PASS MOUNTAIN TRAIL MAY GET YOUR BLOOD GOING

If you really like scenic and love to live on the edge this trail could be for you. 

This trail is in the Usery Pass Mountain park on the Usery Pass road. It is west of the Superstion mountains in Apache Junction AZ. Heading from say Goldfield AZ on highway 88 take Lost Dutchman Rd right (West) it will turn into Brown Rd. Then you take a right on N Ellsworth Rd just before you get to 202. Ellsworth will turn into Usery Pass Rd you will see the park just on the right pass the Usery Pass gun range. 

It is $5 a day to park and ride. 

Pass Mountain trail to me is a advanced trail. I would give parts of the trail a 9 out of 10 for difficulty. Going clockwise is you best bet. I would rather ride up a steep difficult trail then ride down it on a edge. 

We rode to the right (clockwise) heading to the right out on the trail.  You start out going down a little then on the flat then the trail starts to climb. Beautiful views like of the whole valley and over to Superstition Mountain. 

This is a tuff 7.1 mile trail but beautiful. 

The trail starts out nice and easy but does not stay that way for long. 

The trail takes you towards the Superstition mountains. 

The trail slowly starts to climb. 

There is lots of hikers. 

Some narrow passes but no problem fitting through.

As the trail climbs up the mountain the views get better and better. 

Looking back at the narrow trail. 

More views right over Mesa to Chandler. 

The last bit of the trail before the "saddle back" it is rocky and steep but you are best to ride up it don't get off to walk it.  

Looking back down at the twisty steep trail below. 

Peg and her mule Rita just about at the saddle back. 

This last trail before the saddle back is a little scary but just breath and let your animal find his/her footing. 

Looking back at the trail we just came along at the saddle back. Yes all our animals were very good. Lucky no one was coming the other way :) 

We are about 1/2 way now. Lunch time for us and rest time for out mules and horses. 

I tied Hunter to a rock LOL

Lots of hikers taking pictures of us. Ron way up above on the rock. 

Heading to the side of Pass Mountain. 

Beautiful views the whole way. 

Alan and Foxy

The trail gets a little narrow and uneven it can be a little unnerving but we all did well. 

The views on this side of the mountain are towards Coon Bluff and the Salt River. 

Over looking the valley towards Saguaro Lake 

The wind picked up a little. 

Alan and Foxy over looking the Phoenix area 

Heading down the trail towards the parking area

What a super ride. 

Another great day and super sunset. 

ANOTHER FABULOUS RIDE AT SAGUARO LAKE AZ

This is about our 4th ride this year at Saguaro Lake, & the Salt River. It is a beautiful area just on the other side of the mountains from the Superstition mountains. If you are heading from Hwy 88 over by the Superstitions you would take Lost Dutchman road to the right (West) it turns into Brown road. Make a right on N Ellsworth just before the 202 hwy it turns into Usery Pass then you make a right on the Bush hwy just before the turn off the Saguaro Ranch you will see a parking lot on the right. The horse staging area is right into the parking lot then a sharp left you will see a gravel area you can park horse trailers. You must have a Tonto Forest pass to park and ride. 

Trail out above the main parking lot. 

We took the trail to the west of the parking lot and crossed the Bush highway. The trail has beautiful sand footing. 

You go a few miles before hitting the Salt River again. 

Once on the river there is a narrow trail that follows the river. It is a little edgy at times. 

Beautiful view of the Salt River. 

Great shot of the cliff sides. 

Here is a shot of the trail through the ears of my horse.

Once you get down of the trail you will hit a nice sandy beach on the river. 

Ron and Randy. Ron is trying to see if Miss Kitty is at all spooky of his hat. "Not".

From the beach you head up the sand draw.

Peg and Randy with there mules but the coolest Saguaro Cactus 

We found this cool old mine

Trying a little Rock climbing with Miss Kitty. 

                   

Miss Kitty with Peg......"I know you have cookies Peg"

Hunter watching Alan and Foxy do a little rock climbing

Now both Ron and Alan are up there. 

The rock formations are so cool in this area. 

Way up over looking the lake. 

Alan and Miss Foxy over looking the valley below. 

Thought the ears over looking Saguaro Lake. 

Looking below at the trail. 

OK I forgot to mention I ride with a bunch of "Asses" LOL 

Going past Saguaro Lake Ranch 

Back a trail head. Another great ride. 

Map of our ride.