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Usery Mountain Regional Park
| Summary: |
Easy hikes in a nice desert
setting just east 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. Why this area is
called Usery Mountain Regional Park and not Pass
Mountain Regional Park is a mystery to me. The
Usery Mountains are actually to the northwest of
the Park (identified by the large "Phoenix" and
arrow spelled out on the side in white stone). I
don't believe there is any hiking on Usery
Mountain, unless you plan to become a moving
target for the shooting range..... but I
digress. |
| Directions: |
From Phoenix, take US-60 east
to the exit for Ellsworth Ave. Turn left onto
Ellsworth and head north for ~7.5 miles to the
Usery Mountain Regional Park entrance on the
right. Follow Usery Park Rd. to the left
branching Wind Cave Dr. Drive to the end and
park. |
| Road Conditions: |
Passenger Car |
| Navigation: |
Easy |
| Length: |
Wind Cave: 3.2 miles
out and back
Pass Mountain Trail: 7.1 mile loop |
| Date Hiked: |
March 2005 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Sunny and warm |
|
Required Skills: |
None |
| Hike Description: |
Wind Cave Trail: From the
Wind Cave parking lot (0 miles, 2000 ft) the
path starts just to the right of the bathroom.
After a few feet you pass a junction with the
Pass Mountain Trail which heads left and right.
Continue straight as the trail gently ascends
through typical desert vegetation towards Pass
Mountain. The path becomes somewhat steeper as
it nears the hill, eventually climbing up to the
prominent escarpment you see above. When it
reaches the cliff band the path bends right and
travels along it a short distance to a sign that
points left for Wind Cave (1.6 miles, 2800 ft).
The cave itself is really just shallow alcove
and is not terribly interesting. Most people
stop here, but more adventurous types may want
to continue past the cave (past the sign
indicating the trail beyond is no longer
maintained) and continue climbing. The trail is
well defined at first and a bit rocky as it
continues up the hillside. Soon, however, the
path degrades into multiple use tracks (each
with it's own spray painted dots or cairns). It
doesn't matter which you take, they all climb
steeply up to the top of Pass Mountain which
offers some nice views of the rest of the range
to the north, the Goldfield and Four Peaks
Mountains to the northeast, the Superstitions to
the east and (if you're so inclined to look) the
ugly suburban sprawl of Mesa to the south. When
ready, return the way you came. Watch your
footing on the loose rocks on the way down.
Pass Mountain Trail: I'll describe this
path traveling clockwise from the Wind Cave
Trailhead. Once on the path, stay right at all
junctions to make a loop. The start of the hike
begins a few steps up the Wind Cave Trail. Turn
left onto the Pass Mountain Trail which winds
it's way through an area consisting of cholla,
brittlebush, saguaro, ocotillo and barrel
cactus. the path travels north, climbing gently
as it does so. Unfortunately your hike along
this section will likely be accompanied by the
sound of gunfire from the shooting range to the
west. As you get near the north side of Pass
Mountain, the trail bends right and begins
traveling east along the slope of the mountain
with some nice views of the Goldfield Mountains
to the northeast. The path eventually begins to
bend south and climbs gently up to a pass before
descending gradually down the other side to
eventually pass behind a few houses. Bending
west, the path travels across level ground past
the small hill of Cat Peak before turning north,
traveling through a few minor washes, to arrive
back at the parking area you started at earlier
(7.1 miles). |
| Rating (1-5 stars): |
The author completed both of the hikes listed
at a moderate pace in about 4 hours, taking
pictures of the abundant wild flowers along the
way. |
| Maps: |
A map of the area may be
found
here or get a nicer one 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. |
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