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| Hiking | 9.19 Miles |
882 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.19 Miles | 2 Hrs 49 Mns | | 3.26 mph |
| 882 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | One of my current projects is to hike or bike all 240 miles of the Maricopa Trail. My other current projects are the Black Canyon Trail and General Crook Trail, plus the C&O Canal Towpath (in Maryland). I hope to also complete the General Crook Trail in 2024, and the other three trails in 2023. We shall see ...
I started behind the visitors' center, along the packed gravel path, past the mosaics. The final mosaic is a compass set in the ground. Right is to the desert tortoise enclosure. Go left to the Quail Trail, which starts past the portapotty & picnic table, across the access road.
The highlight of Quail Trail is just off trail to the right: Behind a corrugated metal tank, are the ruins of what I believe is a camp site, not a ranch. I say camp site because there is a grill, barbecue and short retaining wall (with no foundation). There are two small cement bolt supports, but no indication what they once held. Amongst it all is some rock art, though nothing as extensive as Sundad.
The rodeo arena -- which was there a year ago -- is gone. There are no more fences, bleachers or horses for rent. Nothing except the restroom building. (Which is the cleanest trailhead facility I’ve ever been in.)
Gadsden Trail has seen numerous small mountain bike-optimized reroutes since I first hiked it over a decade ago. Where new track intersects old, there is always some sort of sign indicating which way to go.
When I started hiking the temps were in the 30s, but I was generating enough body heat I was never uncomfortable. (Which sure beats the -19℉ at Mormon Lake.) 
Small planes were flying overhead all morning — they apparently use the stone X as a navigation aid — but what really get my attention was the loud roar of F-35s at Luke Air Force Base, 12 miles away. I’ve heard the F-35s as far away as North Mountain!
Not sure why Maricopa County trail planners didn’t take advantage of the straight shot to PIR. Instead, Desert Rose Trail is switchbacked up a 240 ft. hill.
I’ve been trying to do more hikes wearing a Camelbak, rather than carrying hiking poles and carrying a full pack, and it paid off today: I was able to hike from Estrella Mountain Regional Park to Phoenix International Raceway in a quite speedy 3.26 mph.
Hike Video: https://vimeo.com/782357965 |
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Wildflowers Observation None
Creosote were doing okay. Found exactly one scorpionweed. Nothing else. |
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| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
(All Maricopa County Parks change their hours to 5am May 1st 
). The Maricopa Trail is well marked within the park system. All trail junctures have Maricopa Trail signs with arrows guiding you on which trail to take. Starting at the Quail Trail, I took that in to the Rainbow Valley. I turned east on the Rainbow for about .8 miles until I reached the Toothacher. Just on the Toothacher for a short time to connect to the Butterfield Trail. The Butterfield took me east and south to connect to the Gadsden Trail. And then I only had to go about 1.7 miles to reach where I left off on my last Maricopa Trail hike. In total, it was about 4.65 miles to reach this point. Returned the way I came. Great temps today. Some nice color to the sky, but unfortunately I wasn’t out early enough to catch it. No wildlife, though I did see a roadrunner on the drive in. 
Encountered 7 hikers.
Route 
