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Sunset Ridge - Hawes - 2 members in 4 triplogs have rated this an average 2 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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Apr 12 2025
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 Guides 27
 Routes 669
 Photos 12,096
 Triplogs 856

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Sunset Ridge - HawesPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 12 2025
DarthStillerTriplogs 856
Hiking12.89 Miles 1,745 AEG
Hiking12.89 Miles   5 Hrs   21 Mns   2.42 mph
1,745 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Had to get some chores done at home so I stayed local but did a little longer hike.

Started from the Ellsworth ATV TH north of Usery. Mostly shady up Alpe D'Huez until the top, then took the Goat Trail over to Sunset Ridge. The views up at the top here are really nice and underrated. You can see from Phoenix to Scottsdale, Red Mountain, Mazzie, Ord, 4Peaks and the Supes. A winter hike after a rainy day gives some great views of snow capped mountains to the north.

I hadn't done Sunset Ridge in a few years and I remembered the dicey sections. After last spring and summer of doing really steep hikes, this was a breeze this time. Because it's so steep and technical for the bikers, there's not much traffic on it.

After Sunset Ridge I took Twisted Sister over to Big Sister. Big Sister had the most traffic, all downhill speeders. I took High Horse over to the Stinger Loop and then made a wrong turn and headed west on another trail. I doubled back and got back on the Stinger Loop but took the Brush Lite Trail, which parallels the Stinger west loop and has been rerouted a bit, which I noticed only after I got home and downloaded the track on my computer.

took Scorpion Alley over to Scorpion, and then headed over to Maricopa Madness to complete the loop. These trails had much less traffic, but that may have been because it was later in the morning and getting warm.

Temperature was cool to start, and getting hot towards the end, but not that bad.
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  1 archive
Jun 05 2022
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 Guides 2
 Routes 267
 Photos 9,816
 Triplogs 402

62 male
 Joined Dec 02 2014
 Mesa, AZ
Sunset Ridge - HawesPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 05 2022
adillingTriplogs 402
Hiking1.36 Miles 858 AEG
Hiking1.36 Miles
858 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Partners none no partners
I stayed up too late Saturday night to catch the sunrise on Sunday, so I opted for a sunset hike. I wanted to explore the area north and west of the Usery Peaks, along the Sunset Ridge area. I parked at the first lot on Bush Highway east of Granite Reef and started up the Saguaro Trail. It was a hot start at 545pm, but the sun was getting close to the horizon.

I worked my way over the Twisted Sister junction and took that for a short distance until I started up the Sunset Ridge Trail. This section was steep and twisty. I am not sure I would like riding my bike down this one. I am sure there's a group of daredevil riders that enjoy that sort of trail, but it was steep going up and then back down.

I moved down a ways from the ridge to catch the sunset. It was subtle, but very nice. After sunset, I started back down the same way.

I saw a couple bikers, no other hikers, a few lizards and the assorted doves and hawks. It is dry, dry, dry out there for sure. Crunchy shrubs and golden grass.

I like this area for hiking. The trails are groomed and east to navigate. The views from the high points are very nice for sure.

A hot, short and steep one, but I will take it.
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"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling
 
Apr 23 2022
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 Guides 27
 Routes 669
 Photos 12,096
 Triplogs 856

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Sunset Ridge - HawesPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 23 2022
DarthStillerTriplogs 856
Hiking9.85 Miles 1,842 AEG
Hiking9.85 Miles   4 Hrs   50 Mns   2.04 mph
1,842 ft AEG
 
This looks like it might be the last weekend we have nice weather before the heat starts to kick in, so I decided to take advantage and hike some of the higher new trails in the Hawes Pass area.

Took the Ridge Trail to the Lower Gidro, then the Cactus Garden, Red Mtn Rush, Sunset Ridge, and Saguaro back to the Ridge Trail and back to the trailhead.

Scenery at the higher points is phenomenal. Had some climbs, but nothing seemed to strenuous.

Sunset Ridge Trail has a big sign at the top warning of steep sections and exposure, experts only, etc etc etc. Seemed a little overstated. Certainly some steep sections with scree that required caution, but no exposure. Nice to see that the sign noted to expect traffic both directions and share the trail with all users.

Very nice hike in cool weather, decent workout in terms of distance and AEG and home before noon.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Ocotillo
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Jan 10 2022
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 Guides 8
 Routes 70
 Photos 3,208
 Triplogs 273

59 male
 Joined Oct 07 2017
 Chandler, AZ
Red Mountain Rush - HawesPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 10 2022
YoderTriplogs 273
Hiking6.80 Miles 1,580 AEG
Hiking6.80 Miles   2 Hrs   36 Mns   2.85 mph
1,580 ft AEG      13 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
Partners none no partners
Red Mountain - Gemini Loop
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This was a loop hike utilizing the following trails:
1. Wild Horse Trail
2. Red Mountain Rush
3. Sunset Ridge
4. Twisted Sister
5. Back onto Wild Horse Trail

We initially wanted to do this in the opposite direction, but missed our turn off at the intersection of Twisted Sister to Sunset Ridge. This intersection is not marked, and can be missed if you are not careful. The intersection at the top of the mountain (Red Mountain Rush - Sunset Ridge) is marked. The problem is that Sunset Ridge is rated a double black diamond, so this section of the trial is best tackled going uphill, so I would recommend you doing the route in the opposite direction that we did, although doing it in the direction we did wasn't terrible, but was a little tricky in some places.


Generally a good trail, but same warnings as all the trails in this area, there are lots of bikes, so this loop is best tackled during a weekday when traffic is low, or done as a night hike.

I'll upload the gps trail, and reverse it so it shows you the direction you should head, it also includes intersection points so you don't miss your turn.
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J. Yoder
  2 archives
average hiking speed 2.44 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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