when | March 15, 2025 Saturday | |||||||||||
Trip Report : March 04, 2023 | ||||||||||||
Trip Report : January 15, 2022 | ||||||||||||
Trip Report : December 28, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Trip Report : January 13, 2018 | ||||||||||||
Trip Report : February 27, 2016 | ||||||||||||
Trip Report : January 30, 2010 | ||||||||||||
Trip Report : February 24, 2007 | ||||||||||||
Trip Report : January 21 2006 | ||||||||||||
where | White Tank Mountain Regional Park | |||||||||||
the hike |
This is a loop hike through beautiful desert terrain. The hike will begin at the Mesquite Canyon Trail
From Area 7 Parking Lot. The Mesquite Canyon Trail goes in a westerly direction. At 1.8 miles the Willow
Canyon Trail goes off to the right (we will be returning from this trail). Continue (to the left) on the Mesquite
Canyon Trail up Mesquite Canyon for 2.4 miles to the Ford Canyon Trail junction. We will follow the Ford
Canyon Trail north for .9 miles to the junction with the Willow Canyon Trail (This is the other end of the
Willow Canyon Trail that you passed). Take the Willow Canyon Trail for about 1 mile to Willow Springs (a
good place for lunch or even just a break). Willow Springs Trail continues for another one mile back to the
junction with the Mesquite Canyon Trail. Take the Mesquite Canyon Trail back to the Area 7 parking lot to
finish the hike.
The parking lot is approximately 1500 ft. and the high point on the Ford Trail is approximately 2800ft. There is a bit of up and down so the estimated gain/loss is approximately 1700ft. WHITE TANK MOUNTIAN REGIONAL PARK-The trail description in the “Parks Trails Information” for both the Mesquite Canyon Trail and the Ford Trail is stated as “strenuous, steep, long, and rocky.” The Park has a variety of wildlife including mammals, birds and reptiles. There are some of the most beautiful cacti north of Saguaro National Park in Tucson. Required: • Sturdy hiking boots • At least 3 liters of water • Rain poncho • Hat, sunblock, sunglasses Recommended: • Lunch or snacks • Camera • trekking poles • first aid kit |
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distance | 9 - 10 miles | |||||||||||
time | 5-6 hours | |||||||||||
EC | +-1700' elevation change | |||||||||||
elevations | 1,500 feet at trailhead to 3,200 feet at the west end of the loop | |||||||||||
type | loop | |||||||||||
starting at |
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on trail | 100% — Waddell, Mesquite Canyon, Ford Canyon, and Willow Canyon Trails | |||||||||||
rating | "B" Rate yourself as a hiker. | |||||||||||
dogs allowed | no | |||||||||||
cost | $7 per vehicle entrance fee into the White Tank Mountain Regional Park. Please share gas expenses with the driver. The club allows voluntary contributions of $5 for non-members. | |||||||||||
weather | Litchfield Park | |||||||||||
leader | You must email the leader to confirm or call cell #602-397-3531. Please provide your cell phone number when you sign up in case we need to contact you on the day of the hike. | |||||||||||
meet |
7:15 AM at the Library and Nature Center just outside of the pay station of the
White Tank Mountains, 20304 W White Tank Mountain Rd, Waddell, AZ 85355. 7:30 AM at the Mesquite Canyon Trail head. |
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drive |
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Schedule of Events | Arizona Trailblazers Home Page |
updated February 2, 2025 | © Copyright 2025, Arizona Trailblazers. All rights reserved. |