without even slowing down, filled with at least thirty people, announced loudly “that’s not even a real cave, it’s lame” and kept going. Once past the cave, we saw zero people for the entire rest of the day.

We made our way up to the south summit, where we took another quick break. One kid was a little whiny, tried to claim his stomach was hurting, but got zero sympathy from me. He had four cheeseburgers yesterday, three of which were double patty cheeseburgers from Five Guys, so any misery was self-inflicted.

After the south summit, we headed north along the ridgeline. The kids loved scrambling through and over all the rocks—definitely their favorite part of the day. I pulled a muscle in my left bicep on Saturday (BamKazam in Scottsdale is dangerous for anyone under 25!), which is still very tender, so I had to be careful in a few places. Took a another break at the summit, then began our downhill journey.

Tedious coming off the northwest side of the ridge, but the kids did fine. Poles were helpful. Once back down to the desert floor, it was a quick hike back to the trailhead.

Nice breeze and temps today. Quite a few wildflowers along parts of this loop.

Wildflowers Observation Light
Lots of poppies and other flowers along the upper half of Wind Cave. Tons of poppies while coming down off the north end of the ridge. Handful of other flowers in various places. The best showing I’ve seen so far this spring.

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Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Feb 22 2022

rtaylor3235

Routes 110
Photos 670
Triplogs 204

74 male

Joined Nov 02 2013
Apache Junction,

Maricopa trail to Pass Mountain loop, AZ

Hiking		Feb 22 2022
		rtaylor3235 • Triplogs 204

Hiking	5.02 Miles	609 AEG

Hiking	5.02 Miles	2 Hrs 22 Mns		2.53 mph
	609 ft AEG	23 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

no photosets

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Bob and I had a little time this afternoon to do a short hike out Pass Mountain way. We did a out and back and ran into several other hikers, one on vacation from Germany. He was loving the beauty Arizona hiking has to offer.

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Jan 30 2021

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 30 2021
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	9.10 Miles	1,626 AEG

Hiking	9.10 Miles	4 Hrs 22 Mns	2.09 mph
	1,626 ft AEG	1 Min Break

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I decided to stick close to home again with the rain Friday night. Not sure how it might affect the highways heading north. I saw the Usery Spur trail that heads out to Usery Road from the MT spur from the Pass Mountain Trail and decided to make a point of hiking that along with MT and parts of the Pass Mountain Trail.

Started at 6:20am in the dark, but with the full(ish) moon, I never needed a headlamp. I started from the Bulldog TH along Usery Road and headed south on the MT, then did an out and back on the Usery Spur. I followed what looked like an obvious trail and found myself off track after a bit. I followed the wash back to the track, which then seemed to mostly follow another wash after a bit. On the way back I stayed on track.

Got to the Pass Mountain Trail and hiked clockwise over to the pass on the east side of the mountain and headed back. The views to the north and east were spectacular with all the fog lying in the valley and rolling up over the saddles and passes. At the pass I turned around and headed back to the MT.

At the junction of the Pass Mountain Trail and where the MT spur heads north, I took the trail that heads south and east up to the top of Pass Mountain. I stopped short of getting to the top since it was starting to get a little late and I knew that the trail would eventually give way to the route finding of the ridgeline. That seems like another hike to another day from inside the park.

Made my way back down the faint trail and back to the car, negotiating of dicey sections of steep and loose scree. Saw a family with small kids and a dog making their way up which was a bit surprising.

The weather was very cool, but still warm when heading uphill into the sun. Once I was hiking downhill with the sun on my back, it felt very cool again very quickly.

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Jun 08 2020

Daytripper

Guides 7
Routes 187
Photos 2,318
Triplogs 909

74 male

Joined Dec 10 2016
Gold Canyon

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jun 08 2020
		Daytripper • Triplogs 909

Hiking	9.80 Miles	1,584 AEG

Hiking	9.80 Miles	3 Hrs 50 Mns		2.80 mph
	1,584 ft AEG	20 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

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Enjoyed a good exercise hike today in reasonable temperatures without a long drive. Parked near the gate for Bulldog Canyon off Usery Road, started on Maricopa Trail a steady climb in a soft sandy wash , only met one biker heading down and one hiker at the Pass Mountain Loop Trail Junction, this part of the loop trail has the best tread on the loop as opposed to the rockier south and east portions. Wind Cave had some traffic but not too bad probably due to it being a weekday. Went up above the “cave “ to the high point , fortunately not as many bee’s today so was able to enjoy a snack and rest break there. Upper half of the Wind Cave Trail was shaded but still didn’t feel too warm even on the way back down the unshaded lower part. Decided to pick up the pace and did some limited jogging heading back to the Maricopa Trail. Lizards were plentiful no other wildlife spotted.

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Navy31 Army13

Feb 28 2020

hikingaz2

Guides 1
Routes 169
Photos 1,616
Triplogs 218

81 male

Joined Dec 16 2011
Mesa,Az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 28 2020
		hikingaz2 • Triplogs 218

Hiking	2.79 Miles	761 AEG

Hiking	2.79 Miles	1 Hour 13 Mns		2.36 mph
	761 ft AEG	2 Mns Break	4 LBS Pack

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LittleMsHiker

Details of our Adventure ---- Hikers -- Bikers -- Group of 6 Hawks -- Dogs -- Horses -- Goat -- sums it all up in a 2.79 mile stroll

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Harris Hawk

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Feb 23 2020

hikingaz2

Guides 1
Routes 169
Photos 1,616
Triplogs 218

81 male

Joined Dec 16 2011
Mesa,Az

Saddle Cave, AZ

Hiking		Feb 23 2020
		hikingaz2 • Triplogs 218

Hiking	7.09 Miles	1,111 AEG

Hiking	7.09 Miles	3 Hrs 46 Mns		2.01 mph
	1,111 ft AEG	14 Mns Break	4 LBS Pack

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RofRandR

Wanted something not so rocky this week, between that and cabin fever the trail was busy today. Hadn't been to Saddle Cave for quite awhile, was a perfect choice. Hate to do the loop, just to rocky on the southeast side. Met a couple from Gilbert just getting into hiking of course had to show them RS and also urged them to signup with our Favorite " HAZ "

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Aug 24 2019

ddgrunning

Guides 3
Routes 632
Photos 8,235
Triplogs 604

54 male

Joined Apr 13 2011
Gilbert, AZ

Pass Mountain Wind Cave, AZ

Hiking		Aug 24 2019
		ddgrunning • Triplogs 604

Hiking	12.80 Miles	2,445 AEG

Hiking	12.80 Miles	3 Hrs 10 Mns	4.39 mph
	2,445 ft AEG	15 Mns Break

no photosets

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Trail run; training for an upcoming R2R. A good distance, and decent AEG without having to drive too far. Took a few breaks along the way. Went through 3+ liters.

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Aug 17 2019

ddgrunning

Guides 3
Routes 632
Photos 8,235
Triplogs 604

54 male

Joined Apr 13 2011
Gilbert, AZ

Scorpion-Wild Horse-Usery Spur, AZ

Hiking		Aug 17 2019
		ddgrunning • Triplogs 604

Hiking	9.88 Miles	915 AEG

Hiking	9.88 Miles	1 Hour 54 Mns	5.81 mph
	915 ft AEG	12 Mns Break

no photosets

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Scorpion Trail - Hawes

Wild Horse Trail - Hawes

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Trail run from Bush Highway. Toasty out, but with my Camelback bladder wrapped in tinfoil, I was able to keep it ice cold for the whole run. A few mountain bikers on the trail, but otherwise a lot of solitude--i'm sure because of the heat. It was nice to figure out I could cross Usery road at the horse lot and continue on the trail on the east side, up to the Pass Mtn junction. I never knew there was a trail over there. Some good AEG.

The powers that be have literally littered Bush highway with NO Parking signs. In some places, I understand, but others ??? For example, now you have to park about a 1/2 mile away or more from the Hawes TH off Power Road, despite huge shoulders along the road at the top of the hill. First, they closed off the de facto parking area. Now this. Seems like an obvious area to actually develop a legit parking area, given the popularity of the area.

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May 12 2019

Thoreau

Routes 10
Photos 466
Triplogs 680

male

Joined Mar 10 2008
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Mtn Biking		May 12 2019
		Thoreau • Triplogs 680

Mtn Biking	14.11 Miles	1,798 AEG

Mtn Biking	14.11 Miles	1 Hour 46 Mns	7.99 mph
	1,798 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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Apr 19 2019

ddgrunning

Guides 3
Routes 632
Photos 8,235
Triplogs 604

54 male

Joined Apr 13 2011
Gilbert, AZ

Usery Area Trail Run, AZ

Run/Jog		Apr 19 2019
		ddgrunning • Triplogs 604

Run/Jog	12.25 Miles	1,494 AEG

Run/Jog	12.25 Miles	2 Hrs 19 Mns	5.33 mph
	1,494 ft AEG	1 Min Break

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Scorpion Trail - Hawes

Wild Horse Trail - Hawes

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Decided to do my last long run in training for the Whiskey Row Half Marathon as a trail run, linking various trails in the Usery area. The loop up and down Peak 2311 was a little too steep to be enjoyable as a run (coming down was steep/sketchy in running shoes, with all of the granite pebbles underfoot threatening to launch me into rollerblade mode at any second).

Overall, got in about 300 more feet of AEG that the actual half marathon. That said, I felt in the next day .... Hopefully, that means I will feel it a bit less at the actual race. We'll see!

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1 archive

Feb 17 2019

cw50must

Guides 11
Routes 2
Photos 3,776
Triplogs 334

48 male

Joined Jun 09 2009
Mesa, AZ

Peak 2972 - Usery Mountains

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 17 2019
		cw50must • Triplogs 334

Hiking	3.80 Miles	424 AEG

Hiking	3.80 Miles	1 Hour 20 Mns	2.85 mph
	424 ft AEG

no routes

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Today I made my hike out by Bulldog canyon mostly because I wanted to test out my new trail rig, but also get in a hike. I did the Spur of the Maricopa trail up to pass mountain and then back, but I also included the connector out to the small gate at Usery Pass rd. I liked this little trail and I need to work it into a bike ride I think. Then I did a quick drive out 3554 and then left on 10 out to Bush hwy. It was a good day.

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Nov 18 2018

KBKB

Guides 3
Routes 25
Photos 2,216
Triplogs 237

63 male

Joined Apr 22 2012
Fountain Hills,

Usery Area Explorations, AZ

Hiking		Nov 18 2018
		KBKB • Triplogs 237

Hiking	7.01 Miles	1,365 AEG

Hiking	7.01 Miles	3 Hrs 14 Mns		2.63 mph
	1,365 ft AEG	34 Mns Break	24 LBS Pack

no routes

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