Pass Mountain Loop in the Goldfield Mountains - Usery Mountain Regional Park - March 19, 2021

Casa Grande Mountain Hike

Pass Mountain Hike 

Jerry's Pictures

Mary Anne's Pictures

John's Pictures

Pass Mountain Loop is a hike in the Goldfield Mountains at Usery Mountain Regional Park. We will hike the trail counterclockwise to get the most difficult part done before lunch. The first 4 miles are a mix of loose rocks and moderate/significant elevation gain. The second half is much easier as not nearly as rocky and very minor changes in elevation. Overall this is a good hike in a pretty area with the typical desert vegetation and nice vista views. Distance, 7.9 miles and rated as a "B" primarily because the first half is fairly challenging. There is a $7.00 per car entry fee. Restrooms, drinking water and plenty of parking are available at the trailhead. NO RAIN, TEMPERATURE ABOUT  84 degrees.😎

Directions: From Palm Creek, turn left to Florence and then left to I-10. Continue on I-10 west toward Phoenix to exit 161 A/B for the 202 Loop East. Stay on the 202 East for approximately 26 miles to exit 27, University Drive. Turn right on University and then left at the first stoplight onto Ellsworth Road. Proceed about 4.5 miles and then turn right at the Usery Regional Park entrance. After paying the entrance fee, continue ahead past the Wind Cave parking lot until you see a sign for the Trail Staging Area Parking Lot. Driving time was 1 hour and 5 minutes and the distance was 68 miles. (GPS: Usery Mountain Regional Park)

Short Hike:  Short hike on the trails around Casa Grande Mt. led by Reno and Denis. Their hike averages 3 - 4 miles and they are usually back to Palm Creek by noon. Leaves from the central mailboxes same time as the longer hike, 8 a.m., and must have a Palm Creek Hiking Club Waiver. Try to be at the mailboxes around 7:45 a.m. to secure waivers.

Upcoming Hike and End of the Season Picnic

March 26, 2021

Phoneline Trail in the Sabino Canyon. The hike is approximately 6.5 miles. There is a $12.00 per person tram fee to the trailhead. There are steep switchbacks for the first one-half mile, then the trail is fairly level. Moderate only because of the first half-mile. Parking is free with  America the Beautiful Nat'l. Park card. I would like to meet at the mailboxes at about 7:15 a.m. and leave at 7:30 a.m. so we can catch the 9:00 o'clock shuttle as they only leave on the hour!

March 27, 2021 

End of the season Hiking Club Picnic. Come and enjoy a picnic; Saturday, March 27th at the tennis pavilion from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.and get your hiking mileage certificates for 50 or 75 miles hiking with the club. It's a time to eat, drink, visit and share memories of the hikes. Family members are invited.

Menu: Kentucky Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Coleslaw and cake for dessert. Paper plates, napkins, eating utensils and cups will be provided! All of this for $5.00 per person. We decided on a BYOB; beer, wine pop, water or whatever, as everyone has their preferences. Please RSVP  as soon as possible so we can get a count for food and misc.!

Remember:  If for some reason a hike must be cancelled, you will receive an email by 6 a.m., Friday morning.

Jerry's Cell  307-630-0252

John's Cell  207-446-0650 

 

Wild Burro and Alamo Springs Trail - March 5, 2021

A hike in the beautiful Tortolita Mountains of Marana at the Dove Mountain Resort. The hike starts from the parking lot and wraps around the Ritz Carlton Hotel to see the various petroglyphs on the property. It continues to the Wild Burro Trail and then the Alamo Springs Trail and back to the Wild Burro for a distance of 7.1 miles. On the hike, we visited the springs, an old-line house and the old homestead rock house with a cistern and swimming pool. The scenery was outstanding. 

See below for the Trail map and stats and upcoming hikes.

Mary Anne's Pictures - Petroglyphs 

Directions: Go Southeast on I-10 to the second exit for Marana, Exit 240,  Tangerine Rd. Turn left and follow Tangerine Rd. for 5 miles. Turn left at the light on Dove Mountain Blvd. and go north for 4.3 miles to the first roundabout.  As you enter the roundabout take the first right turn and continue to the main gate. Take the third right-hand turn for the parking lot. Time approximately 1 hr. ( GPS - The Ritz Carlton at Dove Mt.)

Plenty of parking and pit toilets at the trailhead. (B or Moderate)

Short Hike: Short hike on the trails around Casa Grande Mt. led by Reno and Denis. Their hike averages 3 - 4 miles and they are usually back to Palm Creek by noon. Leaves from the central mailboxes same time as the longer hike, 8 a.m., and must have a Palm Creek Hiking Club Membership Waiver. Try to be at the mailboxes around 7:45 a.m. to secure waivers.

Upcoming Hikes: 

March 12, 2021

Pass Mountain Loop in the Goldfield Mountains at Usery Mountain Regional Park. The hike is a fairly easy loop but long at 7.5 miles. There is a $7.00 per-vehicle entry fee.

March 19, 2021

Phoneline Trail in the Sabino Canyon. The hike is approximately 6.5 miles. There is a $12.00 per person tram fee to the trailhead. There are steep switchbacks for the first one-half mile at first, then the trail is fairly level. Parking is free with the America the Beautiful Nat'l Park card.

Remember:  If for some reason a hike must be cancelled, you will receive an email by 6 a.m. Friday morning. 

Jerry's Cell  307-630-0252

John"s Cell  207-446-0650

Click on the link below to check out Nancy's Blogspot; ( Pictures and information from last week's hike, Picketpost!) Palmcreekhikers3.blogspot.com