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Summary:	Some decent hikes in a nice desert setting just west of Phoenix. Most paths are multiple use, which means you'll have to share them with mountain bikers and an occasional horse. Entry fee is $5 per carload or you can buy an annual pass for $75.
Directions:	From Phoenix, take I-10 west to exit 124 for Highway 303. Drive north on 303 to the intersection with Olive Ave. (the intersection has traffic lights, railroad tracks and a big sign for the Park). Turn left (west) on Olive Ave and drive 4.5 miles to the end and the entry station for the Park.
Road Conditions:	Passenger Car - paved all the way
Navigation:	Easy
Length:	Waterfall Trail: 1.8 miles round trip Waddell/Ford Canyon/Mesquite Canyon Trail Loop: 9.9 miles Goat Camp/Willow Canyon Trail Loop: 12.7 miles
Date Hiked:	October 2005 December 2005
Weather Conditions:	Sunny and warm
Required Skills:	None
Hike Description:	Waterfall Trail: From the parking lot and trailhead, walk along the wide flat path as it meanders through the desert. As you stroll, look for boulders (mainly on the right) side of the path that are marked with petroglyphs. These designs were pecked into the rock 700-800 years ago (or more) by Hohokam Indians. Soon the trail enters a box canyon and climbs a short distance to a double dry fall (the waterfall for which the trail is named, though it only flows after periods of heavy rain). When ready, return the way you came. Waddell / Ford Canyon / Mesquite Canyon Trail Loop: I'll describe this path traveling counter-clockwise from the Waddell Trailhead (at the end of Ramada Rd., where the amphitheater is marked on the map). From the trailhead walk a short distance to a signed junction with the Mesquite Trail. Stay straight on the Waddell trail which is easy flat walking as it heads in a northerly direction through nice desert scenery consisting of saguaro, mesquite, brittlebush, cholla, creosote bush palo verde and grasses. After 0.9 miles, you'll reach a 'T' junction with the Ford Canyon Trail. Turn left and continue the pleasant stroll. After a time you'll reach a sign warning hikers that "hazardous travel conditions" exist beyond. The trail becomes steeper past this point as it climbs up the left side of a rocky drainage. The path becomes steep as it nears the head of the canyon, then drops into the wash above. The trail becomes un-maintained at this point, but it's hard to get lost. Simply follow the main channel of the wash as it ascends between low hills, the path is infrequently marked by cairns, but otherwise feels rather remote. You'll cross sections of white granite slickrock in which you may find pockets of water - these are the White Tanks for which the area is named. Continue to follow the wash and eventually you'll reach a low wall that crosses the streambed (the remains of an abandoned dam). The wash bends to the left above the wall and becomes more sandy. After about 30 minutes of walking from the dam, the path leaves the wash on the left and begins ascending moderately along a series of broad switchbacks through low grassy hills. The trail tops out at a shoulder (with views into a grassy basin and up to a mountain covered with antennas), then drops down the other side into the basin to reach a signed junction with the left branching Willow Canyon Trail (5.7 miles). You can shave 0.7 miles off the hike by taking the Willow Canyon Trail, we however will continue along the Ford Canyon Trail as it begins ascending once again to reach another shoulder 0.9 miles later (6.6 miles) at a signed junction with the Goat Camp Trail (which heads right) and the Mesquite Canyon Trail (which heads left). Turn left on the Mesquite Canyon Trail which descends steeply along a rocky track at first, eventually becoming more gentle as it winds its way down to a junction with the other end of the Willow Canyon Trail (8.1 miles). Stay right, continuing along the Mesquite Canyon Trail as it continues its descent on the right side of a drainage. After a bit the path leaves the drainage to the right, climbs a low ridge and drops into the next drainage over, which it follows the remainder of the way to the parking lot and trailhead (9.9 miles). Goat Camp / Willow Canyon Trail Loop: I'll describe this path traveling clockwise beginning on the Bajada Trail (starting at this trailhead instead of the Goat Camp Trailhead will save a little road walking at the end of the hike). From near the restroom, pick up the Bajada trail on the west side of the road as it winds its way through the desert. It's easy walking for the first 0.9 miles to the junction with the Goat Camp Trail. Turn right on the Goat Camp Trail as it continues through the desert to the junction with the left branching South Trail (1.3 miles). Continue straight on the Goat Camp Trail, which soon begins climbing gently, then more moderately as it enters a prominent drainage. When it switches from the right to the left side of the drainage, the path becomes rather steep until it eventually tops out in a wide basin. The trail then climbs at a more moderate grade as it winds up the middle of the basin towards a hill covered with antennas, eventually crossing the wash to the right to climb up to a shoulder. The path then becomes quite level and easy as it travels below the antenna array through grassy, rocky hills. It performs two wide arcs as it winds around the drainages of Yellow Bull Canyon then Dripping Spring Canyon to eventually reach a junction with the Mesquite Canyon Trail, which heads right, and the Ford Canyon Trail, which goes left (6.9 miles). You can shave about a mile off the hike by turning right on the Mesquite Canyon Trail, however, we'll stay left on the Ford Canyon Trail as it drops down the hillside at a moderate grade to cross a wash at the junction with the right branching Willow Canyon Trail (7.8 miles). Turn right on the Willow Canyon Trail as it descends moderately to a metal tank and small corral at Willow Spring. It's well worth it at this point to take a short detour along use trails behind the tank to pay a visit to the spring, a very pleasant spot with a pour over and pools. When ready, continue descending along the Willow Canyon Trail which descends along the hillside to the right of the drainage. Eventually it leaves the drainage to the right and descends to a junction with the Mesquite Canyon Trail which branches left and right (9.5 miles). Stay left and continue heading down along the Mesquite Canyon Trail as it descends on the right side of a drainage. After a bit, the path leaves the drainage to the right, climbs a low ridge and drops into the next drainage over, which it follows to a junction with the left branching Waddell Trail (11.2 miles). Continue straight on the Mesquite Trail as it travels through the desert on a level, easy track. At the second road crossing turn right and begin walking along the White Tank Mountain Road south (11.7 miles). You can follow the road all the way back to the Bajada Trailhead and your car, or if you so desire, you can do a short detour along the way around the Black Rock Short Loop (a flat easy nature trail with interpretive signs), you can also avoid a bit of road walking near the end by picking up the Bajada Trail behind the Visitors Center since it leads right back to the restroom and your car.
Rating (1-5 stars):	The author and his wife completed both of the hikes listed at a moderate pace in about 5 hours. It was a little early in the season for the area with day time temps around 90F. White Tanks is a better choice for a winter hike. The author returned at a later date and hiked the Goat Camp Loop hike described above at a quick pace in 4.5 hours.
Maps:	Maps of the area may be found here or ask for a map at the Park entrance when you pay your fee.
Photos:	Click picture for larger view, click your browser's 'Back' button to return to this page.

Waterfall Trail.	Petroglyphs along the Waterfall Trail.	The dry 'waterfall'.

Waddell Trail.	Ford Canyon.
Goat Camp Trail.	Willow Spring.