Pass Mountain Ridgeline (A)

Date:					Destination:		Pass Mountain Ridgeline
Level:		Advanced (A)			Area:		Usery Mountain
Approx hike distance in miles:		7.4			Hike leader:
Low to high elevation gain:		1700			Hike leader phone:
Accum elevation gain in feet:		2200			Hike leader email:
Departure time - Union Center parking lot:					Please arrive 10 minutes early to check in
Recommended gas donation:		$10
Unpaved miles:		0			Park entry fee per vehicle:		No
Road conditions:		Good			Website for reference info:		N/A
High clearance vehicle req'd:		No			Trailhead GPS coordinates:		33.466258 -111.580905
TRAIL CONDITIONS
Maintained Trail:		No			Uneven Footing:		Yes
Steep Side Drop-offs:		No			Steep Trail:		Yes
Off Trail (scratchy):		Yes			Slippery Trail Surfaces:		Yes
Use of Hands Required:		Yes			Boulder Hopping:		Yes
Hike Arizona Difficulty:		4			Water Crossings:		No
Restrooms at Trailhead:		No			Gloves Required:		Advised

 

Special Instructions:

This is a variation of the loop around Pass Mountain. Instead of going all the way around the mountain, the hike goes up the Wind Cave trail up, past the Wind Caves, then to the top of the mountain. The hike travels along the ridge and descends onto the southeast saddle. There is nothing extreme in this hike, which has great views of the city and north to Fountain Hills when the air is clear. 

Directions:

Take Felix Rd. to Arizona Farms, turn right to AZ 79 and turn left. Drive north and take ramp onto US-60 West. Take exit #199/Old West Hwy. Turn right onto S Goldfield Rd. Continue on W Old West Hwy. Continue on W Apache Trail. Turn right onto N Meridian Rd. Continue on N Meridian Rd to the trailhead on the left, just past McDowell Blvd.