Talon Trail • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Usery Spur - Maricopa Trail

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 23 2024
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	9.98 Miles	874 AEG

Hiking	9.98 Miles	3 Hrs 52 Mns	2.58 mph
	874 ft AEG

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Moon Rock Trail

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Stayed close to home because of the plans for this weekend. Started from Area 10 in Usery and took Blevins, Chain Fruit, Talon, then some unmarked biker trails at the north end of Talon, Pass Mt. Loop, Talon, Lost Sheep, Moon Rock, and Blevins again back to the TH. Saw a couple hawks early on. At the very start a herd of coyotes started howling for a bit. Typical mix of hikers and bikers on the trail, mostly bikers. Weather got a little warm, but not hot. At the north end with the unmarked trails I hiked one that I hadn't hiked before, which I always like.

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Aug 11 2024

wallyfrack

Routes 93
Photos 7,758
Triplogs 1,691

64 male

Joined Mar 11 2003
AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 11 2024
		wallyfrack • Triplogs 1,691

Hiking	5.17 Miles	1,054 AEG

Hiking	5.17 Miles	2 Hrs 7 Mns	2.46 mph
	1,054 ft AEG	1 Min Break

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Tortoise_Hiker

An early morning hike with the Turtle. We got to the entrance early and it seemed to open but the line was stopped. After waiting a bit Denny when around the so we could still get an early start. I used my head lamp for a little while so we wouldn't step on any trail sleepers but after a short time the trail was easy to see. The temperature was nice with shade and an occasional breeze but the humidity made it a but sticky. Good trail conditions and not too crowded so a good as can be for August. Thanks for the hike Denny.

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2 archives

Aug 11 2024

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

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 11 2024
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	5.17 Miles	1,054 AEG

Hiking	5.17 Miles	2 Hrs 7 Mns	2.46 mph
	1,054 ft AEG	1 Min Break

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wallyfrack

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Once the gate opened we waited in line at the guard shack for a few minutes. Then we realized nobody was working the guard shack. We went around as we had a park pass. Wally and I started from the C&D parking lot. Wally used his headlamp for a few minutes and that’s all we needed. We went up Talon to Pass Mountain loop and over to Wind cave. Nice 5 mile sweat fest!! Not to crowded. Had darkness or shade for all but about 5 minutes of the hike. Nice to get a hike in with Wally.
Like HAZ, he rocks!!

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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

2 archives

May 14 2024

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

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		May 14 2024
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	5.90 Miles	422 AEG

Hiking	5.90 Miles	2 Hrs 16 Mns	2.60 mph
	422 ft AEG

no routes

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Desert Hawk Loop - Usery

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I wandered around some of the flatter trails at Usery today. It was a seeing what condition my condition was in wander after falling the other day.

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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

Apr 22 2024

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

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 22 2024
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	5.30 Miles	1,037 AEG

Hiking	5.30 Miles	2 Hrs 2 Mns	2.61 mph
	1,037 ft AEG

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Woke up early so thought I would get an early start from the c and d parking. My mistake as the gate doesn’t open until 6am. 5am open begins in May.
I was still able to get 3.5 miles in before the sun found me. The Brittlebush were hanging on with some Ocotillo and a couple Saguaros blooming as well. Nice outing!

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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

1 archive

Mar 31 2024

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 31 2024
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	6.10 Miles	890 AEG

Hiking	6.10 Miles	2 Hrs 51 Mns	2.14 mph
	890 ft AEG

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After the hike up to Ord the day before, I was expecting to be pretty sore the next morning. To my surprise, when I got out of bed, I had no limp or soreness. I got a bit of a late start since we had guests the night before. I had the intention to get to the Wind Cave, but with the late start and taking a roundabout route of 2 miles before I got the Wind Cave Trail, it was 10am and I still had nearly a half mile to go. I didn't want to be out past noon so I bailed. I was wanting to get 1000' AEG and ended up with 800, so I wasn't all that disappointed. The morining rain storms passed thru so it was raining on and off the entire time. Low clouds made for some interesting pics.

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Feb 28 2024

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

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 28 2024
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	5.33 Miles	1,054 AEG

Hiking	5.33 Miles	1 Hour 57 Mns	2.73 mph
	1,054 ft AEG

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I hiked the Wind Cave Trail from the C&D parking area to get in a couple extra miles. I started about a half hour before sunrise with cool temps. With the help of the mountain I had shade for the first 4 miles. Enjoyable outing!

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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

Feb 11 2024

johnlp

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

68 male

Joined Mar 16 2008
chandler,az

Usury Mountain Regional Park, AZ

Hiking		Feb 11 2024
		johnlp • Triplogs 5,208

Hiking	10.94 Miles	699 AEG

Hiking	10.94 Miles	3 Hrs 21 Mns	3.35 mph
	699 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

8 linked trail guides

Moon Rock Trail

Levee Trail - Usery

Spillway Trail - Usery

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trekkin_gecko

I had not hiked the southern trails in Usery before. Pretty flat. Beautiful desert.
Frosty as we started and there was even a little ice out there.
Lots of bunnies and birds observed, including a Harris hawk on a saguaro.
Good hike. Thanks Kelly.

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“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson

Feb 11 2024

trekkin_gecko

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

67 female

Joined Nov 17 2008
phoenix, az

Usury Mountain Regional Park, AZ

Hiking		Feb 11 2024
		trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,660

Hiking	11.00 Miles	699 AEG

Hiking	11.00 Miles	3 Hrs 22 Mns	3.35 mph
	699 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

Linked

8 linked trail guides

Moon Rock Trail

Levee Trail - Usery

Spillway Trail - Usery

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johnlp

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

john and i sampled some of the easier trails at usury
got going around 0700 from the visitor's center
half of the trails were new to me, most of them for john
some frost on the vegetation, ice in the channel along levee trail
enjoyed the walk through the desert
lots of healthy saguaros, plenty of cholla
saw a few hikers and bikers, birds and bunnies
heard some coyotes howling
nice morning, thanks john

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hazhole

Dec 29 2023

pseudalpine

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

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Usery Spur - Maricopa Trail

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 29 2023
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking	12.97 Miles	2,249 AEG

Hiking	12.97 Miles	4 Hrs 39 Mns	2.97 mph
	2,249 ft AEG	17 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

10 linked trail guides

Pass Mountain Summit 3127

Wind Cave from Usery Road

Merkle Memorial Trail

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If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all.
Thumper

7 archives

Oct 06 2023

mt98dew

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

55 male

Joined Oct 24 2010
Phoenix,Az

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Oct 06 2023
		mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387

Hiking	6.05 Miles	206 AEG

Hiking	6.05 Miles	1 Hour 34 Mns	3.86 mph
	206 ft AEG

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no photosets

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First part of a Daily Double. Needed to do Talon Trail to “complete my set” of the Usery Park trail system. Started from the TH off of Usery Pass Rd. Compared to some of my more recent trails this is one of the smoothest and more rock-free trails I’ve been on. The trail does a nice job of weaving slowly up the slopes as it joins with Pass Mountain trail. The foliage out there looks pretty healthy for the dry monsoon we just had. Some nice sized chain fruit chollas, ocotillo and saguaros. (Though I did see two giant sized saguaros that had collapsed this summer). I was surprised to discover that where the north segment of the Talon connect with the Pass Mountain trail is the high point for this in and out. From this juncture the trail gradually descends until reaches the south segment of the Talon, where that segment continues to descend as it makes its way to the Chain Fruit trail. I hiked out to this juncture and then returned the way I came, checking out the C/D Group Area on the way. With its gradual inclines and smoothness, this trail “begs” to be run. So on the way back I did a slow jog to scratch that itch.

Weather was gorgeous. Very breezy. Nice! There were a few clouds in the sky which the sun painted in pinks and orange. Very nice! Minimal traffic. One trail runner on the Pass and 4 hikers coming up on the Talon as I was heading out. Wildlife included 6 rabbits and my second bobcat sighting.

Doesn’t get much better.

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Jul 08 2023

adilling

Guides 2
Routes 267
Photos 9,816
Triplogs 402

62 male

Joined Dec 02 2014
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jul 08 2023
		adilling • Triplogs 402

Hiking	4.68 Miles	715 AEG

Hiking	4.68 Miles	2 Hrs 25 Mns	2.40 mph
	715 ft AEG	28 Mns Break

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Summertime heat makes for early starts. I set off thinking about doing the loop from Usery Pass Road, but I cut it short and made it an out and back.

It was actually cool in the wash when I started from the TH, but that changed to hot and then hotter. I was lucky to get a serenade from some coyotes at the start. The sunrise was very mild with the cloudless skies.

I hiked the loop clockwise for a couple of miles and then turned around. On the way back, I opted to hike down to the Talon Trail and take that back to the road. Never been on that one.

A came across some trailrunners, a handful of mountain bikers and 4-5 groups of hikers. More than I expected, but they probably had the same idea that I had to get in a hike before the heat really kicked in.

My knee is slowly getting better, but I stilll need to take it easy or I will erase all the progress I’ve made.

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"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling

Jun 10 2023

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

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jun 10 2023
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	3.40 Miles	289 AEG

Hiking	3.40 Miles	1 Hour 11 Mns	2.87 mph
	289 ft AEG

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I got to the park at 4:58. Electronic gate opened at 5:00. I started at the staging area parking lot. Went clockwise on Pass Mountain Loop. Took it to the first left turn on Talon. Half a mile down Talon I noticed a connector trail to the group picnic area. I don’t remember that here last time. It has about 50 parking spots. I figure if you wanted to get extra mileage when doing Wind Cave you could park at the group C/D parking and take Talan to Wind Cave trailhead. It would add about a mile each way. Also if Wind Cave parking was full this could be an alternative for that or the Pass Mountain loop hike.
I took Talan down to Chainfruit trail and took a left over to Blevins. Took it back to the staging area parking. Saw a few hikers and bikers here and there.
White Wing Dove where having a party on the Saguaro’s. Enjoying the fruit. I saw what I think was a Harris Hawk sitting on a nice Saguaro nest.
Being on the west side of the mountain kept me in the shade for almost an hour which was nice. I saw 4 Mule Deer on the drive out of the park.
Nice to get out! Have a nice weekend, my friends!

_____________________

Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

1 archive

Jun 06 2023

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

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jun 06 2023
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	3.30 Miles	152 AEG

Hiking	3.30 Miles	1 Hour 23 Mns	2.39 mph
	152 ft AEG

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I wandered around for a little while at Usery park.
The white wing dove were enjoying the Saguaro fruit. A hawk sat it the picnic area looking for rodents scavenging. A quail held his lookout for the others. A cottontail enjoyed the morning temps. A mule deer beat me at a staring contest. Enjoyable leg stretcher.

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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

Jan 09 2023

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

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 09 2023
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	5.05 Miles	416 AEG

Hiking	5.05 Miles	1 Hour 53 Mns	2.68 mph
	416 ft AEG

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I did a Talon loop. I used Lost Sheep, Chainfruit and Ellsworth. It was about 5 miles. The Talon portion including the part it shares with the Pass Mountain Loop is just under 3 miles. My track is just for that part of my hike. I consider that the Talon trail.

My track went south to north.

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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

3 archives

Dec 10 2022

LindaAnn

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

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 10 2022
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600

Hiking	7.46 Miles	1,657 AEG

Hiking	7.46 Miles	4 Hrs 20 Mns	2.03 mph
	1,657 ft AEG	39 Mns Break

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realm09

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Started on the Talon Trail from Usery Rd. Nice new trail, but seems to meander a bit more than necessary. The girls (Reagan and her friend, Hannah) led the way. Headed south on Pass Mtn Loop, then up Wind Cave. Less hikers on that portion than I was expecting, saw nobody else beyond the cave. After Wind Cave, we headed up to the ridgeline. I was slightly concerned about finishing before dark, so we skipped the south summit and I tried to keep everyone moving. Everyone enjoyed the scramble across the ridgeline, with a short break at the summit. The descent off the cliff bands on the north end was tedious as usual on the gravel, but nobody slipped. Finished up just after sunset.

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Sunburst

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Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Dec 04 2022

adenium

Guides 4
Routes 93
Photos 302
Triplogs 697

51 male

Joined Jul 05 2008
Gilbert, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 04 2022
		adenium • Triplogs 697

Hiking	8.76 Miles	1,194 AEG

Hiking	8.76 Miles	3 Hrs 15 Mns	2.70 mph
	1,194 ft AEG

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My annual circumambulation of Pass Mtn. This year I mixed it up by starting at the trailhead just north of the park off Usery Pass Rd. I was immediately surprised to find a new trail had been put in (Talon Trail). I checked some maps and sure enough, it would be a nice route to finish the loop. Went around the mountain clockwise, and was treated to some great low hanging clouds over Bulldog Canyon. The saddle on the Pass Mtn Trail was completely shrouded in fog. Ended the walk on the Talon Trail backd to my car.

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Nov 23 2022

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 23 2022
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	10.27 Miles	1,170 AEG

Hiking	10.27 Miles	4 Hrs 18 Mns	2.41 mph
	1,170 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

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I noticed Denny's triplog 2 weeks ago about the new Talon Trail and decided to go out and do some exploring. This trail seems to coincide with the Pass Mountain Trail for about a half mile and has north and south lone segments. The south segment starts at Chain Fruit and heads NE to Pass Mt, then the north segment heads NW to Usery Pass Road, where there is a trailhead.

I started from the parking lot along Blevins Drive and took Blevins and Cherub Fruit to the south end of Talon. Then on Pass Mt I took that north to the MT spur trail to the 1st junction and headed back. I noticed a new unmarked trail that basically parallels or braids the existing official MT.

On the way back I took the north segment of the Talon to Usery Pass Road and looped back to Pass Mountain and headed back.

Saw 2 deer at the south end of the Talon but they were gone by the time I got my camera out.

Traffic on the trails was fairly light, but for a Wednesday a bit busy, probably due to the holiday.

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Nov 07 2022

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

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 07 2022
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	4.50 Miles	329 AEG

Hiking	4.50 Miles	1 Hour 46 Mns	2.55 mph
	329 ft AEG

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