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| Hiking | 10.60 Miles |
1,921 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.60 Miles | 8 Hrs 39 Mns | | 1.23 mph |
| 1,921 ft AEG | | 12.5 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | 28Nov2022 - Monday; My first real hike in the nearby White Tanks Maricopa County Park, a clockwise loop that includes approximately 1,900’ of accumulated elevation gain & 11 miles in length that begins & ends at the Mesquite Canyon/Waddell trail Trailhead, 1,542’ elevation (N33° 35.551' W112° 30.664’).
Numerous Panoramic photos are featured in this photoset.
0647 - Overcast skies, 2 liters of water/electrolyte, & a lightweight long sleeve Icebreaker Merino wool top was my base layer, which is all I needed all day. With my GPS compass calibrated & my backpack shouldered I began today’s real-life outdoor adventure into the boonies, a slight refreshing breeze & temperatures in the high 50º’s.
0651 - a mere 400’ along the Waddell trail & I arrive at the Waddell trail/Mesquite Canyon trail junction, I turn left (West) & start up the Mesquite Canyon trail. (see photos)
0718/1,863’; I start up a series of switchbacks, fence has been built at several to discourage shortcutting the switchbacks
0738/2,090’; I take photos of deer. So far I’ve only seen 4 other hikers. This trail is very well maintained.
0816/2,207’; I’m at the Willow Creek trail/sign, which goes to the right. I continue straight ahead on the Mesquite Canyon trail. (see photos)
0836/2,375’; I see & take photos of more deer. Beautiful scenery at each turn of the trail & the sun is now shinning.
0950/2,856’; I arrive at the Mesquite Canyon, Ford Canyon trail junction & turn right onto the Ford Canyon trail. (see photos). At this point I’ve hiked 4.3 miles & gained approximately 1,500’ in elevation. I wanted to get most of the elevation gain at the first part of my hike which is why I’m hiking clockwise up an average 6% grade. This would be a turn around point if you wanted to hike up & back down just the Mesquite Canyon trail.
From this point I’ll hike down a series of switchbacks down to 2,523’, pass the Ford Canyon/Willow Creek trail junction then hike up to 2,822’, a distance of 1.4 miles
1028/2,558’ - I arrive at the Ford Canyon/Willow Creek trail junction. (see photos)
1101/2,822’ I top out here, from here on the trail will be mostly downhill. (see photos)
1136/2,407’ - I’ve descended approx 420’,a distance of .7 miles & reached the Ford Canyon WASH. (see photos). The was is soft & sandy, you’ll be glad if you donned a pair of Dirty Girl Gaiters to keep sand out of you boots/shoes. Keep a sharp look out for trail posts & cairns for trail guidance if you’ve not downloaded a track of this hike into your GPS off hikearizona.com.
1236/2,254’ - I reached the Dam (see photos), a distance of .9 miles & descended approx 200’ in elevation while tromping in the soft sandy soil of this WASH.
1302/2,139’ - I reached the 4mile marker, a distance of .5miles down the WASH & descended approx 120’ in elevation. (see photo).
1307/2,112’ - a mere 5 minutes later is where I miss a trail sign off to the right & mistakenly continue down the wash. This an easy mistake, enter these co cords into your GPS (N33° 36.664' W112° 32.473’) they are the co ords of the trail signpost you want to look for, it will take you out of the WASH & up onto a narrow trail built into a vertical rock wall.
1337/2,054’ - Thanks to the track I downloaded off hikearizona.com I scramble out of the canyon & up onto the narrow trail some 40’ above me.
The narrow trail that was built along the vertical rock face is something you will well remember. It will be part of a hike you will eagerly look forward to hiking again.
1416/1,729’ - Down the narrow trail along the vertical rock wall, down to a normal trail & a warning sign, a distance of .8 miles.
1420/1,689’; Arrived at 3 mile marker. (see photos). I’m now hiking along a normal scenic trail.
1457/1,625’; Arrived at Ford Canyon/Waddell trail junction. Ford Canyon trail turns left, I continue straight ahead on the Waddell trail.
1527/1,532’; I arrive back at the trailhead/parking area, shed my back pack & head for the restrooms which are clean, fully stocked, indoor plumbing with flush toilets, real mirrors, ceramic fixtures & an electric blow dryer after washing my hands. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
. 49 hikers and 1 brave biker. No wildlife.
Secondly, had to get some work done today before packing for the next canyon trip, so busting pumpkin was the order of the day. Two hours to the summit and then the bonsai descent (as in harmony, inner peace and balance). I followed t_g's meandering 2013 route, not bad, but I'd rather hike almost any trail in the Supes, rather then trek in the White Tank again (mainly because of the longer drive, I may eat crow on this point). Finally, I thought it was appropriate to summit Goldwater Peak today, the day after the Republican's mostly lousy election performance. Although, yesterday wasn't quite as bad as Barry's 1964 loss... 
