Pass Mountain Trail

PASS MOUNTAIN TRAIL

Goldfield Mtns & Four Peaks seen from Pass Mtn

In terms of sensory overload, the Pass Mountain Trail works sort of like an old-style 5-disk CD changer to deliver a cycle of ever-changing delights that once engaged, just keeps on spinning.

Approaching the east flanks of Pass Mountain

The 7.5-mile route that loops through both Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa and the urban-wildland interface of Tonto National Forest, packs in the hiking equivalents of mellow slow dance vibes, sultry tangos and pounding hip-hop rhythms. 

Mountain and valley vistas abound on Pass Mtn

An edgy section of the Pass Mtn Trail

Accessible by way of convenient trailheads in the park, the rocky single track blends low desert strolls, a carousel of vistas and just enough raw mountain exposure to serve up one of the most diverse, close-to-town hikes in the Metro Phoenix area.

A close-to-town hike with wilderness vistas

  Park rangers recommend taking on the loop from either the Wind Cave or Horse Staging trailhead in a clockwise rotation (begin by going left) for a longer but milder ascent to the hike’s scenic saddle.  For those who just want to get to the high point vista and then double back, that’s the ticket, however full-loop hikers should consider a counterclockwise (go right) approach.

Tangles of Sonoran Desert vegetation on Pass Mtn

It’s harder that way, but it gets the difficult climbing over quicker and eliminates the chore of negotiating a steep, slippery down climb on tired legs.

Pass Mtn viewed from the park side of the trail

  Heading right from the Wind Cave trailhead, the trail almost immediately exits the park boundary and enters Tonto National Forest. 

Lichens color the cliffs of Pass Mountain

The first relatively flat half-mile runs through classic desert vegetation and ruffled washes in the shadow of the pyramid-shaped Cat Peaks.  

A slickrock passage leads to a scenic saddle

Over the next mile-and-a-half, views of the Superstition Mountains rising above the town of Apache Junction command the eastern horizon as the trail makes a northward bend and a barely noticeable ascent toward on the mountain’s east face. 

Approaching the U-shaped saddle on Pass Mtn

Residual glimpses of rooftops and roads are soon swallowed up in the folds and drainage cuts of the mountain’s wild side. 

Stunning views from the Pass Mtn saddle

A valley flush with saguaros sits below the destination—a U-shaped pass visible on the north ridgeline.  The climb to get there isn’t too difficult until about a half-mile from the top where the route hangs on precipitous edges and a slickrock ledge for an appetizer of adrenaline before the trail emerges on the prize. 

The trail heads north from the saddle

Bam!  The wind-in-your-face jolt of stepping onto the 2,593-foot saddle is a jaw-dropping experience.  With a single bend in the trail, the vistas make an explosive transition from saguaros and suburbs to layers of mountains and river valleys.

A saguaro-cluttered valley precedes a steep climb

Mesquite and Palo verde trees shade the lower trail

 In the foreground, the blocky, colorfully-layered Goldfield Mountains rise above a scoured divide.  Behind them, are the iconic Four Peaks and rows of wilderness peaks stand over the Salt River Valley.  

Another view of the saddle approach

View of the saddle on the right ridgeline

Save for some minor drainage crosses and exposure the remainder of the trail is just a moderate trudge that hugs the mountain’s eastern flanks, unspooling views of the Usery Mountains and hazy peeks at the McDowell range near Scottsdale before it swings south and descends to the base of Pass Mountain for the final 2-mile walk back to the trailhead.

Superstition Mountain views

LENGTH: 7.5-mile loop

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION: 1,866 – 2,598 feet

GETTING THERE:

Usery Mountain Regional Park,

3939 N. Usery Pass Rd., Mesa.

From U.S. 60 in Mesa, take the Ellsworth Road exit 191. Go 6.7 miles north on Ellsworth (which will turn into Usery Pass Road) to the Usery Mountain Regional Park entrance on the right.  The tail may be accessed from the Wind Cave and Horse Staging Area trailheads.  There are restrooms at both trailheads.

FEE: There’s a $7 daily fee per vehicle payable at the park entrance. 

INFO: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/usery-mountain-regional-park-um/