Pass Mountain Loop Trail #282 • Hike • Arizona • kingsnake's Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Mar 16 2018

kingsnake

Guides 117
Routes 339
Photos 11,415
Triplogs 895

63 male

Joined Dec 20 2010
Sunnyslope, PHX

Pass Mountain Loop Trail #282

Phoenix, AZ

Pass Mountain Loop Trail #282

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 16 2018
		kingsnake • Triplogs 895

Hiking	8.21 Miles	977 AEG

Hiking	8.21 Miles	2 Hrs 58 Mns	2.77 mph
	977 ft AEG

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I planned to hike Black Canyon Trail today, as the segments north of Rock Springs Cafe are an underrated source of beautiful spring flowers, in quantity, quality and variety: Chuparosa, lupine, fairy duster, wiry lotus, lily, buckhorn cholla, and more!

Thursday at noon, my shuttle hike fell through. Not wishing to do an 22 mile out & back, I had to scramble for an alternative. This was it.

Eight years ago, as Pass Mountain Trail #282 squeezed between the archery range and the mountain’s lower slopes, it was often deeply eroded. Now, it is pristine. Wide & smooth. Even the cholla don’t seem as bad. There are several memorial benches for older folks to rest on. There’s also a lot of saguaro, more than anywhere else in the park. Many of the saguaro are quite spectacular, including one specimen that I swear had two dozen arms on it.

I stopped at the Viewpoint to take in the fantastic 240° views: Southwest, across Mesa, to the Sierra Estrella 40 miles away; 13 miles northwest, across Fountain Hills, to the McDowell Mountains; 21 miles northeast to Four Peaks; and just a few miles east to the Goldfield Mountains. That small mountain, all by itself a mile north, is the appropriately named Lone Mountain.

The section between the Viewpoint and the Saddle is the most isolated, least travelled, part of 282, so of course I encountered Loud Phone Talker.

I forgot to look for the geocache at the Saddle.

From the Saddle back to Wind Cave Trailhead was a trudge; exercise, nothing more. (Other than being amused by Cat Peaks being named "peaks".)

I only saw three flowers all day.

Hike Video: [ youtube video ]

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Chuparosa Ocotillo Saguaro

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Trail Signs and Markings

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Dome Mountain Four Peaks Goldfield Mountains McDowell Mountains Pass Mountain Usery Mountains

_____________________

http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored.

1 archive

Dec 04 2010

kingsnake

Guides 117
Routes 339
Photos 11,415
Triplogs 895

63 male

Joined Dec 20 2010
Sunnyslope, PHX

Pass Mountain Loop Trail #282

Phoenix, AZ

Pass Mountain Loop Trail #282

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 04 2010
		kingsnake • Triplogs 895

Hiking	7.40 Miles	1,020 AEG

Hiking	7.40 Miles	2 Hrs 30 Mns	2.96 mph
	1,020 ft AEG

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Usery Mountains -- Pass Mountain Trail

Directions: East on Red Mountain Fwy (Loop 202). Exit 23A. South on Power Rd. East On McDowell, 3 miles. North on Ellsworth Rd, 1.5 miles. Right into park. $6 entrance fee. Go a mile, turn left on Wind Cave Dr.

Report

Time out: 10:00 a.m. Weather: Partly cloudy, upper 60s. About 25m past trailhead, Pass Mountain Trail intersects Wind Cave Trail. Turn left (north) onto Pass Mountain Trail. Trail skirts the northwest edge of the mountain, gradually gaining altitude while dipping into frequent arroyos. Trail is very narrow, with frequent erosion. Lots of cactus close to the trail. (As elsewhere at Usery, watch out for Cholla spike balls on the ground, so you don't get stabbed through your shoe.) After about 3 km, you will reach lookout point, with great views of western Saguaro Lake and distant Fountain Hills. After lookout point, trail is closer to the mountain, and so more "ledgey" as you cross through small, shaded, east side canyons. Terrain in the valley changes from desert to grasslands, with a distant cholla forest. This is my favorite part of the trail, as it is the furthest from civilation. Quiet, cool, beautiful, and away from most other hikers. Just before Goldfield Saddle, the halfway point, is an open area that would make a good group rest stop. The saddle's down slope is narrow slick rock, with a steep slope to your right side. Watch your footing. Trail also becomes much rockier, with 1-3" rocks that could easily turn an ankle. The next several kilometers sees a lot more foot traffic coming up from the Meridian Rd. trailhead on the southeast corner of Pass Mountain. Veer right (west) where this trail joins the one you are on. (The junction is unmarked.) Traffic gets much less as you head towards Cat Peaks, the little nubs just south of Pass Mountain. Just before you reach the horse trailer trailhead, turn north. Trail begins a gentle ascent, but a very smooth surface, back to the Wind Cave trailhead. Time In: 12:49 a.m. Duration: 2h 49m. Hike time, minus breaks: 2h 30m. Distance: 11.9 km. Pace: 4.76 km/h.

References

Usery Mountain Weather
Park Site
Map

_____________________

http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored.

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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