VOLUNTEERS NEED FOR MARICOPA TRAIL

BECOME A MARICOPA TRAIL AMBASSADOR

The Trail Ambassador Volunteer Training Program is a collaborative effort between Maricopa County Parks and Recreation and the Maricopa Trail & Park Foundation. Trail Ambassadors are crucial in preserving our trails and creating a safe, enjoyable environment for everyone. Funding for the training is provided by the Arizona State Parks and Trails Grants Program.

Ambassador Responsibilities

·       Offer guidance and share information with trail users

·       Monitor trail conditions and report any hazards

·       Perform minor trail maintenance and participate in maintenance projects

·       Promote Leave No Trace principles and proper trail etiquette

·       Encourage a welcoming and positive atmosphere for hikers, bikers, and equestrians

Fall Recruiting Events

Join us at one of our upcoming recruiting events—meet the team, ask questions, and sign up to become a Trail Ambassador. We will provide information, swag, and have on-site registration.

·       October 4: Desert Botanical Garden (9 AM–12 PM) — Includes a presentation on Sonoran Desert Plants and Invasive Species, plus a short walking tour. There is no charge to attend this event

·       October 11: Usery Mountain Regional Park Windcave Trailhead (9 AM–12 PM)

·       October 18: White Tank Mountain Regional Park Mesquite Trailhead (9 AM–12 PM)

Program Benefits

·       Flexible shifts on your favorite trails

·       Official Trail Ambassador apparel

·       Safety and educational training

·       Recognition at annual volunteer events

·       Opportunities to connect with nature and fellow trail enthusiasts

Basic Requirements

·       Must be 18 years or older and able to pass a background check

·       Attend an Ambassador training session

·       Familiarity with desert trail use and etiquette

·       Comfortable working outdoors independently

How to Join

Stop by our booth at a recruiting event or register online:

·       🌐 www.maricopacountyparks.net

·       🌐 www.mctpf.org

Training Sessions

·       October 26: Usery Mountain Regional Park Visitor Center (9 AM–12 PM)

·       November 8: White Tank Mountain Regional Park Visitor Center (9 AM–12 PM)

·       November 9: Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant (9 AM–12 PM)

·       November 22: Cave Creek Regional Park Visitor Center (9 AM–12 PM)

VIDEO: Sun Corridor and Maricopa Trail updates.

 

ARIZONA LONG-DISTANCE TRAILS UPDATES 

The Sun Corridor and Maricopa Trails are two epic long-distance routes undergoing improvements, connectivity and new builds. Check out this video to see the progress and learn about ways to help.

https://maricopatrail.wistia.com/medias/bj5n0ihgee

Maricopa Trail to Camp Creek Falls

MARICOPA TRAIL SEGMENT 22

BARTLETT DAM ROAD to CAMP CREEK FALLS

Camp Creek in Tonto National Forest

Over its 315+-mile course, the Maricopa Trail unfurls its tendrils to link county regional parks, suburbs, urban public spaces, canals, historic paths, and remote stretches of national forest.  To hike the full loop is tantamount to a walking tour of the Valley’s multi-faceted landscape. 

Mountain vistas on the Maricopa Trail

The epic non-motorized route that circles the Valley broke ground in 2007 in the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, and the main loop was completed in 2018. 

Hikers in the Camp Creek Falls grotto

The trail continues to improve, evolve, build connectivity, and add length as it adapts to accommodate growing community interest and enthusiastic hiker, biker, and equestrian users.  Built to encourage hikers of every ilk to get outdoors, the route’s many trailheads and neighborhood access points make it simple to hop on and off the trail from anywhere in the Valley, with two notable exceptions: the Spur Cross to Bronco and Bronco to Granite Mountain segments. 

Segment 22 of the MT is wide and well signed

Where the northernmost segments of the trail pass through Tonto National Forest, there’s an average of 13 miles between drive up trailheads. And, for seasoned, well-prepared trail users, that’s where the best stuff resides.  Segment 22 which runs for 16-miles from the north border of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve to the Bronco trailhead in Tonto National Forest was among the last passages to be completed. 

The trail heads downhill on brushy foothills

Rugged terrain, scoured washes, nasty back roads and stubborn rock contributed the difficulty encountered by trail construction crews. Then, in September and October 2020, the 15,000+-acre Sears Fire took a toll on several miles of the segment located roughly 20 miles northeast of Cave Creek.  

Hazy Mt. Ord (center horizon) viewed from the trail

Within months, work crews restored the damaged trail, fixing drainages and stabilizing eroded slopes.  While the moderately difficult entire 12.6-mile Segment 22 hike can sound intimidating for some, there’s an option for an out-and-back day hike that includes a visit to one of the Valley’s most beloved natural wonders.

Morning vista on the Maricopa Trail

Beginning along Bartlett Dam Road, Segment 22 heads north through a shadeless expanse of catclaw and saguaros.  The path briefly traces a powerline, but then veers east into wash-riddled backcountry with unobstructed mountain views.  The rocky domes of Kentuck Mountain (5,013 feet), Maverick Butte (4,870 feet), Humboldt Mountain (5, 204 feet)and St, Clair Mountain (3,252 feet) populate foreground with Mount Ord (7,128 feet) and the cloud bumping Mazatzal Range standing high over the Verde River Basin in the distance. 

The Maricopa Trail crosses sandy Blue Wash

The trail twists downhill, clinging to foothills and stony edges landing hikers at the sandy corridor of Blue Wash at the 3.4-mile point. 

Where the MT crosses Bartlett Dam Road

From a barbed wire and wood gate, an American flag planted on a prominent knoll with a Fresco Mines claim sign across the wash marks the beginning of a side trip to Camp Creek Falls. 

Interesting rock formations throughout the hike

The side trip veers left from the Maricopa Trail and follows the glassy slip of Camp Creek to a box canyon where a perennial stream of water spills about 20 feet over solid rock into a shallow plunge pool.  Desert waterfalls are rare enough, but this one in its tiny grotto fringed by cottonwoods, willows and reeds is a real gem.

Camp Creek leads to a desert waterfall

 

Flag (center) on knoll marks the falls side trip

The spring-fed fount is a critical water source for the deer, javelina and myriad little critters that live in the surrounding desert and makes for a scenic stop over for both long-distance treks and short day hikes on the Maricopa Trail.

The spring-fed waters of Camp Creek Falls

SUPPORT THE TRAIL:

If this wild and wonderful segment of the Maricopa Trail has inspired you, please consider supporting the effort by attending the Prickly Pedal Bike Race, the trail’s main fund-raising event.

Prickly Pedal on the Maricopa Trail will run 36 miles from Cave Creek to Lake Pleasant in Peoria.

The annual event is produced by Aravaipa Rides to benefit the Maricopa Trail + Park Foundation which funds trail building and maintenance projects.

Heads up that trail closures will be in effect along the racecourse.

RACE: 8:30 (pre-registration required)

EXPO & AFTER PARTY: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Public is invited to enjoy the finish line party with beer garden, exhibitors, music, and fun.

https://pricklypedal.com/

 

LENGTH: 7 miles round trip, out-and back to the falls

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 2,833 – 3,303 feet (793 feet of elevation change)

GETTING THERE:

SOUTH TRAILHEAD

BARTLETT DAM ROAD-WILDCAT HILL OHV PARKING:

From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, take the Pima/Princess Drive exit 36 and go 13 miles north on Pima and turn right on Cave Creek Road.  Continue 4.1 miles to Bartlett Dam Road, turn right and go 0.4-mile to a dirt road on the right 0.1-mile past the Tonto National Forest ranger station.  Turn right and park along the dirt turn outs. Follow the Maricopa Trail signs to cross Bartlett Dam Road and continue north.

TONTO NATIONAL FOREST CAVE CREEK RANGER STATION:

40202 N. Cave Creek Road, Scottsdale.

May be closed on weekends and holidays.

Use the 0.2-mile connector that starts at the big Maricopa Trail kiosk.

INFO & MAPS:

https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/maricopa-trail/

 

Beardsley Trail

BEARDSLEY TRAIL

Beardsley Trail crosses the Agua Fria River

The fusion of cholla-encrusted foothills and desert waterways is the foundational flavor of the Beardsley Trail.  Running through undulating terrain on the southwest edge of Lake Pleasant, the 4.4-mile route rolls out in an unrelenting string of ups-and-downs. 

Beardsley Trail is part of the 315-mile Maricopa Trail

The trail, which is also part of the 315-mile, Valley-circling  Maricopa Trail, provides a walking tour of a riffled landscape carved by the Agua Fria River and Morgan City Wash that rush sporadically, and trickle regularly through the arid foothills below the New Waddell Dam that contains the lake.

The hike starts roughly 2 miles south of the lake at the end of Beardsley CSR Road off the Carefree Highway (State Route 74) about 30 miles north of Phoenix.

Cottonwoods in Morgan City Wash seen from Beardsley Trail

Cholla glow in morning light on Beardsley Trail

After passing the trailhead gate, the hike makes its first of many downhill dips--this one into a leafy riparian corridor where the Agua Fria River and Morgan City Wash merge.  The short walk under cottonwoods, mesquite and invasive salt cedar trees is outfitted with a pair of foot bridges where water periodically flows over the trail.

Brittlebush shrubs are plentiful along the route

Lush with greenery and laced with the herbaceous scent of triangle-leaf bursage, the watery segment quickly morphs from jungle-like to a more desert standard creosote-and-cacti ecozone.  The trail follows South Park Road for a few yards before beginning its twisted north-bound journey through saguaro cluttered slopes, tight bends and long, swooping stretches that hang over deep folds in the landscape. 

Mountain vista from the trail high points

New Waddell Dam seen from Beardsley Trail

Throughout much of the hike, a ribbon of cottonwoods and willows visible in the canyons below the trail, betray the course of Morgan City Wash.  

Water lingers in the Agua Fria River

The brilliant linear oasis, which shows off in shades of gold in autumn, is fed by a high water table and is home to rare native fish, myriad dragonflies, abundant birds, amphibians, and critters including racoons, foxes, deer and javelinas.

Desert tobacco blooms year-round in moist areas

About midway through the hike, the trail begins hitting its highest elevations.

Needleleaf Dogweed adds pops of color to the trail

At just over 1,700 feet in elevation, the views expand with glimpses of the Bradshaw and Cave Creek Mountains as well as looks at the glassy, cove-fringed reservoir and its smattering of islands before the trail ends near the Desert Tortoise Campground.

Saguaros line the Beardsley Trail

LENGTH: 8.8  miles round trip

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 1,459 – 1,735 feet (620 feet of accumulated elevation change)

GETTING THERE:

Agua Fria Trailhead, Lake Pleasant Regional Park.

From Interstate 17 in Phoenix, take the State Route 74 (Carefree Highway) exit 223 and go 8.8 mile west on SR 74 to the turn off for the Beardsley CSR access road. Turn right and continue a short distance to the parking area. 

FEE: $7 daily fee per vehicle. $2 daily fee for walk/bike in with no vehicle parking in the area.

INFO & MAPS:

Lake Pleasant Regional Park

https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/assets/1/6/lake-pleasant-8x111.pdf

 

 

Dynamite Trail

DYNAMITE TRAIL

Dynamite Trail passes through a leafy desert wash

San Tan Mountain Regional Park in Queen Creek is a 10,198-acre mountain-bound property that anchors the far southeast reach of the 10 Maricopa County Regional Parks that circle the Valley.  The park’s 9 non-motorized trails plus a short interpretive loop, provide options for trail users of every level of experience. 

Big valley views on the Dynamite Trail saddle

Situated in a hilly expanse bolstered by Goldmine Mountain in the north and the Malpais Hills in the south, the park’s 20+ miles of trails wander among lush desert vegetation, scoured washes and scenic high points with excellent valley vistas. One moderate route to try uses parts of the Littleleaf, Goldmine and San Tan trails to connect with the park’s northwest classic—the Dynamite trail.

The route is part of the 315-mile Maricopa Trail

Fragrant creosote shrubs cluster around the trails

Ocotillos frame mountain views on the Dynamite Trail

All three trails are also part of the 315-mile, Valley circumnavigating Maricopa Trail.

Mountain vistas begin on the Littleleaf Trail

The 2.5-mile path may be accessed by way of connecting routes from either the main park trailhead or the Goldmine trailhead located at the park’s northwest end.  With extra amenities like real restrooms and a visitor center, the main park trailhead is a good place to start.

Mountains close in on the Dynamite Trail

Begin with an easy  0.7-mile walk on the Littleleaf trail. While it gains only 85 feet in elevation, it’s enough to serve up appetizer vistas of distant Tonto National Forest and Mazatzal Wilderness mountain peaks.  This warmup segment is followed by a 0.4-mile hike on the Goldmine trail which undulates through drainages and cholla forests before arriving at the junction with the San Tan Trail where Goldmine begins its strenuous uphill haul.  For this trip, head left on the San Tan trail and continue 0.4-mile to link up with the destination route—the Dynamite trail.  It’s along this segment where the mountainous nature of the park becomes headily apparent.  The Malpais Hills jut abruptly on the near horizon while the green valleys of the Gila River Indian Community peek out to the southwest.

Goldmine Mountain seen from the Littleleaf Trail

The Dynamite trail starts out by tracing the western foothills of Goldmine Mountain ducking through ironwood-cluttered washes, acres of creosote shrubs and many impressive stands of saguaros and cholla cacti.

Junctions are well signed in the park

At 2.4 miles from the trailhead, the route takes on a series of switchbacks that ease the climb to a mountain saddle.  On the breezy divide, a fresh set of views open up over sprawling east Valley suburbs that stretch into the Superstition Mountains and, on clear days, all the way to the New River Mountains to the far north. 

Dynamite Trail descends from the high saddle

Viewing benches placed at scenic overlooks throughout the route, including on the saddle, invite trail users to sit awhile and soak up the beauty.  From the saddle, the trail spirals downhill over long, lazy curves, passing by historic grave sites before reconnecting with the Goldmine trail near the Goldmine trailhead on Wagon Wheel Road.

The route crosses several sandy washes

Switchbacks ease the climb to the Dynamite saddle

Unless you parked a car-shuttle vehicle there, return the way you came. Or, for a more difficult return route, loop it up with the 2.5-mile Goldmine trail for a challenging climb to the park’s highest point and even more outstanding viewing opportunities.

LENGTH: 4.1 miles one-way or 8.2 miles round trip, as described here.

Use the Goldmine trailhead for a car shuttle hike

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 1,617 – 1,894 feet

GETTING THERE:

South: San Tan Mountain Regional Park main trailhead:

6533 W. Phillips Road, Queen Creek.

From U.S. 60 in Mesa, take the Ellsworth Road exit 191. Go south on Ellsworth to Hunt Highway and continue east to Thompson Road. Go south on Thompson Road to Phillips Road and follow the signs to the main park entrance. The park has restrooms, water, a visitor center, equestrian staging area and picnic tables.

North: Goldmine trailhead:

From Hunt Highway north of the main park entrance, go 1.2 miles west on Empire Blvd. to Wagon Wheel Road, turn south and follow the road 1.0 mile to the Goldmine trailhead.

If no attendant is on duty, pay the entry fee in cash to the “iron ranger” (metal kiosk with payment envelopes). Follow the Goldmine trail 0.2-mile to connect with the Dynamite trail.

There are portable restrooms at the trailhead but no other amenities.

FEE: $7 daily fee per vehicle or $2 per person walk-in/bike-in fee.

HOURS: the park is open for day use only from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

INFO & MAPS:

San Tan Mountain Regional Park

https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/san-tan-mountain-regional-park/