West Express Trail - MSPN • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Routes 189
Photos 7,244
Triplogs 1,742

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

Pima Dynamite Rawhide Stagecoach Loop, AZ

Mtn Biking		Feb 04 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,742

Mtn Biking	21.30 Miles	920 AEG

Mtn Biking	21.30 Miles	2 Hrs 30 Mns		9.13 mph
	920 ft AEG	10 Mns Break	9 LBS Pack

no routes

no photosets

Linked

Cholla Mountain Loop - MSPN

Dry Gulch Trail - MSPN

Corral Trail - MSPN

Partners

none

no partners

Took the fat bike up to Pima Dynamite this morning with the intention of doing a Rawhide Wash Browns Ranch Road kind of loop. Got a late start, but still rolling off before lunch. Took Rawhide Wash from the parking area, the first section out to Dixileta Road was nice sort of soft singletrack trail. From Dixileta it becomes deep, hoofed out, hell sand. Rode north as far as I could before I gave up and took Rock Tank trail over to Axle Grease. Took Axle Grease north to West Express, all of Stagecoach clockwise out to Cholla Mountain Loop south, Dry Gulch and Corral over to Brown's Ranch Road. I wanted to go east on Brown's Ranch Road, but ended up heading west, I guess it looked like less of a climb, I dunno. Found myself at Powerline #1 and headed south, picked up Hawknest, Hackamore, and Axle Grease back to the trailhead. I guess I lost my mojo today as I was spanked when I got back to the van. Light traffic on the trails today, a few hikers and some mountain bikers.

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Sep 30 2024

Routes 189
Photos 7,244
Triplogs 1,742

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

Pima Dynamite Black Diamonds, AZ

Mtn Biking		Sep 30 2024
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,742

Mtn Biking	16.70 Miles	935 AEG

Mtn Biking	16.70 Miles	2 Hrs 15 Mns	8.02 mph
	935 ft AEG	10 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

Snake Eyes - MSPN

Partners

none

no partners

Third time is a charm! I was going to hit Pima Dynamite on Friday, but didn't, then I Sunday would be good, but it wasn't, almost bailed again today, but I didn't! Love the Browns Ranch trail system, I sure wish it weren't so far from me. Parked at Pima Dynamite trailhead and headed out on the twisty black diamond trails of the west side of the park. Latigo, Sidewinder, Rock Tank, Dare A Sarah, Snake Eyes, Scorpion, Tarantula, Hackamore, Axle Grease, West Express, Browns Ranch Rd, and all the way back on Hawknest. Saw an almost equal amount of hikers and bikers out on the trails this morning. It was plenty hot once I got back to the van at 10am.

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Jul 20 2024

mt98dew

Guides 69
Routes 37
Photos 3,010
Triplogs 2,387

55 male

Joined Oct 24 2010
Phoenix,Az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 20 2024
		mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387

Hiking	11.50 Miles	538 AEG

Hiking	11.50 Miles	4 Hrs 8 Mns	2.78 mph
	538 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

DarthStiller

Early morning hike with Chris out at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. He was willing to flex the hike to allow me knock out another trail. The purpose of the hike was to get some miles and to incorporate the West Express Trail. Got on the trail a little after 6am and did a lasso going CCW. Took a number of trails to get to the backside of West Express. It’s been a few years since I’ve been on the Express, but I’ve never taken credit for it. It’s actually much straighter than I remember on the backside. There are some minor curves as it parallels the Powerline #1 Trail. It eventually crosses over the Powerline #1 and starts to do some major twisting and turning as it makes its way to the Latigo Trail. Fun trail to do. Lot of trails connect to it offering multiple loop options. We were briefly on the Latigo, before hopping on the Powerline #2. Always love the MSP. Good times catching up with Chris.

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Jul 20 2024

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 670
Photos 12,111
Triplogs 857

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Basalt Ridge Trail - MSPN

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 20 2024
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 857

Hiking	11.60 Miles	628 AEG

Hiking	11.60 Miles	4 Hrs 6 Mns	2.83 mph
	628 ft AEG

Linked

linked

Powerline Road #2 Trail - MSPN

Partners

partners

mt98dew

I met Brian at the Brown's Ranch TH just after 6am. I hadn't been up to this area in a while and with the heat kicking in, this is usually a good spot because the trails are pretty easy to hike. I was open to anything, and Brian hadn't done the West Express Trail yet.

From the TH, we took Brown's Ranch Road to the Upper Ranch Trail, to Basalt Ridge, and then the Powerline Road #1 up to the north end of the West Express Trail. From there, we hiked southbound on West Express to it's endpoint where it meets the Latigo Trail. We hiked back on that to the Powerline Road #2. We had planned on getting back on Latigo where it crosses the powerline, but the heat was kicking in pretty good, so we just stayed on the powerline road until Upper Ranch again and got back to the TH.

The last mile or so I was feeling the heat. Brian's first choice for this hike was Owl Hoot, which would have been close to 14 miles RT. I was at my limit for the day once we got just over 11. 2 more months until reasonable weather it seems.

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Jan 14 2024

trekkin_gecko

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

67 female

Joined Nov 17 2008
phoenix, az

McDowell Sonoran Preserve North, AZ

Hiking		Jan 14 2024
		trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,660

Hiking	11.15 Miles	520 AEG

Hiking	11.15 Miles	3 Hrs 31 Mns	3.40 mph
	520 ft AEG	14 Mns Break

Linked

Cone Mountain Trail - MSPN

Cloudburst Trail - MSPN

Partners

partners

LindaAnn

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

linda drove us up to dynamite and pima this morning
set out around 0830 or so
nice temps, warming up enough for a wardrobe change after an hour
we did a variety of trails for some good linkage
some of the trails were more scenic than others
not much elevation gain to be had but good trail surface with excellent footing
more mountain bikers than hikers
about half the trails were new to me
thanks for hiking, linda, much appreciated!

*break time seems long, just checking route possibilities, ladies' room stop and moving aside for bikers

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hazhole

2 archives

Jan 14 2024

LindaAnn

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

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

McDowell Sonoran Preserve North, AZ

Hiking		Jan 14 2024
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600

Hiking	11.41 Miles	638 AEG

Hiking	11.41 Miles	3 Hrs 31 Mns	3.49 mph
	638 ft AEG	15 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

Cone Mountain Trail - MSPN

Cloudburst Trail - MSPN

Partners

partners

trekkin_gecko

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

Kelly and I opted for some new territory on the McDowell North part of the preserve. Parked at the Pima Dynamite trailhead and got started. The parking lot was nearly empty at 0830. Nice temps to start, but it warmed up quickly with full sun and no breeze. Didn’t have any set idea of the trails to do, but linked up enough to at least hit ten miles. Everything was easy, with good footing. A fair amount of bikes, but only a few hikers. As we were finishing, there was a helicopter circling overhead, and plenty of emergency vehicles from both Scottsdale and Phoenix. More were arriving as we were driving out. Nice morning and good to knock out several miles with Kelly.

Axle Grease

Hackamore

Hawknest

Cloudburst

Cone Mtn

Hackamore

Tarantula

West Express

Latigo

Rock Tank

Hawknest

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Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Sep 18 2023

Routes 189
Photos 7,244
Triplogs 1,742

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

Pima Dynamite Gravel Ride, AZ

Mtn Biking		Sep 18 2023
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,742

Mtn Biking	21.20 Miles	952 AEG

Mtn Biking	21.20 Miles	2 Hrs 16 Mns		10.69 mph
	952 ft AEG	17 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

no routes

no photosets

Linked

7 linked trail guides

Cholla Mountain Loop - MSPN

Watershed Trail - MSPN

Chuckwagon Trail - MSPN

Partners

none

no partners

Took the Cutthroat out for a gravel bike ride at Pima Dynamite. Saw some hikers nearby to Pima Dynamite trailhead and Browns Ranch trailhead. Didn't encounter any other bikers out on the trails. Stopped by Cathedral Rock for a photo op. Super fun fast flowy loop!

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Feb 01 2023

mazatzal

Routes 36
Photos 2,658
Triplogs 1,347

67 male

Joined Jul 28 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 01 2023
		mazatzal • Triplogs 1,347

Hiking	4.50 Miles	310 AEG

Hiking	4.50 Miles
	310 ft AEG

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Took a friend visiting from UK for a short hike:
Pima/Dynamite TH - Hawknest - Rock Tank - Dare a Sarah - West Express - Latigo - Sidewinder - Latigo - Pima/Dynamite TH

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1 archive

May 07 2022

Routes 189
Photos 7,244
Triplogs 1,742

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

Pima Dynamite, AZ

Mtn Biking		May 07 2022
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,742

Mtn Biking	12.60 Miles	657 AEG

Mtn Biking	12.60 Miles	2 Hrs 4 Mns		8.59 mph
	657 ft AEG	36 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

no routes

no photosets

Linked

8 linked trail guides

Snake Eyes - MSPN

Rustler Trail - MSPN

Cloudburst Trail - MSPN

Partners

none

no partners

Nice loop through McDowell Sonoran Preserve from Pima and Dynamite trailhead with Dan and Carey.

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May 22 2021

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 670
Photos 12,111
Triplogs 857

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		May 22 2021
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 857

Hiking	11.84 Miles	600 AEG

Hiking	11.84 Miles	4 Hrs 29 Mns	2.68 mph
	600 ft AEG	4 Mns Break

Linked

6 linked trail guides

Powerline Road #2 Trail - MSPN

Malpais Trail - MSPN

Partners

none

no partners

My original plans fell through to hike another section of the BCT with the I-17 lane restrictions all weekend, so I decided to head up the MSPN preserve and hike the sections of the powerline roads that I had never done yet. got started about 6:15am from Pima-Dynamite, but it felt later with the sun already above the horizon and the lot pretty full.

Just as I was starting along the Powerline Road #1, Brian was running the other way finishing up his morning run. We stopped and chatted for a few minutes and then I was on my way. I took PL Road #1, Latigo, PL Road #2, Upper Ranch, Brown's Ranch Road, Malapais, PL Road #1 again, West Express, Rawhide Wash, and PLRoad #1 straight back to the trailhead.

Biggest sight to see was the nest on Malapais Trail. I think I've seen that there last year or 2 years before. Got a good view of the mama hawk feeding her babies breakfast. the trail goes right below the saguaro they've nested in. I didn't linger too close or too long, wondering how stressful that might be for them to have the traffic below close by.

While walking in the Rawhide Wash, I thought I saw a biker zipping by the other way along the Powerline Road #1, but then I realized it was too far away to see. I turned to look and saw that it was deer running full speed. No chance at all for a picture.

Got back right around 11am and called it a day. temperature was perfect all morning, didn't even drink half my Camelbak bladder.

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Mar 27 2021

cw50must

Guides 11
Routes 2
Photos 3,776
Triplogs 334

48 male

Joined Jun 09 2009
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Mtn Biking		Mar 27 2021
		cw50must • Triplogs 334

Mtn Biking	12.50 Miles	402 AEG

Mtn Biking	12.50 Miles
	402 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

I really like biking out of the pima/dynamite trailhead at brown's ranch. There has been some construction right there and pretty sure its a new trailhead facility. That's probably known by people, but I like to guess rather than looking it up.

I'm not a huge fan of the overbuilt trailheads Scottsdale likes to build, but its a lot better than a Safeway showing up in that spot. Good ride as usual, but I wanted to report there is a huge new section of Axle grease which I use on the return to the trailhead and its awesome. I hope the trail building continues.

route; Latigo to alma school trailhead, then browns ranch road all the way around the back then west express down to axle grease.

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1 archive

Aug 29 2020

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 670
Photos 12,111
Triplogs 857

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 29 2020
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 857

Hiking	10.77 Miles	639 AEG

Hiking	10.77 Miles	4 Hrs 20 Mns	2.49 mph
	639 ft AEG

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Started from the Pima-Dynamite TH to hike a few sections of trails I noticed I hadn't got yet in this area. Headed down the Powerline Road, then left on the Hawknest, and another left onto the Rock Tank Trail. that first mile or so there were a whole lot of bikers who seemed to have all left the trailhead at the same time. After that first half hour, didn't see many people at all.

After a section of the Rock Tank, I headed northeast in the Rawhide Wash, then headed south again on the Hawknest and Scorpion Trails. Then I headed north again on the Powerline Road and did a couple more sections of the Scorpion Trail again, which I hadn't hiked before. I took the Scorpion Trail south to the West Express, then north to the Tarantula and Hackamore, hitting another section of that which I hadn't hiked before. I took the Hackamore to the Powerline Road again and then took that back to the car.

The clouds covered the sun on and off, making the temperature cooler than it's been in a while. It was still humid, but having temperatures under 100 for the whole hike was very nice. some breezes came through once in a while also, making it pretty pleasant.

got back to the trailhead with much less people there than when I arrived in the morning. Early on I saw some smoke to the north behind DEsert Mountain, maybe somewhere around 7 Springs, or south of that. By the end of my hike, the amount of smoke had grown considerably.

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May 16 2020

Booneman

Guides 9
Routes 33
Photos 780
Triplogs 4,634

44 male

Joined Nov 25 2008
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		May 16 2020
		Booneman • Triplogs 4,634

Run/Jog	12.25 Miles	410 AEG

Run/Jog	12.25 Miles	2 Hrs	6.13 mph
	410 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

I checked the last box on the Mcdowell Sonoran Preserve (covering every mile of every trail) and also went over 1,000 miles on the year. Not listed on here was the main area I needed to complete, and that was Rawhide Wash.

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1 archive

Apr 11 2020

cw50must

Guides 11
Routes 2
Photos 3,776
Triplogs 334

48 male

Joined Jun 09 2009
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Mtn Biking		Apr 11 2020
		cw50must • Triplogs 334

Mtn Biking	17.00 Miles	220 AEG

Mtn Biking	17.00 Miles
	220 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

South Diablo Trail - MSPN

Partners

none

no partners

PArked at Pima and Dynomite went up power line and then took a combination back to the parking lot. All the people were within 1/2 mile of the trailhead.

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Mar 18 2018

mazatzal

Routes 36
Photos 2,658
Triplogs 1,347

67 male

Joined Jul 28 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 18 2018
		mazatzal • Triplogs 1,347

Hiking	10.00 Miles	470 AEG

Hiking	10.00 Miles	4 Hrs 55 Mns	2.35 mph
	470 ft AEG	40 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

linked

Powerline Road #2 Trail - MSPN