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TWISTED
SISTER-BIG SISTER LOOP
View of Red Mountain from Big Sister Trail
With its
big bends, sharp declines, tight edges and hairpin turns, the Twisted Sister
Trail embraces/embodies its bike-borne heritage. 
Salt River Valley seen from Twisted Sister Trail
The rollercoaster-like trail
is part of the Sonoran Desert (Hawes) Trail System in Tonto National Forest. Located between the Salt River and Usery
Mountains in Mesa, the system has several access points along Usery Pass Road and
Bush Highway.
The Big Sister Trail is all about rocks.
Four Peaks viewed from the Twisted Sister Trail
The collection of looped
singletrack paths began its evolution from from old livestock and mining trails
with the development of the (unofficial) Hawes Trail in 1989. 
Vintage aircraft sometimes fly over the area
In 2005, the trail and several formerly unsanctioned
connected routes were adopted into the Tonto National Forest system. With the
combined efforts of the forest service and the Hawes Trail Alliance, a non-profit organization
dedicated to the system’s maintenance, sustainability and future expansion of the
system, the popular recreation hub now has over 60 miles of shared-use routes. 
Red Mountain stands over the Salt River
When used
as part of a loop hike, the Twisted Sister makes for a moderate-rated hike with
outstanding mountain vistas and peeks at the leafy corridor of the Salt
River. 
Hawes Trails are well signed
The trek begins with a short walk
on the Bush Lite West trail to connect with the Wild Horse Trail that’s part of
the Valley-circling Maricopa Trail. 
The green corridor of the Salt River from Wild Horse Trail
At
the 0.2-mile point, Twisted Sister spins off to the right and begins its
undulating run through saguaro-studded desert in the foothills below the Usery
Mountains. Once through a couple of
slippery downhills and wash crossings the route trudges uphill, revealing
grander views at each turn. The massive
form of 2,832-foot Red Mountain (also known as S-wegi Do’ag in O’odham,
Wi:kawatha in Yavapai and Mount McDowell, Fire Rock and Gunsight Butte) is a
constant presence on the west side of the river on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa
Indian Community at the confluence with the Verde River. To the north, iconic Four Peaks hover over
the mountains of Tonto National Forest and on the distant wet horizon,
Camelback Mountain rises above city haze. After just under a mile of steady but
not-to-tough climbing, the trail meets a three-way junction. 
Saguaros and boulders on Big Sister Trail 
Mountains of Tonto National Forest on horizon
For a short loop
hike, veer left onto the Big Sister Trail.
Whereas Twisted Sister was all about views, Big Sister is all about
rocks. Clinging to boulder-strewn
slopes, the slim path weaves through impressive globs of granite, boulder
ridges and nature stone sculptures. Midway
through the 1-mile return leg, the trail gives up the widest-angle views of the
Salt River Valley and on lucky days, vintage aircraft from The Commemorative
Air Force Aviation Museum can be spotted flying overhead.
LENGTH: 3.6 miles
RATING: moderate for hiking, difficult for bikes
ELEVATION: 1,387 – 1,793 feet
GETTING THERE:
From U.S. 60 in Mesa, take the Power Road exit 188 and continue north (Power Road turns into Bush Highway) to the Wild Horse trailhead on the right between mile posts 23 and 24.
INFO:
https://hawestrailalliance.com/
