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High Ridge Trail - Hawes - 3 members in 5 triplogs have rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
5 triplogs
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Jan 29 2026
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 Guides 42
 Routes 1,767
 Photos 15,433
 Triplogs 2,894

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Hawes Sampler, AZ 
Hawes Sampler, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 29 2026
The_EagleTriplogs 2,894
Hiking10.86 Miles 2,413 AEG
Hiking10.86 Miles   4 Hrs   35 Mns   2.59 mph
2,413 ft AEG      23 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
This was my first foray into the trail system known as Hawes.

Linda suggested the east side of the park for the better hiking country, so I put together an 11-ish mile sampler to use as our guide. We got moving around 7:00 AM just as the skies were starting to lighten. The cloudy sky, 53-degree weather, and a slight breeze made things very pleasant. There is a plethora of trails out there, so having a GPS track of your route is definitely helpful.

It’s easy to tell that the majority, if not all, of these trails were named by mountain bikers. My favorite stretches of the day were Red Mountain Rush, Peak 2972, Iron Goat, and Pure O—mainly for the views and the terrain. Pure O is a Double Black Diamond in the MTB world that I would never consider riding; it’s steep and loose with numerous jumps (including one through a tree and another that spans a 20-foot gap).

It was good catching up with Linda again. Like HAZ... oops, that’s someone else!
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
 
229044
Jan 29 2026
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 Guides 112
 Routes 2,440
 Photos 9,563
 Triplogs 2,791

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Hawes meander, AZ 
Hawes meander, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 29 2026
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,791
Hiking10.50 Miles 2,263 AEG
Hiking10.50 Miles   4 Hrs   33 Mns   2.48 mph
2,263 ft AEG      19 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Bruce and I opted for some all new to us local territory today. I'd been on some of the western Hawes trails with @tibber and Deborah about 4 years ago, but nothing on the eastern side. Bruce put together a good loop with a nice sampling of some of the eastern trails. We met at 0700 and got started, making the loop counter-clockwise. Having a track was helpful, as there are a ton of trails in this area. You could put together any combo of trails to suit whatever mileage/aeg you are looking for. Most of the trail surfaces are decomposed granite, which is prone to rutting, and the steeper sections can be slippery, but most of the time, we had good footing.

Nice clouds most of the morning, and a good breeze. It was very breezy up on 2972, and we scrambled up to the little peak just south of the high point, where there was an American flag anchored into a fancy setup with solar lights. Getting up and down 2972 was steep, but not as bad as I thought it would be. Some zigzagging on the southeast portion of the loop in order to incorporate more trails. My two favorite trails were probably Red Mountain Rush, and Iron Goat. Our final descent on Pure O did make me exclaim "wow" a few times, but mostly because I was trying not to fall. That trail is STEEP. If I tried it on a bike, I'd be dead. There was also an impressive gap for bikes to clear (at least 15') near the bottom of the trail.

Once back on level ground, it was a quick walk back to the trailhead. Nice to hike with Bruce again, and see some new trails, plus a peak. Not an area I'd hike often, but worth checking out on a weekday. Saw a lot of bikers and a few hikers. Weekends are probably awful.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Brittlebush, poppies, lupine, globemallow, Dichelostemma capitatum, scorpionweed, and more
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Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
229045
Oct 22 2025
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 Guides 44
 Routes 164
 Photos 25,780
 Triplogs 2,496

male
 Joined May 04 2004
 Mesa, AZ
High Ridge Iron Goat Cactus Nectar, AZ 
High Ridge Iron Goat Cactus Nectar, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 22 2025
CannondaleKidTriplogs 2,496
Hiking4.60 Miles 833 AEG
Hiking4.60 Miles   1 Hour   59 Mns   2.32 mph
833 ft AEG15 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
A short aerobic-workout loop from Usery Pass, out the wash, up High Ridge Trail, over to Iron Goat Trail, returning along Cactus Nectar Trail and Lance's Trail.
Encountered only two riders and three hikers.
Temps 74-80°
_____________________
CannondaleKid
 
227114
Sep 14 2024
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 Guides 2
 Routes 283
 Photos 10,310
 Triplogs 423

63 male
 Joined Dec 02 2014
 Mesa, AZ
Hawes Loop from NRA Pit Trailhead, AZ 
Hawes Loop from NRA Pit Trailhead, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 14 2024
adillingTriplogs 423
Hiking7.01 Miles 1,072 AEG
Hiking7.01 Miles   3 Hrs   45 Mns   2.15 mph
1,072 ft AEG      29 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
With my beloved Supes getting roasted by the Siphon Fire, I opted to head to the Hawes Trails and hike amongst the mountain bikers.

I wanted to go visit one of my favorite crested beauties and get in some elevation. I decided to hike over to the Red Mountain Rush trail and hike up to see it. TONS of mountain bikers. Most of them courteous, but a few seemed surprised to see me hiking up.

I made to the cactus and kept going up to the Sunset Ridge overlook and kept the loop going along the Goat Trail over to the High Ridge Trail. I contemplated hiking up to the Usery Peaks, but decided to just keep going on the loop. Once I got on the High Ridge Trail, I saw only 1 mountain biker and no other souls. It sounded like Machine Gun Day over at the Shootin’ Range, I was hoping nobody missed their targets and sent over over the mountain.

I like going down (but not up) the High Ridge Trail, it’s got nice views and is not busy at all. I made it down, crossed the wash and made my way over to Lance’s Trail to take me back to the parking area. Lots of bikes on this section.

I came across a small tortoise on Lance's Trail who seemed very stressed and scared. I took a few pictures and let him be. Probably a moody teenage mutant ninja tortoise.

I nice morning with some nice views. I hope there’s something left over in the western Supes once this fire gets contained.
_____________________
"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling
 
217841
Mar 10 2024
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,284
 Triplogs 2,482

56 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
High Ridge Trail - HawesPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 10 2024
mt98dewTriplogs 2,482
Hiking4.16 Miles 730 AEG
Hiking4.16 Miles   1 Hour   20 Mns   3.12 mph
730 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Second hike of the day. After hiking in the Goldfields I drove over to the Hawes Trail system to get some exposure to this system. I’ve been in this area a couple of times before, but I’m not very familiar with it. Parked at the Bulldog TH and did a lasso involving Lance Trail and then going clockwise on the High Ridge and then down on the Alp d’Huez trail. Nice single track trails. Very biker oriented. Saw 1 hiker and about 30 bikers. The High Ridge Trail seems to be the steeper of the two trails so most of the bikers like to come down that trail….fast. Important to keep your head up when ascending that trail. Some great views to the north and east.
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213785
average hiking speed 2.38 mph

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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