Rock Knob Trail - MSP / MMRP • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 11 2019
		Yoder

Hiking	6.50 Miles	392 AEG

Hiking	6.50 Miles	2 Hrs 50 Mns		2.67 mph

	392 ft AEG	24 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

American Crow Black-Throated Sparrow Canyon Towhee Coyote Harris Hawk House Finch Northern Mockingbird Phainopepla

Partners

none

no partners

We combined parts of the following trails to make a 7.2 mile loop. Looks like RoudyandMe pretty much covered the same loop with the exception that he didn't hid the Caballo section of the hike, but tool the Marcus trail segment, a pretty minor deviation on the loop.
Caballo Trail
Rock Knob Trail
Gooseneck Trail
County Park Connector
Pemberton Trail
Rock Knob Trail
Caballo Trail

We started break of dawn and were rewarded with the reddest sunrise I have ever seen. Over all the hike was OK. Classic flat desert scenery. Pretty good area for birds. Trails were well marked, and extremely easy to follow. You can tell the Pemberton trail is a very popular bike trail. We only ran into one pair of bikers, but that was because it was a Wednesday, and quite early. No other encounters with people on this hike, which kind of surprised me for this area, I think everyone focuses on the mountains at this trailhead, so if you want to avoid the crowds, the flatter hikes to the East and North may be a better option, although the views are not as nice.

Flora

Saguaro - Crested

Fauna

_____________________

J. Yoder

6 archives

Mar 20 2019

Sun_Ray

Routes 7
Photos 911
Triplogs 1,098

72 male

Joined Sep 09 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Gooseneck Trail - MSPC, AZ

Hiking		Mar 20 2019
		Sun_Ray

Hiking	7.32 Miles	626 AEG

Hiking	7.32 Miles	3 Hrs 23 Mns	2.54 mph

	626 ft AEG	30 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Wanted to take advantage of the cool weather and wildflower bloom. Kai and I started at Tom's Thumb Trailhead and took Marcus Landslide - Gooseneck - service road 3 - Pemberton - rock knob - ML to TH. Was disappointed in the wildflowers.... does not compare to bloom at Granite Mountain in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Longest hike of the year for me.

Wildflowers Observation Light

_____________________

Brian
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday......there is no SOMEDAY!

2 archives

Mar 17 2019

Crzy4AZ

Guides 31
Routes 96
Photos 2,637
Triplogs 600

47 female

Joined Apr 02 2007
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 17 2019
		Crzy4AZ

Hiking	2.46 Miles	310 AEG

Hiking	2.46 Miles	59 Mns	2.54 mph

	310 ft AEG	1 Min Break

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

GPS Route Recorded on Route Scout View

Working in hospital this weekend - having FOMO of spring flowers in McDowells. Not fear - actually missing out ! Scanned some hashtags on IG and went for a big patch of poppies at the base of Rock Knob then did little loop back to car.

Highlight was seeing official sign recognizing spur up to the Salt and Pepper rocks. Dug through archives to find my favorite video of that spot kids in 2013.

Happy Spring Y’all !

Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Huge patch of poppies at base of Rock Knob close to MMRP junction

_____________________

Mar 03 2019

cw50must

Guides 11
Routes 2
Photos 3,416
Triplogs 293

44 male

Joined Jun 09 2009
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Mtn Biking		Mar 03 2019
		cw50must

Mtn Biking	13.00 Miles	586 AEG

Mtn Biking	13.00 Miles

	586 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

Started up at Rio Verde rd. took Gooseneck down to Rock Knob, then left at Pemberton, connector back to Gooseneck, back to trailhead. I really enjoyed gooseneck, this trail had good flow in both directions, in fact this entire loop had good flow. The desert scenery is great right now!

_____________________

Feb 08 2019

Guides 3
Routes 22
Photos 2,169
Triplogs 233

59 male

Joined Apr 22 2012
Fountain Hills,

Wash Day plus Marcus Landslide - MMRP/MSP, AZ

Hiking		Feb 08 2019
		KBKB

Hiking	12.47 Miles	1,079 AEG

Hiking	12.47 Miles	4 Hrs 49 Mns		3.04 mph

	1,079 ft AEG	43 Mns Break	25 LBS Pack

no routes

Linked

7 linked trail guides

Mexican Gold Poppy Owl Clover

Tortoise Trail - MMRP

Partners

none

no partners

Ben, Marilyn, Mike, Bob, and Cathy joined me for a twelve and a half mile hike that took us all the way out to Marcus Landslide (starting from the Trailhead Staging Area).

Some of us saw javelina (and ravens) on our drive into the park. Later, during the hike, we saw jackrabbits, coyotes, deer, and more ravens.

We saw lots of flowers too. The poppies are especially thick in the Marcus Landslide area. The closer we got to this trail, the more poppies we saw. We saw brittlebush, lupine, fiddleneck, and owl clover too. The brittlebush seems to be drying up somewhat, whereas the fiddlenecks are just starting to emerge.

Flora

Fauna

Common Raven Coyote Jack Rabbit

Wildflowers Observation Substantial
brittlebush, poppies, lupine, owl clover, fiddleneck

_____________________

Jan 18 2019

Guides 3
Routes 22
Photos 2,169
Triplogs 233

59 male

Joined Apr 22 2012
Fountain Hills,

McDowell Meander, AZ

Hiking		Jan 18 2019
		KBKB

Hiking	12.03 Miles	823 AEG

Hiking	12.03 Miles	4 Hrs 36 Mns		3.21 mph

	823 ft AEG	51 Mns Break	24 LBS Pack

no routes

Linked

Wagner - Granite - Bluff - MMRP Loop

Delsie Trail - MMRP

Partners

none

no partners

Mike, Ben, Marilyn, Kay, Diane, and Marilyn joined me for a twelve mile hike in McDowell Mountain Regional Park and nearby McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

We hiked: Wagner, Granite, Delsie, Gooseneck, Rock Knob, Pemberton, Bluff Tr Wash, Granite, Bluff, Granite, and back on Wagner.

We saw a lot of mountain bikes out in the morning - more than usual for a Friday. There was a group at Jackass Junction (near Granite Tank) that was working on fixing a flat. There's now a bike repair station there, complete with tubes in a mailbox. It works on the honor system - you take what you need and bring back supplies when you next ride by.

Anyway... all of these trails were in great shape. The desert was incredibly green w/ lots of flowering plants too.

_____________________

Nov 16 2018

Guides 3
Routes 22
Photos 2,169
Triplogs 233

59 male

Joined Apr 22 2012
Fountain Hills,

Wagner-Delsie-Gooseneck-Rock Knob-Bluff - MMRP, AZ

Hiking		Nov 16 2018
		KBKB

Hiking	11.80 Miles	827 AEG

Hiking	11.80 Miles	4 Hrs 19 Mns		3.20 mph

	827 ft AEG	38 Mns Break	24 LBS Pack

no routes

Linked

7 linked trail guides

Delsie Trail - MMRP

Chain Fruit Cholla Chuparosa Goldeneye

Partners

none

no partners

Sara, Marilyn, Marilyn, Ben, Mike, and Nick joined me for the Friday morning hike in McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

Starting from the Wagner Trailhead, we hiked: Wagner, Granite, Delsie, Gooseneck, Rock Knob, Pemberton, Bluff Wash, Bluff, Granite, and Wagner.

We saw other hikers and some mountain bikers too.

We saw a red tail hawk while we were on the Gooseneck Trail. Near the end, we saw a bunch of ravens circling - we think that there may have been something dead or dying below them.

The wash below the Bluff Trail seemed more densely vegetated than I remember it being in the past. We also encountered a deeply eroded trench - perhaps three feet deep - that I don't remember seeing before. That was in one of the washes though. As noted in other triplogs, trails in the park are in good condition.

Flora

_____________________

Aug 10 2018

Guides 3
Routes 22
Photos 2,169
Triplogs 233

59 male

Joined Apr 22 2012
Fountain Hills,

Wagner-Bluff-Gooseneck-Pemberton - MMRP, AZ

Hiking		Aug 10 2018
		KBKB

Hiking	13.42 Miles	784 AEG

Hiking	13.42 Miles	4 Hrs 37 Mns		2.96 mph

	784 ft AEG	5 Mns Break	23 LBS Pack

no routes

Linked

Saguaro Nest Trail - MSPC

Lariat Trail - MMRP

Partners

none

no partners

Another solo Friday hike for me...

Starting from the Wagner Trailhead at McDowell Mountain Regional Park (MMRP), I hiked Wagner, left on Granite, right on Bluff, left on Pemberton, right on Rock Knob, right on Gooseneck. When I came to the county park connectors which led back into the park, I took the connector that brought me over to the Saguaro Nest Trail. I hiked a short ways on Saguaro Nest and then (finally) took the connector which brought me back into MMRP. At that point, I got back onto the Pemberton and headed east, turning right on Lariat, then left on Granite. That led me back to Wagner which led me back to my truck.

The trails were in remarkably good shape after the storm that hit the area on Wednesday evening. I didn't see much evidence of serious erosion, though it was obvious that the washes had flowed heavily for a time. I saw a significant amount of water in Granite Tank - probably the most I've ever seen in that tank.

I saw several mountain bikers early on and then one more out on Gooseneck. After that, I saw no one until I got back to the parking area. There, I saw Susan Davis, who used to hike with our group a number of years ago. She still comes to the park, but restricts herself to hiking the roads.

As I was driving out of the park, I saw a dump truck leaving after having dumped a load of sand (presumably from road cleanup) along the side of the park road near the entrance. Just outside the park, I saw other machines working on clearing the section of road where Shallmo Wash crosses the road. On Wednesday evening, I stopped to look at Shallmo Wash from the driveway connecting the Four Peaks / Horse Staging area with the main park road. It looked like a small but turbulent river.

Flora

Barrel Cactus Desert Senna Whitethorn Acacia

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Senna, Barrel Cactus

_____________________

Jan 19 2018

Guides 3
Routes 22
Photos 2,169
Triplogs 233

59 male

Joined Apr 22 2012
Fountain Hills,

Hog Heaven Loop plus a walk in the park, AZ

Hiking		Jan 19 2018
		KBKB

Hiking	11.12 Miles	2,444 AEG

Hiking	11.12 Miles	6 Hrs 13 Mns		2.36 mph

	2,444 ft AEG	1 Hour 30 Mns Break	24 LBS Pack

no routes

Linked

Hog Heaven Loop - McDowell Mountains

Partners

none

no partners

On Friday, Jan 19, I led a group of seven (counting myself) on a hike of the Hog Heaven Loop in the McDowells. Starting at the Tom's Thumb Trailhead, we hiked a very short ways on Tom's Thumb Trail, turned left onto Mesquite Canyon, and then left again on Feldspar. We then turned onto the climber's access trail that goes through Mesquite Canyon. We followed this to and then past Hog Heaven and continued up to the Thumbnail Pinnacle. We continued on along the ridge leading to the East End (peak); several of us summitted there. We returned to the Tom's Thumb Trail via yet another climber's access trail.

When we got back to the parking area, after saying our goodbyes, I headed out on Marcus Landslide, turned left onto Boulder, left onto Pemberton, and left onto Rock Knob. I then hiked Marcus Landslide until I got to the side trail leading to the prominent mushroom boulders near the Sven Slab climbing area. The trail continues on - sort of. I ended up hiking past the Energizer / Hawk boulder that I used to climb in my younger days. I followed the Sven Slab climber's access trail back to Marcus Landslide, turned left onto Feldspar, and then left again onto Tom's Thumb where I hiked up a short ways in order to reach my distance goal for the day.

It was a great day - the highlight of the day was the Hog Heaven Loop. It's a really fun loop with awesome views along the way. Route finding went really well too - but, of course, I've done it a bunch of times.

_____________________

Jan 12 2018

Guides 3
Routes 22
Photos 2,169
Triplogs 233

59 male

Joined Apr 22 2012
Fountain Hills,

Wagner-Bluff Wash-Gooseneck-Delsie Loop - MMRP, AZ

Hiking		Jan 12 2018
		KBKB

Hiking	11.77 Miles	745 AEG

Hiking	11.77 Miles	4 Hrs 8 Mns		3.07 mph

	745 ft AEG	18 Mns Break	24 LBS Pack

no routes

Linked

7 linked trail guides

Delsie Trail - MMRP

Partners

none

no partners

I led a group of 11 - counting me - on a lollilop-loop hike in McDowell Mountain Regional Park and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Starting from the Wagner Trailhead, we hiked Wagner and then Granite, crossing Stoneman Wash. Then, just as the Granite Trail starts to head south, we instead headed WSW in the wash which parallels the Bluff Trail. Although not very far from the Bluff Trail, the views within the wash are totally different due to being more enclosed. We then followed Pemberton south and then southwest to the Rock Knob Trail. Rock Knob took us to Gooseneck where we hiked to the county park connector trail that brought us back into MMRP. From there we hiked back via the Delsie, Granite, and Wagner Trails.

Trail conditions were good all around. The wash required two or three scrambling moves along the way in addition to pushing through a few bushes, but is otherwise pretty easy too.

_____________________

Dec 16 2017

BiFrost

Guides 4
Routes 361
Photos 7,752
Triplogs 924

51 male

Joined Nov 20 2012
Phoenix, AZ

Pemberton Loop via Toms Thumb TH, AZ

Run/Jog		Dec 16 2017
		BiFrost

Run/Jog	22.50 Miles	1,834 AEG

Run/Jog	22.50 Miles	4 Hrs 44 Mns	4.75 mph

	1,834 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Dixie Mine Trail - MMRP

Coachwhip Trail - MMRP

Partners

none

no partners

Trail run starting from Toms Thumb trail head down Marcus Landslide to Rock Knob and connecting to Pemberton. Continued around the Pemberton Loop to the trail head and took short break topping off water. From there looped around to the Dixie Mine Trail and then Coachwhip which goes back to Pemberton. Then to Boulder Trail and back on Marcus Landslide to finish out the loop. Met up with Angela and Kathy for tacos at Juan Jaime's afterward

_____________________

1 archive

Dec 16 2017

tibber

Guides 21
Routes 589
Photos 28,018
Triplogs 1,015

65 female

Joined Feb 26 2004
Phoenix, AZ

Marcus Landslide Clover Loop, AZ

Hiking		Dec 16 2017
		tibber

Hiking	8.17 Miles	1,040 AEG

Hiking	8.17 Miles	3 Hrs 35 Mns	2.39 mph

	1,040 ft AEG	10 Mns Break

Linked

Partners

partners

slowandsteady

My Monday hike got cancelled so I texted Kathy to see if she was up to anything. Yep, "Karl has to run. We were going to go to the 128th street Toms Thumb Trailhead. He was going to run and I was going to do Toms Thumb-Windgate-Coachwhip-Marcus Landslide Loop. Then...drum roll...Tacos and Tequila!" Well she got me with the Tacos and Tequila. Altho I revised the loop since we had to meet Karl at the end and I didn't know if I could get 'er done in time.

After taking the dirt road 128th St from Dynamite to the TH, we met Scott from Tucson. It was definitely cool and I kept my vest on the whole time. We headed out to the Marcus Landslide Trail which I think is a pretty trail. You get to see cool big boulders and of course the landslide, Submarine Rocks, the fountain and in the distance the Superstitions and Four Peaks. It was an overcast day and there was also a haze above the river.

We hooked up with the Boulder Trail to take us over to the Pemberton Trail. We did encounter a few bike riders on these two trails but very few hikers. Next up was the Rock Knob Trail and it was a beauty. You go through a cholla forest and reach an old pay station. We enjoyed the views in this area all around. From there we hooked up with the Caballo Trail (.4 mile) which I had planned as an out and back but as it turned out, it takes you up to the Tom's Thumb TH so we took that route.

We took a quick restroom break and continued up the Tom's Thumb Trail looking for what my route called the East End Trail (not the one on the south side) that becomes Mesquite Canyon Trail but it is actually called Feldspar Trail. Of course there was much more traffic on Tom's Thumb Trail but once we turned off on to Feldspar, we were back on our own again. Feldspar was a pretty trail too with nice views to your right and ahead. We did encounter an REI class instructor as they would be having a class today. There are several climbing route access points from this trail. I always enjoy the Sven Slabs area. It just looks like it would be fun to climb up there.

We were about back at the TH when Karl called to ask where we were and when we looked toward the parking area we could see him. So it was good timing. Karl had left the lights on in his vehicle so Tonto gave it a jump and then we were off for "Tacos and Tequila" ! at Juan Jaime's. We sat out in the sun as we experienced very little of that this morning on our hike.

[ youtube video ]

_____________________

For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled.

Dec 16 2017

slowandsteady

Routes 67
Photos 966
Triplogs 694

46 female

Joined Jan 05 2012
Phoenix,AZ

Marcus Landslide Clover Loop, AZ

Hiking		Dec 16 2017
		slowandsteady

Hiking	8.17 Miles	1,040 AEG

Hiking	8.17 Miles	3 Hrs 35 Mns	2.39 mph

	1,040 ft AEG	10 Mns Break

no routes

no photosets

Linked

Partners

partners

tibber

Hike for chips and salsa!

_____________________

Dec 02 2017

jochal

Guides 2
Routes 22
Photos 1,878
Triplogs 536

36 male

Joined Sep 13 2009
Mesa, AZ

East End Trail - MSP

East End Trail - MSP

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 02 2017
		jochal

Hiking	9.30 Miles	1,542 AEG

Hiking	9.30 Miles	3 Hrs 20 Mns	2.83 mph

	1,542 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Windmill Trail - MSP

Coachwhip Trail - MMRP

Partners

none

no partners

Up and down East End, Coachwhip to Pemberton, then Rock Knob and Caballo trail.

_____________________

Apr 29 2017

mazatzal

Routes 33
Photos 2,276
Triplogs 1,130

63 male

Joined Jul 28 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

McDowell Preserve Central Area, AZ

Hiking		Apr 29 2017
		mazatzal

Hiking	10.30 Miles	1,100 AEG

Hiking	10.30 Miles	4 Hrs 40 Mns	2.42 mph

	1,100 ft AEG	25 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

9 linked trail guides

Saguaro Nest Trail - MSPC

Service Road #1 - MSPC

Christmas Cholla Dodder White Ratany

Partners

none

no partners

Nice cooler temps today and limited for time so stayed close.
TT :next:

Mesquite Cyn :next:

Feldspar

Marcus Landslide :next:

Rock Knob

Pemberton

Saguaro Nest :next:

Service Rd #1 :next:

Gooseneck

TH

Flora

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

_____________________

1 archive

May 09 2016

Sun_Ray

Routes 7
Photos 911
Triplogs 1,098

72 male

Joined Sep 09 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		May 09 2016
		Sun_Ray

Hiking	1.80 Miles	25 AEG

Hiking	1.80 Miles

	25 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

After trailhead host duties at Tom's Thumb this morning I walked a short distance to photo the paystation at the point the trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve meets the McDowell Mountain Regional Park. We've been having discussions on whether folks need to pay when they pass into the Regional Park from the Preserve. To me, the answer is yes, but it's complicated by the fact that this station does not seem to be operational....no directions or explanation on what the fee is. The pay envelopes, while provided, do not state the fee ($2). Would you pay at this station? See photoset.

_____________________

Brian
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday......there is no SOMEDAY!

4 archives

Mar 27 2016

Booneman

Guides 9
Routes 33
Photos 736
Triplogs 3,415

40 male

Joined Nov 25 2008
Chandler, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Mar 27 2016
		Booneman

Run/Jog	13.33 Miles	901 AEG

Run/Jog	13.33 Miles	1 Hour 48 Mns	7.41 mph

	901 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Coachwhip Trail - MMRP