South Maricopa Mountains - NW Ridgeline • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Mar 04 2017

joebartels

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

South Maricopa Mountains - NW Ridgeline

Phoenix, AZ

South Maricopa Mountains - NW Ridgeline

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 04 2017
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	7.93 Miles	2,138 AEG

Hiking	7.93 Miles	5 Hrs 23 Mns		1.65 mph
	2,138 ft AEG	35 Mns Break	14 LBS Pack

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no linked trail guides

Partners

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BiFrost

The_Eagle

The desert base around these mountains is easy off trail. The area is noted for wildflowers. South Mountain and similar nearby ranges are hitting so it seemed prime.

We hit the loop counter clockwise to stair step peaks 2264, 2302, 2654 upwards. The nearest western spur ridge to gain access had me feeling like I was off trail at South Mountain. That soon phased out and it was a cross between Piestewa and Camelback rock. Nothing tough, nothing quick on the ridge. While I've never hike the Estrella Ridgeline I'd imagine it's a low dose to similar based on triplogs.

2264 was just okay. Lichen and such picked up. 2302 was getting a little interesting. Saddle drops between each kept it real. I enjoyed the entire hike but it was like hiking in my backyard. 2654 was more of a winner. The rock and terrain is just like being off trail on Camelback.

We headed down 2654 off the north and down into the NW ravine. I really enjoyed this part as it was like Camelback with non city views and felt more adventurous. Unfortunately the further we descended it became obvious this is a major route for border crossers. Lots of shirts, blankets, carpet slippers, water jugs and such scattered about.

Near the base that transitioned into some wonderful splotches of poppies along the twisty ravines. The largest ocotillo I've seen added to the adventure. It stood two stories high with huge four inch wide branches.

Water
Good luck finding any water unless it's raining. The terrain drains quick.

Trains
A dozen trains or more passed during our short five hour foray. Bruce said one was waiting to pass when we arrived. Up on the ridge we could see and hear one below then another in the faint distance approaching. If this is standard you would never wait long to see a train. The trains are much shorter than what I see along Grand Ave, the cars are narrow in comparison too.

Inspiration
[ Shawmut Trainspotting Loop ] by @Randal_Schulhauser
[ gps route ] by @tom_h

What we learned from each other
Squeegee jinx! Pinch, poke, you owe me a coke.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Ocotillo Saguaro Shawmut Monster Buggywhip

Wildflowers Observation Substantial
Substantial at the northern base of 2654. Majority of the hike was just spring green.

_____________________

- joe

Mar 04 2017

The_Eagle

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

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Shawmut Trainspotting Ridgeline Loop, AZ

Hiking		Mar 04 2017
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,762

Hiking	8.02 Miles	2,150 AEG

Hiking	8.02 Miles	5 Hrs 21 Mns		1.62 mph
	2,150 ft AEG	24 Mns Break	14 LBS Pack

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Shawmut Trainspotting Loop

South Maricopa Mountains - NW Ridgeline

Partners

partners

BiFrost

joebartels

Got out to a new area of the state to throw a new dot on my map.

With the promise for Poppies (or was it Puppies?) Joe put together this loop.

We had a train parked in front of where we had to start our hike, but it shortly moved out of our way.

The beginning of this hike is a walk across the mainly flat desert.
This is not a place I'd want to be in the summer months.

We started our ridgeline roller coaster hike of 3 numbered and 3 unnumbered peaks, starting to 2264 and ending with 2654. We took a break at the top in took in the views all around. Great visibility up here.

Our escape route followed a steep ridge line down to the North, until we dumped into a Ravine. We found it curious that we started seeing other footprints, but could not tell which way they were going.

It became obvious shortly after when we ran into a very recently used camp. Empty gallon water bottles, clothes, blankets, a large tuperware storage tub and the first time I'd actually seen Carpet Shoes.
There had to be 20 pairs scattered around. [ photo ]

Once down we flat-landed it back to the Truck and went through numerous small Poppy patches on the way.
Also, we did see probably the largest Ocotillo I'd ever seen.

Good choice of hikes Joe (Poppy Poser) Bartels

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Ocotillo

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Talus Snail

Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Mainly Poppies here

_____________________

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

Mar 04 2017

BiFrost

Guides 4
Routes 491
Photos 10,890
Triplogs 1,257

55 male

Joined Nov 20 2012
Phoenix, AZ

Shawmut Trainspotting Ridgeline Loop, AZ

Hiking		Mar 04 2017
		BiFrost • Triplogs 1,257

Hiking	7.93 Miles	2,138 AEG

Hiking	7.93 Miles	5 Hrs 21 Mns	1.60 mph
	2,138 ft AEG	24 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

linked

Shawmut Trainspotting Loop

South Maricopa Mountains - NW Ridgeline

Partners

partners

joebartels

The_Eagle

Joe put this loop together with some fun off trail up the Shawmut ridgeline. Starting at the train tracks we started up the ridgeline from the west side and continued to climb a series of three high points. First up was 2264, then 2302 and finally peak 2654. Views kept getting better with each peak but we had a lot of up and down between each peak. Took a lunch break on 2654 and then headed down the north side into the drainage to the valley floor. Valley floor was also cool hike with some poppies and easy walking back to the vehicle. The ridgeline seemed like Sierra Estrella light with the knife edge qualities seen on some of @JuanJaimeiii triplogs in theEstrella. Great loop but we still had another hike to do.

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

_____________________

1 archive

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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