Maverick Mountain 4604 - Tonto NF • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Dec 14 2023

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,762

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Maverick Mountain 4604 - Tonto NF

Phoenix, AZ

Maverick Mountain 4604 - Tonto NF

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 14 2023
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,762

Hiking	14.58 Miles	3,356 AEG

Hiking	14.58 Miles	9 Hrs 11 Mns		1.90 mph
	3,356 ft AEG	1 Hour 30 Mns Break	11 LBS Pack

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joebartels

We noticed this peak on a previous hike in the area to the 3 Granite Mountains.

The stars aligned and the weather cooperated for an attempt. The route I had drawn up had it at 13.5 miles. So how tough could it be.

We started at 35 degrees on a road walk of FR3456 to gain some elevation. Not an easy road walk by any means, roller coastering very steeply and loosely. Fall colors were just begining in the washes. We took this until a turnoff onto a motorcycle trail that was just as bad/worse, being deeply rutted and steep in many spots.

The fun began where we left the trail and began our climb to the peak. At one point it was 10am, 1.8 miles from the top, and Joe said, "Looks like we're having an early lunch today up top".

To avoid a side hill traverse, we opted to climb the 4403 butte and then drop back down to make the climb to the peak. The theme of the day... The down climbs were slow, scary, and slippery. There was a lot of butt scooting as is evidenced by all the rips in the back of my pants.

Climbing to the peak was very slow going, but not too bad. We gained the top from the north.
1 hour and 45 minutes, to go 1.8 miles and we were up top enjoying lunch. The views up top were incredible. Bartlett Lake was below us, Horseshoe off in the distance, the air was very clear for viewing.

[ youtube video ]

After lunch, we retreated to the south off the peak. Per the theme of the day, slooow.

We continued down the ridge line with the theme repeated 3 more times.

We hit a motorcycle trail for a 1/4 mile before we hopped into Maverick Spring Canyon for the return to the car.

We saw 4 whitetails (one buck that we jumped close to us, while going through some thick brush).
Lots of curious cows and one huge scary mean bull that let us pass unscathed.

Perfect temps for this hike. We were both totally spent after this hike.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Crimson Monkey Flower

Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate
The Cottonwoods are just starting to turn

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
a few white, yellow, red flowers

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

2 archives

Dec 14 2023

joebartels

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Maverick Mountain 4604 - Tonto NF

Phoenix, AZ

Maverick Mountain 4604 - Tonto NF

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 14 2023
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	14.20 Miles	3,334 AEG

Hiking	14.20 Miles	9 Hrs 11 Mns	1.95 mph
	3,334 ft AEG	1 Hour 55 Mns Break

Linked

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no linked trail guides

Partners

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The_Eagle

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

Park and start on FR3456 and head up FR1333. Nippy morning but heading straight up the hands were warm by 1.3 miles. The road has a split personality of a luge that is coated in ball bearings

4 miles: this is one impressive road walk! The desert is pristine compared to what you'll see roadside anywhere else north of Casa Grande.

Maverick from the east was class 3. It potentially could have been tedious without the 2012 Charley Fire. The 2023 Diamond Fire only snagged a 0.75-mi stretch of our loop SE of Maverick.

A good chunk of the off-trail heading up was enjoyably easier than the rollercoaster-rutted road. Lunch at the summit was divine: fab weather, multiple lakes along the Verde River, and topography galore

Slo-mo Sonoran glissading became a skillset heading down. The single-handed trick was to grip-n-slide a rock for the steering point of contact. LNT is not applicable within a half mile of a motorcycle trail.

We returned via Brush Corral Canyon. The first time I've ever enjoyed miles of sand. It was all descending. Clockwise woulda been a nightmare.

Synopsis
I enjoyed the hike despite the steep slopes and miles of ankle busters. No desire to hit it again. An agile hiker would have blazed through the areas that got on my nerves. The company was great, nobody else could have handled the whining.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Arizona Sycamore

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Indian Spring Peak Log Corral Spring Maverick Mountain

Autumn Foliage Observation Light
Most of the cottonwoods were prime. A few willows oo.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
One yellow flower
One white flower
One hanging garden red flower

	Log Corral Canyon	Light flow	Light flow
	Unbelievable there was anything, flowing after a dry period.

	Log Corral Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	Just like Hawaii, water everywhere

_____________________

- joe

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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