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Bursera Canyon - 11 members in 96 triplogs have rated this an average 3.3 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
96 triplogs
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Sep 02 2025
avatar

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

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Gila - Bursera Canyon loop, AZ 
Gila - Bursera Canyon loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 02 2025
LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600
Hiking7.02 Miles 1,364 AEG
Hiking7.02 Miles   2 Hrs   57 Mns   2.42 mph
1,364 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Gila Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Canyon
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Unfortunately, I’m back in AZ for a couple of weeks. I don’t like warm temps. I don’t like the high overhead angle of the sun. I don’t like cactus or thorns. I don’t like brown or dusty dirt. I don’t like arid climates. So I decided to go do a hike in all of those things.

Started around 0515 and headed west on Gila. Back east on National and Bursera. Finished up on Bursera Canyon. Only saw one other person. Heard some owls.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
  triplog is homepage hidden for 77 hours 1 archive triplog hid 1 wk
Jun 29 2025
avatar

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

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Bursera CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Bursera Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 29 2025
mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387
Hiking4.06 Miles 1,022 AEG
Hiking4.06 Miles   1 Hour   30 Mns   2.71 mph
1,022 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Short hike at SoMo. Decided to revisit Bursera Canyon. With the new TH there is a new connector trail that leads to the Bursera Canyon Trail. Took the BC up to the ridgeline where it connects to the Bursera Trail. Followed the Bursera along the ridgeline for a short ways until I came to a connector trail that ties into the Gila Trail. It had been awhile since I had done this short segment and I thought the Gila would give me a for more tenths of a mile. Took this back towards the TH, but turned off just prior and followed the rest of the Bursera Canyon Trail to complete the loop.

Looked like it was going to be pretty sunrise, but I lost most of it to South Mountain. Very windy out this morning. No wildlife. Encountered 1 jogger and three hikers. People seemed angry today. My hellos were met with a begrudging “hrrrmmh”.
_____________________
 
May 20 2025
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 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Gila - Bursera loop, AZ 
Gila - Bursera loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 20 2025
Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652
Hiking5.24 Miles 978 AEG
Hiking5.24 Miles   2 Hrs   1 Min   2.64 mph
978 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Gila Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Canyon
Partners partners
LindaAnn
Linda was good with an early start so we hit the trail at 530! I wouldn’t want to start much later as me and heat don’t get along! 😜 Nice hike with a fair amount of shade on the climb is always welcome! Pretty quiet out there except for us chatting away!! 😁 Nice 5 miler before 8!
Thanks Linda!! Like HAZ, you rock!!
_____________________
Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
May 20 2025
avatar

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

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Gila - Bursera loop, AZ 
Gila - Bursera loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 20 2025
LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600
Hiking5.24 Miles 978 AEG
Hiking5.24 Miles   2 Hrs   1 Min   2.64 mph
978 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
Gila Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Canyon
Partners partners
Tortoise_Hiker
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Met Denny at the Bursera trailhad at 0530. We made our way over to Gila, then west. Back east on Bursera, then finished on Bursera Canyon. Good workout loop, with a decent amount of early morning shade. Zero breeze though. Good to get a hike in with Denny, and always fun conversation!
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Apr 28 2025
avatar

 Guides 94
 Routes 840
 Photos 22,055
 Triplogs 1,993

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Gila - Bursera Loop, AZ 
Gila - Bursera Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Apr 28 2025
chumley • Triplogs 1,993
Hiking7.18 Miles 1,298 AEG
Hiking7.18 Miles   2 Hrs   24 Mns   2.99 mph
1,298 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Gila Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
National Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Canyon
South Mountain 620 Trail Loop
Partners partners
LindaAnn
Linda wanted to check out the new alignment of the Gila Trail. It's currently pristine. Made my first descent on the Bursera Canyon trail. Steep but nice tread. Perfect temps and a scenic sliver moon after sunset.
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
  2 archives
Apr 28 2025
avatar

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

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Gila - Bursera loop, AZ 
Gila - Bursera loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Apr 28 2025
LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600
Hiking7.00 Miles 1,354 AEG
Hiking7.00 Miles   2 Hrs   24 Mns   2.96 mph
1,354 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
Gila Trail - South Mountain
National Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Canyon
Partners partners
chumley
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Chumley and I got started from the Bursera trailhead at 1800 and opted for a fairly easy figure 8 at the west end of the preserve. Late afternoon offered an abundance of shade as we made our way to Gila Trail and headed west. My main reason for choosing this route was to see the recently completed reroute of the west end of Gila—it’s nice.

From there, we headed east on National, then east on Bursera. Breaking the climbing into three separate sections was kind of nice, and nothing was particularly steep, so I could usually breathe. The top of Bursera Canyon is a steep descent, but who cares when you’re going downhill? Easy final mile back to the parking lot. Perfect temps made for a good workout hike. Thanks, Chumley, for joining me on this one.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Feb 06 2025
avatar

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

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Bursera CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Bursera Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 06 2025
LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600
Hiking3.45 Miles 770 AEG
Hiking3.45 Miles   1 Hour   47 Mns   2.13 mph
770 ft AEG      10 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Quick hike with the dog before it got too warm. Up Bursera Canyon, down Bursera.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Jan 04 2025
avatar

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

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Bees Knees LoopPhoenix, AZ
Bees Knees Loop
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 04 2025
LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600
Hiking7.71 Miles 1,889 AEG
Hiking7.71 Miles   3 Hrs   15 Mns   2.40 mph
1,889 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
Bursera Canyon
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Gila Trail - South Mountain
National Trail - South Mountain
Lost Mine - South Mountain
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Slight variation of Bees Knees Loop. Got the last parking space in the lot at about 0730. West on Bursera Canyon and up to Bursera. West on Bursera and then Gila.

Noticed a recently abandoned transient camp near the Gila/National junction. Texted the coordinates to a ranger for cleanup. East on National. Side trip over 2484. Down Lost Mine.

Cooler than yesterday, but still warmer than I like. Lots of people out, as expected.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Nov 18 2024
avatar

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

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Gila - Bursera Cyn loop, AZ 
Gila - Bursera Cyn loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Nov 18 2024
LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600
Hiking5.26 Miles 975 AEG
Hiking5.26 Miles   2 Hrs   18 Mns   2.41 mph
975 ft AEG      7 Mns Break
 
no photosets
Linked   linked  
Gila Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Canyon
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Cool enough for a hike with the dog. Got started shortly after 0800. Made our way to Gila and took that west. Back east on Bursera, then finished on Bursera Canyon. Good workout, enough to tire the dog for the day.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Oct 30 2024
avatar

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

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Gila - Bursera Cyn short loop, AZ 
Gila - Bursera Cyn short loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 30 2024
LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600
Hiking3.74 Miles 745 AEG
Hiking3.74 Miles   1 Hour   38 Mns   2.39 mph
745 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Gila Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Canyon
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Short loop with the dog. Reasonable temps, but she let me know a few times that it was still warm for her. Only saw a handful of people.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Sep 09 2024
avatar

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

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Bursera Bonanza, AZ 
Bursera Bonanza, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 09 2024
pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290
Hiking9.92 Miles 2,305 AEG
Hiking9.92 Miles   3 Hrs   11 Mns   3.31 mph
2,305 ft AEG      11 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Canyon
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
  1 archive
Mar 14 2024
avatar

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

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
West SoMo Loop, AZ 
West SoMo Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 14 2024
LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600
Hiking15.52 Miles 3,269 AEG
Hiking15.52 Miles   6 Hrs   21 Mns   2.50 mph
3,269 ft AEG      8 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   10 linked trail guides
Lost Mine - South Mountain
National Trail - South Mountain
Goat Hill via National West
Ranger Trail - South Mountain
Bajada Trail - South Mountain
Alta Trail
Maricopa Peak
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Gila Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Canyon
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Opted for a large loop in the western part of South Mtn. Started from the Bursera TH a few minutes after 0800 and headed up Lost Mine. East on National, with a side trip to Goat Hill. Down Ranger. Cut over to Bajada and took that to the new lot.

Paused for a moment to take a phone call from my real estate agent. She wanted to show me a house via video call at 4pm, yeah, that’ll work, as long as I don’t stop moving. Up Alta, with a side trip to Maricopa Peak. Came down the west side of Alta. Saw a transient camping near the bottom of the trail. He was kind of rude, so I texted a ranger about him. Should’ve kept his mouth shut and I would have ignored his presence.

Got onto National. I hate those western miles of that trail. Noticed a new rerouting of Gila, so I hopped onto that. It’s not fully rerouted yet, a portion still crosses private property, but it looks like they are working on it. Got onto Bursera at the big wash, then Bursera Canyon to finish out the loop. Warmer, and less clouds than I was hoping for, but a good day.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Goat Hill Cocktus
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Lupines, poppies, brittlebush, bladderpod, scorpionweed, fiddleneck, creosote, hedgehog cactus, and more.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Mar 12 2024
avatar

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

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Bursera CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Bursera Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 12 2024
mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387
Hiking4.93 Miles 1,030 AEG
Hiking4.93 Miles   1 Hour   40 Mns   2.96 mph
1,030 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Mid morning hike at SoMo. I decided to do a hike involving Bursera Canyon. I’ve done this trail once before, but have never taken credit it for it. Got to the Lost Ranch TH around 10am. Went in on Lost Ranch for .15 miles then took Bursera Canyon. Followed trail for .95 miles (1.1 total) to where the trail split. Since I had never done it before I followed the feeder trail to the community for .71 miles (1.81 total). Turn around and then took trail to the top where it connected to the Bursera trail (2.88). Elevation gain to the top was intense, as it seems to be for most of the south side trails. Took the Bursera Trail east, back to the TH. A little bit more elevation gain, but the worst was over. Decent number of people today…27 hikers, 1 jogger and 1 biker. Nice weather, but air quality was bad. Worse in the valley. Not as bad on the south side of South Mountain. Minimal wildlife. Quail and saw a chuckwalla. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen one of them.
_____________________
  2 archives
Feb 14 2024
avatar

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

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Gila - Bursera loop, AZ 
Gila - Bursera loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 14 2024
LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600
Hiking5.31 Miles 997 AEG
Hiking5.31 Miles   2 Hrs   40 Mns   2.20 mph
997 ft AEG      15 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
Gila Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Canyon
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
This one almost exactly meets my criteria for a workout hike—minimum 5 miles with 1000’ aeg. Made my way over to Gila, and headed west. Hit Bursera near the big wash and took that back east, finished on Bursera Canyon.

Saw a handful of hikers. Flowers are starting to bloom. Cool to start, warm at the finish. As usual, some ladies got offended that Harlow wouldn’t let them pet her. Happens nearly every time…
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Fiddleneck, bladderpod, poppies, and scorpionweed.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Jan 19 2024
avatar

 Guides 13
 Photos 15,617
 Triplogs 323

male
 Joined Oct 23 2010
 mesa
Bursera CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Bursera Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 19 2024
gummo • Triplogs 323
Hiking3.66 Miles 823 AEG
Hiking3.66 Miles   1 Hour   15 Mns   2.93 mph
823 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
My morning workout and working overtime minus my beauty sleep crushed me today, so I did an easier route. Decent time tho and few people on the trail
_____________________
 
Nov 01 2023
avatar

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

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Gila-Bursera short loop, AZ 
Gila-Bursera short loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Nov 01 2023
LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600
Hiking3.85 Miles 761 AEG
Hiking3.85 Miles   1 Hour   49 Mns   2.38 mph
761 ft AEG      12 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
Gila Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Canyon
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Got started around 0800 with the dog. She didn’t get her usual walk last night due to the neighborhood being swarmed with trick or treaters (I know they drive in from other parts of town) and her overwhelming desire to herd all people together not being a great mix. Plenty of energy in her this morning.

Headed west on Gila to the saddle, then up the connector to Bursera. West on Bursera, then down Bursera Canyon to complete the loop. Fairly warm on the final mile. She hadn’t been on this loop in a while, which meant lots of stopping to investigate every scent along the trail.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Oct 28 2023
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Bursera CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Bursera Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 28 2023
Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652
Hiking3.50 Miles 812 AEG
Hiking3.50 Miles   1 Hour   26 Mns   2.44 mph
812 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Partners none no partners
I got Isaac out for a little sunrise hike. We went up Bursera and back on Bursera Canyon. I was surprised to see some of the Bursera trees on Bursera Canyon leafed out nicely! all the one I have seen lately were leafless. Nice temps, hike and company! Thanks for joining me Isaac! Like HAZ, you rock!
_____________________
Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
Oct 13 2023
avatar

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

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Bursera CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Bursera Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 13 2023
LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600
Hiking3.40 Miles 780 AEG
Hiking3.40 Miles   1 Hour   42 Mns   2.52 mph
780 ft AEG      21 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Short hike with the dog. Once she realized she was back hiking in AZ, where it is hot with direct sunlight, on a trail with sharp rocks, thorns, and cactus needles, she decided she hated the whole experience. Dogs can glare, in case you didn’t know.

Anyway, west & up Bursera Canyon, then east on Bursera. Everything looks crispy. Seemed like a short section of Bursera had seen some work, less loose rock.

Chatted with a young couple out hiking with their six week old baby. Said hi to JJ from a distance. Only saw a few other hikers. We survived the short hike despite the dog’s misery.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Jun 24 2023
avatar

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

68 male
 Joined Mar 16 2008
 chandler,az
Pyramid Loop, AZ 
Pyramid Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 24 2023
johnlp • Triplogs 5,208
Hiking10.75 Miles 2,401 AEG
Hiking10.75 Miles   3 Hrs   46 Mns   2.91 mph
2,401 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked   6 linked trail guides
Lost Mine - South Mountain
National Trail - South Mountain
Goat Hill via National West
Pyramid Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Canyon
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Partners partners
Fletchkl
trekkin_gecko
Jumped in with Fletch & gecko on their early morning summer hike. Temps were un believably nice considering the date. We got started at about 5 AM.
Up Lost Mine to Goat Hill, down Pyramid, over to and up Bursera Canyon to Bursera up and down to finish.
Fun to hike with the girls. Never a dull moment. :)
_____________________
“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
 
Jun 24 2023
avatar

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

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Pyramid Loop, AZ 
Pyramid Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 24 2023
trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,660
Hiking10.73 Miles 2,298 AEG
Hiking10.73 Miles   3 Hrs   46 Mns   2.90 mph
2,298 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
Linked   6 linked trail guides
Lost Ranch Mine Trail
National Trail - South Mountain
Pyramid Trail - South Mountain
Bursera Canyon
Bursera Trail - South Mountain
Goat Hill via National West
Partners partners
Fletchkl
johnlp
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
met fletch and john at pyramid at 0500
had to park in the street since the gate wasn't open yet
the three of us did eliminator, national, pyramid
then john and i added the bursera canyon - bursera loop to get double digits
actually a bit chilly in the washes to start
saw quite a few people out
fun combo, good times
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Goat Hill Cocktus
_____________________
hazhole
 
average hiking speed 2.6 mph
1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next

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