Andrews - Kinsey Trail MSP • Hike • Arizona • Crzy4AZ's Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Feb 06 2015

Crzy4AZ

Guides 31
Routes 135
Photos 2,699
Triplogs 615

52 female

Joined Apr 02 2007
Scottsdale, AZ

Andrews - Kinsey Trail MSP

Phoenix, AZ

Andrews - Kinsey Trail MSP

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 06 2015
		Crzy4AZ • Triplogs 615

Hiking	7.57 Miles	1,540 AEG

Hiking	7.57 Miles	3 Hrs 17 Mns	2.86 mph
	1,540 ft AEG	38 Mns Break

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Sunrise Trail - MSP

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I saw a post on Instagram about a loop hike from Sunrise TH using Andrews-Kinsey and the Ftn Hills Preserve trails --- so I studied the FH maps and found a route that I thought would be all legal and all on sanctioned trails.

But . . . it was not. So don't copy my GPS route. But if you want to do this route you better get out and do it fast before construction starts on the private land at the edge of Ftn Hills Preserve. That construction will partially ruin the view from Sunrise trail looking down into Adero Canyon. And the new neighborhood will definitely change the view from Andrews-Kinsey trail looking into the canyon - - so get out and enjoy before it's ruined.

Parked at Sunrise TH 145thStreet and went up to Andrews-Kinsey (did not go to Sunrise Peak). Took AK to the end of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve portion - - then continued into the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve portion until I came upon a FHMMP sign for Adero Canyon overlook. There's a nice shaded bench and I stopped for lunch. Then took Western Loop trail south to Promenade trail which leads to the well-marked end of FHMMP and start of private land. On the Ftn Hills maps I could not see this distinction in my planning and I saw a big star for "Future Trailhead" and a black-dash trail named "Old Jeep Trail".

This future trailhead will not happen - - and the Old Jeep Trail on their maps is all do-not-trespass private land that is marked for construction already. Lots of survey markers around and tags for trees and cactus to preserve. I continued on Old Jeep Trail until it hit the neighborhood -- and then saw clear signs that said any biking or walking past that point would incur a $250 fine. I proceeded at my own risk and thought I would be following a yellow line trail (turned out that the yellow line was a border between Fountain Hills city limits and Scottsdale) - - so I stuck to sidewalks instead and made it back to my car uneventfully.

Next time I'll do this as a 2-car shuttle with one car at Golden Eagle TH and one at Sunrise TH. All the map reading and reviewing made me appreciate even more the full protection of the MSP and such a contrast to the FHMMP. "A tale of two Preserves". Stark contrast between the tiny FHMMP with basically no access unless you live in those gated neighborhoods or you hike through MMRP trails from Golden Eagle to get to them. And the MSP which has huge parking areas and lots of access points and truly belongs to the tax-paying citizens of Scottsdale that voted twice to protect the land via self-tax.

Unfortunately the Ftn Hills construction that will take place adjacent to their tiny Preserve will impact views and sounds from Sunrise trail soon.

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Sep 13 2014

Crzy4AZ

Guides 31
Routes 135
Photos 2,699
Triplogs 615

52 female

Joined Apr 02 2007
Scottsdale, AZ

Andrews - Kinsey Trail MSP

Phoenix, AZ

Andrews - Kinsey Trail MSP

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Sep 13 2014
		Crzy4AZ • Triplogs 615

Hiking	8.40 Miles	1,520 AEG

Hiking	8.40 Miles	2 Hrs 58 Mns	2.83 mph
	1,520 ft AEG

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Sunrise Peak from 145th Street

Sunrise Trail - MSP

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GI Jones

Fresh off my graduation ceremony to become a MSC Steward (McDowell Sonoran Conservancy) - I was all pumped up from reading about all the new trails and ones to come - and we had a babysitter for the night. So we did a very ambitious hike but got to check out the brand spanking new Andrews-Kinsey trail. It's on the newly printed August 2014 MSP trails of the Southern Region but you can't find info on it anywhere else yet.

I was pretty tired when we hit the Scenic Point on the new trail but was determined to get the whole route for HAZ! Saw mushrooms on the trail edge (a first). And I'm pretty sure we saw a badger hole (see pics). Ballsy for me to say that but it was clearly an animal excavating with the pile of trailings and the width and depth of the hole fits badger description. Of course only one has been seen in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in the last 30 years - - so there's also a good chance that I'm wrong. But I'm throwing it out there

We hiked after sunset (obviously) which is against MSP rules and a clear violation of Steward behavior. I don't know how to justify it except that I really, really wanted to hike and needed that GPS route for HAZ. I'll do better next time with rule bending. And I didn't have on my blue shirt, and I felt really guilty about it - and the risk is mostly on me to encounter an animal after dark.

Inhaled dinner at Pita Jungle including dessert. What a day. :y:

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Unidentified Mushroom or Fungi

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Badger

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Camelback Mountain Sunrise Peak - McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Sunset

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3 archives

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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