Saturday, November 9, 2019

November 8, 2019 Wild Mustang and Wild Burro - Starting at Upper Javelina Spur Trail.


We started the hike at 9:20 went we walked across the parking lot 
toward the hotel to the start of the trailhead.

We walked along the Hotel Spur Trail and turned left on the second Hotel Spur Trail sign across from the Flagpoles. This leads to the Upper Javelina Spur Trail. 


We started to climb shortly up many switchbacks and around large rocks shortly after getting onto the Upper Javelina Spur Trail. Great views of the surrounding landscapes. 






We descended into a wash before we immediately started climbing toward a lookout where the signs explained the mountains we could see.





After a few more climbs we started walking along a ridge at 4000 feet. The Yucca Plants, Chain Fruit Cholla Cactus and Ocotillo dominated the rocky landscape.

 

There is a gate to open as we came up to the ridge. 






On top of the ridge, we started heading back toward the trailhead after we passed the sign where the Wild Burro meets Wild Mustang. We followed Wild Burro to the right. 



Another Gate to open as we head back down Wild Burro. 
 

We at Alamo Springs at 12:20, We stopped for lunch where there is a bench and plenty of rocks to sit on. 




The Wild Burro trail continues to make a loop down. We started hiking down a steep grade to a wash. 



From this wash, we turned back up a short trail to another trail that took us down a steep grade toward the rock structures and tank near another wash. 






This wash took us back to the trailhead. We followed the Purple Wild Burro Signs to stairs.  


Another Great Hike


Arrived at the Trailhead at 2:15. 










Short Description of Hike
This hike starts up the Upper Javelina Spur Trail up a steep trail that winds through large rocks. Once at the top there is a wide vista and the trail evens out as it goes across a ridge. This trail is a loop that winds down a steep decline into a canyon and eventually comes to a wash. It has a variety of landscapes. The hike is 8 miles with high altitude gains and losses.

Picture of Wild Burro Trailhead - Google Maps

Google Maps to Wild Burro Trailhead

Directions to trailhead: Go southeast on I-10 to exit 240, Tangerine Road, turn left and follow Tangerine Road for 5 miles. Turn left on Dove Mountain Blvd and follow it for 4.6 miles until you come to a roundabout. Take the first right off the roundabout and continue a short way to the Guardhouse. After checking with the gate guard, proceed up the road for 0.8 miles to the third right-hand turn and go right at the sign for the trailhead and park in the dirt lot. It is 5.4 miles and took 58 minutes.






This hike starts across the street from the Parking Lot.