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Jun 22 2024
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Horseshoe Trail - McKellipsPhoenix, AZ
Horseshoe Trail - McKellips
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 22 2024
mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387
Hiking6.49 Miles 120 AEG
Hiking6.49 Miles   2 Hrs   35 Mns   2.51 mph
120 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Second hike of my daily double. While looking at the “trails” in the area, I noticed Horseshoe Trail. After doing Nighthawk I drove over to Meridian and parked at an entry gate that I believe is where the Horseshoe Trail is indicated as starting. The Horseshoe is not a signed trail and once you pass through the entry gate there are a couple of routes you can take. One is more used than the other and is probably the Horseshoe Trail. If you truly want to follow the route, downloading the gps track is a necessity. The use trails multiply the further you proceed into the area. My objective was not to do the Horseshoe Trail, but to begin to grid the area. I took the northern most trail and slowly worked my way east eventually reaching Ironwood Rd. I then worked my way back west following other trails. I managed to cover most of the trails north of the canal. Not much to see, though still kind of interesting. Came across a shell of a car and someone’s desert artwork. Picked up a couple of bags of trash as I scoured the desert. Didn’t see anyone while out there. Wildlife included a roadrunner and a doe.
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Jun 18 2022
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 Guides 27
 Routes 669
 Photos 12,096
 Triplogs 856

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Horseshoe Trail - McKellipsPhoenix, AZ
Horseshoe Trail - McKellips
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 18 2022
DarthStiller • Triplogs 856
Hiking9.58 Miles 239 AEG
Hiking9.58 Miles   3 Hrs   31 Mns   2.72 mph
239 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I had a trip planned back to the Chiricahuas but since the forecast was calling for very likely monsoon thunderstorm activity there, I decided to cancel it and hike very close to home with easy bail points. Naturally for all my troubles, I almost got caught in a monsoon at 9am in AJ ](*,) .

Started at Prospector Park before 6am and headed west along the Horseshoe Trail, which mainly goes under the powerlines. Once I got to Ironwood Road, I headed south for a quarter mile until I got to an isolated section of trails on the other side of the drainage canal that cuts most of this area in half. I hiked those trails, then a but on the west side of Ironwood and headed back. Saw a coyote but he took off as I was trying to focus in on him.

With a mile and half left to go, I noticed that the wind had picked up and the clouds to the east were getting darker. I looked to the south, where I could see there was rainfall and at that point I saw a lightning bolt. Fantastic. I picked up the pace for the rest of the way back and fortunately avoided any close calls. Then when I got home I checked my weather app and saw very little rain activity at my originally planned hikes, and zero lightning strikes for a few hundred miles of that area ](*,) . Murphy's Law strikes again. If I would have gone, there would have been a thunderstorm there.

The clouds and breezes kept the temperature much cooler than normal for this time of year, which made this hike actually very pleasant. The clouds made for some dramatic scenery, as well.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Coyote
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Feb 19 2022
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 Guides 27
 Routes 669
 Photos 12,096
 Triplogs 856

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Horseshoe Trail - McKellipsPhoenix, AZ
Horseshoe Trail - McKellips
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 19 2022
DarthStiller • Triplogs 856
Hiking10.13 Miles 257 AEG
Hiking10.13 Miles   3 Hrs   56 Mns   2.58 mph
257 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I've seen these trails on my out to the Goldfields several times. Just flat equestrian trails in between housing developments. Not a whole lot to see, but I get bored hiking trails I've done before. Prospector Park off Idaho Road is a nearby spot that offers safe parking. I made some tracks from looking at satellite photos and went to check them out.

Started at Prospector Park and did a big CCW loop, heading SE first, then up along 88, then heading east south McKellips and back around to the park again. Decent views of the Goldfields and Superstition Mountain, although the power lines are usually close by. Only saw a group of 6 horse riders the entire time. Easy hike on flat and mostly smooth trails. There are several more miles of trails beyond what I hiked. Not in a hurry to check them all out, but it might be an option for something close by that I haven't hiked before.
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average hiking speed 2.6 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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