Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Maricopa Trail - Usery Pass Rd to Bush Hwy

when	Trip Report : March 23, 2019
where	North end of the Usery Mountains
the hike	This hike is a piece of the Maricopa Trail that will take us from Usery Pass Road over to the Granite Reef Recreation area off Bush Highway, where we will have a car or two waiting with cold drinks.     We will start off Usery Pass Road on the Wild Horse Trail, where we will head in a mostly western direction and take a fairly slow descent, meandering our way through the north end of the Usery Mountains for about 3.5 miles. From here we turn and go south on the Twisted Sister Trail, eventually heading west again. Around the 4 mile mark, the desert will come alive with wildflowers and the mountainside will look golden. As we head east on the trail we have a moderate ascent, and what was previously a golden mountainside is now a beautiful view of many different wildflowers. We will enjoy a different look around every corner.     At about 5 miles we hit a junction where we can take a side trip up the Saguaro Trail to a mine shaft. After exploring the mine shaft, we will turn back and take the Saguaro Trail to the junction. From here it is mostly a descent on a couple different trails in the Hawes Trail system. We have amazing views of Red Mountain throughout the hike.     We are planning to do lunch at Red, White, and Brew after the hike. Bring: •  At least 3 liters of water •  Sunscreen Recommended: •  Camera
distance	9 miles
time	5-6 hours
EC	+-900' elevation change
type	one way with car shuttle
starting at	Wild Horse Trailhead, off Usery Pass Road.
on trail	100% — Wild Horse to Twisted Sister to Saguaro to Ridge to Granite to Saguaro, where we head to Bush Highway and go southwest along the Bush Highway to the Granite Reef Recreation Area.
rating	"C+"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs allowed	no
cost	We will need a Tonto Pass for each vehicle left at Granite Reef Recreation Area. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
weather	Apache Junction
meet	6:30 AM at Red Mountain Park located at 7745 E. Brown Rd. in Mesa (south side of Brown Road east of Power Road). Directions from the Red Mountain Freeway (Loop 202): •  Exit 26 (Brown Road). • Go west on Brown a half mile to the light at Sterling Dr. • Turn left (south) at Sterling into the park. Then take the first left into the Palo Brea parking lot.
drive	•  Take Brown Road to Ellsworth. • Go north to the Wild Horse Trailhead on the left side of road. • I will determine the car shuttle as I get sign-ups.

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