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Chain Fruit Trail - 4 members in 36 triplogs have rated this an average 2 ( 1 to 5 best )
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36 triplogs
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Jul 13 2025
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 Guides 27
 Routes 669
 Photos 12,096
 Triplogs 856

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Meridian TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 13 2025
DarthStillerTriplogs 856
Hiking9.67 Miles 404 AEG
Hiking9.67 Miles   4 Hrs   6 Mns   2.39 mph
404 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Started from the Meridian TH that's about a half mile south of the Meridian/Bulldog Pass TH at the very end of Merdian Road, getting on the flat and easy trails right away. Made a big loop of Meridian, Blevins, Chainfruit, Lost Sheep, Moon Rock, Channel, Noso and back to Blevins and Meridian. I had just a little bit of shade when I started as the sun hadn't quite hit the horizon yet. By the end it was getting hot as it does this time of year. The last 2 miles when I got to the benches in the park I stretched my legs out on them as my legs were feeling a little stiff once I hit the 8 mile mark.

Lots of hikers and bikers seen, fewer as the morning wore on. No wildlife spotted, but I did see a track from a snake across the Meridian Trail on my way back, so I guess I just missed a diamondback at some point. Finished up just before 10am.
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Apr 27 2025
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 Guides 27
 Routes 669
 Photos 12,096
 Triplogs 856

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Merkle Memorial TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 27 2025
DarthStillerTriplogs 856
Hiking7.91 Miles 453 AEG
Hiking7.91 Miles   3 Hrs   12 Mns   2.48 mph
453 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Sunday morning lazy hike. hit areas I haven't done in few years. Started on Chainfruit up to the visitor center, hit the 2 trails to the campgrounds along the way. The one just ended at the campground but I have an old track with a loop somewhere there, may have to go back one day to find it again.

Hit Desert Hawk by the Visitor Center then headed south on chainfruit and Lost Sheep, then took the side trails to the subdivisions and then headed over to finish up on Merkle. Got my shot of the day on Merkle of the hummingbird on top of a saguaro.

Weather was nice. Air seemed a bit hazy, couldn't see any of Mt Lemmon, which you usually can in this area. Traffic on the trails wasn't too bad.
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Apr 21 2025
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 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Chain Fruit TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 21 2025
Tortoise_HikerTriplogs 3,652
Hiking3.10 Miles 148 AEG
Hiking3.10 Miles   1 Hour   2 Mns   3.00 mph
148 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
_____________________
Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
Mar 16 2025
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 Guides 27
 Routes 669
 Photos 12,096
 Triplogs 856

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Amigos Wash TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 16 2025
DarthStillerTriplogs 856
Hiking7.50 Miles 325 AEG
Hiking7.50 Miles   3 Hrs   16 Mns   2.31 mph
325 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
1st trip
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
After the deathmarch slog from the day before, I just wanted to do something easy and laid back. Went over to Usery Park (short drive) and hit some trails I haven't done in a few years there. Started on Blevins, and did a loop with Amigos Wash, Channel Trail, Moon Rock, Lost Sheep and Chainfruit trails back to the Area 10 lot.

It was cool at the start because the sun hadn't hit the horizon. Then when I was in Amigos Wash it was cool again because of the shade and because it's usually cooler in washes in the mornings.

Nice to get a few miles in just after a huge hike the day before. my legs were stiff but not too bad. I felt it more by the end of the hike and decided that was enough for the weekend. The smooth and level trails here were a nice respite from the last part of the hike the day before. Got many distant views of Mt. Lemmon just after having been there. didn't see any wildlife other than birds and rodents, but heard the usual coyote packs howling in the morning as the sun rose.
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Nov 23 2024
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 Guides 27
 Routes 669
 Photos 12,096
 Triplogs 856

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Talon TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 23 2024
DarthStillerTriplogs 856
Hiking9.98 Miles 874 AEG
Hiking9.98 Miles   3 Hrs   52 Mns   2.58 mph
874 ft AEG
 
Route Scout 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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Sep 16 2024
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 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Lost Sheep TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 16 2024
Tortoise_HikerTriplogs 3,652
Hiking4.90 Miles 260 AEG
Hiking4.90 Miles   1 Hour   54 Mns   2.58 mph
260 ft AEG
 no routes
Partners none no partners
Just a morning meander. Stopped by the visitor center to see Al the tortoise on the way out!
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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
Jun 02 2024
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 Guides 27
 Routes 669
 Photos 12,096
 Triplogs 856

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Blevins TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 02 2024
DarthStillerTriplogs 856
Hiking8.54 Miles 326 AEG
Hiking8.54 Miles   3 Hrs   12 Mns   2.67 mph
326 ft AEG
 
Lazy Sunday morning hike. Started just after 6:30am. Took Dmitri with me out for this one. We stayed on the level trails so it was pleasantly easy. After the steep hike the day before, I was very pleased to have absolutely no soreness in my legs at all :y: .

Saw some owls on the Cat Peaks and got a good shot of one. Saw a hawk on a saguaro just after that. Nothing else really to speak of. Finished up before 10am and got over 8 miles in, which I was pretty happy with. Got a pizza for lunch and took an afternoon nap on the couch (kind of) watching the Pirates lose. Weather was still nice, the real heat hasn't hit yet, plus our early start helped.
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May 14 2024
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 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Lost Sheep TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar May 14 2024
Tortoise_HikerTriplogs 3,652
Hiking5.90 Miles 422 AEG
Hiking5.90 Miles   2 Hrs   16 Mns   2.60 mph
422 ft AEG
 no routes
I wandered around some of the flatter trails at Usery today. It was a seeing what condition my condition was in wander after falling the other day. ](*,) :D
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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
Mar 31 2024
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 Guides 27
 Routes 669
 Photos 12,096
 Triplogs 856

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Talon TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 31 2024
DarthStillerTriplogs 856
Hiking6.10 Miles 890 AEG
Hiking6.10 Miles   2 Hrs   51 Mns   2.14 mph
890 ft AEG
 
Partners none no partners
After the hike up to Ord the day before, I was expecting to be pretty sore the next morning. To my surprise, when I got out of bed, I had no limp or soreness. I got a bit of a late start since we had guests the night before. I had the intention to get to the Wind Cave, but with the late start and taking a roundabout route of 2 miles before I got the Wind Cave Trail, it was 10am and I still had nearly a half mile to go. I didn't want to be out past noon so I bailed. I was wanting to get 1000' AEG and ended up with 800, so I wasn't all that disappointed. The morining rain storms passed thru so it was raining on and off the entire time. Low clouds made for some interesting pics.
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Feb 26 2024
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 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Lost Sheep TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 26 2024
Tortoise_HikerTriplogs 3,652
Hiking5.80 Miles 312 AEG
Hiking5.80 Miles   2 Hrs   12 Mns   2.64 mph
312 ft AEG
 no routes
Partners none no partners
_____________________
Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
  1 archive
Feb 11 2024
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 Guides 1
 Routes 14
 Photos 7,202
 Triplogs 5,208

68 male
 Joined Mar 16 2008
 chandler,az
Usury Mountain Regional Park, AZ 
Usury Mountain Regional Park, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 11 2024
johnlpTriplogs 5,208
Hiking10.94 Miles 699 AEG
Hiking10.94 Miles   3 Hrs   21 Mns   3.35 mph
699 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
I had not hiked the southern trails in Usery before. Pretty flat. Beautiful desert.
Frosty as we started and there was even a little ice out there.
Lots of bunnies and birds observed, including a Harris hawk on a saguaro.
Good hike. Thanks Kelly. :)
_____________________
“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
 
Feb 11 2024
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 Guides 27
 Routes 669
 Photos 12,096
 Triplogs 856

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Blevins TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 11 2024
DarthStillerTriplogs 856
Hiking8.23 Miles 349 AEG
Hiking8.23 Miles   3 Hrs   12 Mns   2.57 mph
349 ft AEG
 
Little bit of a later start than usual for me, kind of a lazy day hiking. Did a loop on the flatter trails, doing some zig zagging north and south between the Blevins and Levee Trails. Lots of water and a little leftover hail from the storms the night before. Saw a coyote and a hawk. Only a few other hikers and shockingly no bikers. A couple more hikes on the Blevins Trail and I'll my first big red dot on my triplog map.
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  1 archive
Feb 11 2024
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 Guides 10
 Routes 673
 Photos 7,281
 Triplogs 4,660

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Usury Mountain Regional Park, AZ 
Usury Mountain Regional Park, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 11 2024
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,660
Hiking11.00 Miles 699 AEG
Hiking11.00 Miles   3 Hrs   22 Mns   3.35 mph
699 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
john and i sampled some of the easier trails at usury
got going around 0700 from the visitor's center
half of the trails were new to me, most of them for john
some frost on the vegetation, ice in the channel along levee trail
enjoyed the walk through the desert
lots of healthy saguaros, plenty of cholla
saw a few hikers and bikers, birds and bunnies
heard some coyotes howling
nice morning, thanks john :)
_____________________
hazhole
 
Dec 29 2023
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 Guides 59
 Routes 1,100
 Photos 1,191
 Triplogs 1,290

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Pass Mountain RidgelinePhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 29 2023
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,290
Hiking12.97 Miles 2,249 AEG
Hiking12.97 Miles   4 Hrs   39 Mns   2.97 mph
2,249 ft AEG      17 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all.
Thumper
  7 archives
Aug 23 2023
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 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Lost Sheep TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 23 2023
Tortoise_HikerTriplogs 3,652
Hiking4.00 Miles 203 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles   1 Hour   35 Mns   2.53 mph
203 ft AEG
 no routes
Partners none no partners
Just a little wandering around at Usery. looks like they may have a got a few drops this week. Trails in great shape for a stroll. I saw three new Barrel Cactus laying over and one new Saguaro arm off. I saw three kangaroo rats (?) dead on trail in different locations. Strange!? Saw a nice Harris Hawk pretty close. Another nice sunrise! I added Desert Hawk to get 4 miles. I didn't remember there being a Tortoise :y: exhibit there and a little tiny amphitheater with a fire ring. I'll have to bring the young grandkids to see it. A nice morning leg stretcher! :D
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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
Jun 10 2023
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 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Pass Mountain Loop Trail #282Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 10 2023
Tortoise_HikerTriplogs 3,652
Hiking3.40 Miles 289 AEG
Hiking3.40 Miles   1 Hour   11 Mns   2.87 mph
289 ft AEG
 
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I got to the park at 4:58. Electronic gate opened at 5:00. I started at the staging area parking lot. Went clockwise on Pass Mountain Loop. Took it to the first left turn on Talon. Half a mile down Talon I noticed a connector trail to the group picnic area. I don’t remember that here last time. It has about 50 parking spots. I figure if you wanted to get extra mileage when doing Wind Cave you could park at the group C/D parking and take Talan to Wind Cave trailhead. It would add about a mile each way. Also if Wind Cave parking was full this could be an alternative for that or the Pass Mountain loop hike.
I took Talan down to Chainfruit trail and took a left over to Blevins. Took it back to the staging area parking. Saw a few hikers and bikers here and there.
White Wing Dove where having a party on the Saguaro’s. Enjoying the fruit. I saw what I think was a Harris Hawk sitting on a nice Saguaro nest.
Being on the west side of the mountain kept me in the shade for almost an hour which was nice. I saw 4 Mule Deer on the drive out of the park.
Nice to get out! Have a nice weekend, my friends!
_____________________
Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
  1 archive
Jun 06 2023
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 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Lost Sheep TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 06 2023
Tortoise_HikerTriplogs 3,652
Hiking3.30 Miles 152 AEG
Hiking3.30 Miles   1 Hour   23 Mns   2.39 mph
152 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
I wandered around for a little while at Usery park.
The white wing dove were enjoying the Saguaro fruit. A hawk sat it the picnic area looking for rodents scavenging. A quail held his lookout for the others. A cottontail enjoyed the morning temps. A mule deer beat me at a staring contest. Enjoyable leg stretcher.
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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
Apr 03 2023
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 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Lost Sheep TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 03 2023
Tortoise_HikerTriplogs 3,652
Hiking3.80 Miles 218 AEG
Hiking3.80 Miles   1 Hour   31 Mns   2.51 mph
218 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
Afternoon stroll. Getting windy! Brittlebush here and there. Hedgehog starting to bloom. Waiting for the Buckhorn Cholla to start blooming.
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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
Feb 24 2023
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 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Chain Fruit TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 24 2023
Tortoise_HikerTriplogs 3,652
Hiking3.00 Miles 156 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles   1 Hour   11 Mns   2.54 mph
156 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
_____________________
Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
Feb 18 2023
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 Guides 27
 Routes 669
 Photos 12,096
 Triplogs 856

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Chain Fruit TrailPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 18 2023
DarthStillerTriplogs 856
Hiking10.47 Miles 439 AEG
Hiking10.47 Miles   3 Hrs   34 Mns   2.94 mph
439 ft AEG
 
I had something to attend Saturday but the time got moved back from 10am to noon. My original plan was to go jogging early Saturday, but once the time was moved, it made more sense to pick a quick hike close to home. Usery is one of the closest options, so I picked the biggest loop in the flat trails.

I got to the gate at 5:45am to find that they open the park at 6. First time I was aware of this. Started from Area 10 and did a loop of Blevins, Chainfruit, Lost Sheep, Moon Rock, Levee, Spillway, Ruidoso, County Line, Meridian and Blevins again.

It turned out to be a more interesting hike that I had expected since I saw about 3 small packs of coyotes while I was hiking along the Levee Trail. One would cross on the top of the levee and then I would see a few more below running through the trees and chollas. At one point one pack I saw earlier started howling and the others responded. it made for an interesting show.

then on the County Line Trail I walked up on a small herd of deer that were sitting right on the trail. They took off but then took their time, giving me the chance to get some pics.

Cold to start, then warmed up quick once the sun hit the horizon. Mostly sunny throughout the morning. Nice to see the green grass carpet covering most of the ground. Finished up in 3.5 hours, averaging a good 3 mph.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Coyote
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average hiking speed 2.59 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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