Axle Grease Trail

AXLE GREASE TRAIL

A winter storm brews over Axle Grease trail

Long and rambling, the Axle Grease trail is a serpentine route that slips through granite outcroppings fleeced with acres of yucca and cacti in the northwest sector of the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Black Mountain viewed from Axle Grease trail

The twisty, single track debarks from the new Pima Dynamite trailhead which was dedicated on November 13, 2021.

Cave Creek Mountains seen from Axle Grease trail

Running northeast in the space between Pima Road and the sandy, horsey course of Rawhide Wash, the route features a sequence of tight bends, unobstructed lines-of-sight and fluid runs, that support a made-for-speed atmosphere.

Granite boulders surround the trail

Indeed, hikers and bikers zip through this lush desert path like well-oiled machines.

Tight bends slingshot hikers through the route

 

And, speaking of oiled machines, the trail name derives from the buckets of grease that hung from horse-drawn wagons that rumbled through the area in the 1800s.  The grease was used to lubricate wheels and axles to keep the rickety vehicles running smoothly. 

A raven croaks from atop a saguaro

The 4.5-mile trail is not a loop, but many connecting trails may be used to customize hikes for length and preferred points of interest.  Excellent map kiosks at the trailhead show several suggested routes including the locations of scenic viewpoints, geological landmarks and an impressive crested saguaro.

The trail parallels Rawhide Wash

 

Saguaro skeletons add botanical interest along the way

While the hum of traffic on Pima Road is present over the first couple of miles where the trail traces the property boundary, the din loses its punch as the trail swings farther into the core of the preserve.  Soon, the sounds of 21^st century lubricated vehicles are absorbed by vast boulder fields, saguaro forests and the songs of woodpeckers, ravens and raptors moving among thick stands of paloverde trees and fragrant creosote.

Pima Dynamite trailhead was dedicated in Nov. 2021

There are many ways to loop up with the Axle Grease trail

LENGTH: 4.5 miles one way

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 2,310 – 2,563 feet

GETTING THERE:

Pima-Dynamite Trailhead

28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale.

There are two access roads near the corner of Pima and Dynamite Roads. One is on Pima just north of the traffic signal and one a few yards east on Dynamite.

There are restrooms at the trailhead.

INFO:

Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve

https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve

Hau’pal Loop

HAU 'PAL LOOP

Sierra Estrella Mountains peek over Ma Ha Tauk range

Situated in the northwest sector of South Mountain Park in Phoenix, the Hau’pal trail fixes a couple of things.

Camelback Mountain has some competition in the Hau'pal Trail

First, the 3.2-mile loop which debuted in 2020 replaces a quagmire of confusing, terrain-damaging park (remember the T-Bone Trail ?) and sloppy user-created paths.  Newly aligned, signed and cleaned up, the route is now a safer, more sustainable trek.

Difficult-rated Hau'pal trail is well signed

Second, it provides swift attitude adjustment for anybody who thinks a short loop hike located a mile south of downtown Phoenix can’t deliver a heart-pumping-- and sort of scary--hike.

Piestewa Peak rises above downtown Phoenix

The route is steep, edgy and rocky

The 3.2-mile loop, which is named for the O’odham word for red-tailed hawk, progresses in three distinct episodes.  Heading counterclockwise from the trailhead (go right), the hike begins with an immediate uphill haul that gets gradually steeper as the dirt single track gains over 1000 feet twisting over clipped shelves and stony folds in the far edge of the park’s Ma Ha Tauk Range. 

Mountain & urban views on Hau'pal trail

Act two involves a breath-taking walk over a sheer ridgeline with vistas that span the entire Valley and reach into the mountain peaks of the Tonto National Forest and farmlands south of Ahwatukee. 

First leg of the hike gains elevation gradually

Narrow, steep and, in places, very close to sheer drop offs, the ridge leg of the hike is not for acrophobics. 

The trail replaced old and unauthorized paths

The final segment is preceded by a short scramble through a rock chute before the trail calms down and swings downhill on gully-riddled foothills with scenic lookout points that frame views of city grids, urban landmarks and the distinctive humps of Camelback Mountain—another short, steep hike destination that might lose its “ultimate city hike” panache once Hau’pal catches on.

Map at the trailhead shows the loop layout

LENGTH: 3.2-mile loop

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION:  1,320 – 2,359 feet

GETTING THERE:

Form Phoenix, travel south on 7th Avenue to Baseline Road.  Turn right (west) and continue on Baseline to 19th Ave. Turn left (south) and follow 19th Ave to the trailhead.  No facilities.

INFO:

https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south-mountain

 

Crest Summit

CREST SUMMIT

Mine site on the Quartz Mine trail

Situated in at the southern end of the White Tank Mountains, Skyline Regional Park in Buckeye offers an enticing mix of hiking, biking and equestrian trails.  

Big Valley views from Crest Summit

The 8,700-acre park has nearly 20 miles of interconnected trails that wrap around a stronghold of mountain peaks, scoured washes and lofty ridgelines. 

Crest Summit trail is short but very steep

With trail choices that range from barrier-free interpretive strolls to difficult, vertigo-inducing climbs, there’s something for everybody in this West Valley recreation hub. 

Quartz Min trail passes through washes

While all the park trails frame outstanding vistas, there’s one edge-teetering route that skims the roof of the park and even ties in an optional summit side trip.  

Lichens color rock outcrops in Skyline Regional Park

The circuit, which uses the Quartz Mine, Lost Creek and Skyline Crest trails, wanders through the park’s east sector with a sequence of twists, dips and ascents that provide continual panoramic views. 

Challenging Skyline Crest trail traces a ridgeline

Begin on the Quartz Mine trail near the number 3 picnic ramada.  Head east (go left) follow the moderate single track through gullies and washes as it descends along stony escarpments above desert plains. 

Steep switchbacks on Skyline Crest trail

At the 1.4-mile point, the route meets the Skyline Crest junction. For this trip, continue uphill on Quartz Mine. Now steeper and more precipitous, the trail curves north, topping out near a mound of chipped white stone spilling from what appears to be a filled in prospect—the Quartz Mine. 

Trail menu at Skyline Regional Park

The trail traverses a ridge for another 1.1 miles to where it connects with the Lost Creek trail. Turn left, hike less than a half-mile and hang another left onto the Skyline Crest trail.  This leg of the circuit is a real treat. Rated difficult, the rocky, undulating path hugs a knife-edge ridgeline with steep drop offs and jaw-dropping views all around.  After a mile, a set of switch backs winds downhill to land hikers on a saddle where the optional Crest Summit trail presents an optional add-on.  

Park trails are well signed

The short, vertical side trip tacks on only 0.34-mile to the hike, but the additional 200 feet of elevation gain rolls out in aggressive, straight-up style.  The extra effort pays off with unobstructed, 360-degree vistas of the Sierra Estrella Mountains to the northeast, Gila Bend Mountains in the southwest and the Big Horn Mountain Wilderness and the Hassayampa Plain in the northwest.  

Quartz chunks line the trails

From this high-point lookout, the trail descends through a saguaro-cluttered ravine to reconnect with the Quartz Mine Trail where hikers retrace their steps to the trailhead.

LENGTH: 5.94 miles as described here

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION: 1,345 - 2,130 feet

GETTING THERE:

2600 N. Watson Road, Buckeye.

From Interstate 10 in Buckeye, take the Watson Road exit and continue 2 miles north to the park. Roads are paved.  There are restrooms, water, picnic ramadas and camping by reservation at the trailhead.

HOURS: sunrise to sunset daily

INFO & MAPS:

Skyline Regional Park

https://www.buckeyeaz.gov/community/skyline-regional-park/about-the-park