Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa
The Pass Mountain boasts a blend of low desert strolls, a carousel of vistas and just enough raw mountain exposure to serve up one of the most diverse, close-to-town hikes in the Metro Phoenix area. Park rangers recommend taking on the loop from either the Wind Cave or Horse Staging trailhead in a clockwise rotation (begin by going left) for a longer but milder ascent to the hike’s scenic saddle. For those who just want to get to the high point vista and then double back, that’s the ticket, however full-loop hikers should consider a counterclockwise (go right) approach. It’s harder that way, but it gets the difficult climbing over quicker and eliminates the chore of negotiating a steep, slippery down climb on tired legs. The first relatively flat half-mile runs through classic desert vegetation and ruffled washes in the shadow of the pyramid-shaped Cat Peaks.
A valley flush with saguaros sits below the destination—a U-shaped pass visible on the north ridgeline. The climb to get there isn’t too difficult until about a half-mile from the top where the route hangs on precipitous edges and a slickrock ledge for an appetizer of adrenaline before the trail emerges on the prize. The wind-in-your-face jolt of stepping onto the 2,593-foot saddle is a jaw-dropping experience. With a single bend in the trail, the vistas make an explosive transition from saguaros and suburbs to layers of mountains and river valleys. In the foreground, the blocky, colorfully layered Goldfield Mountains rise above a scoured divide. Behind them, are the iconic Four Peaks and rows of wilderness peaks stand over the Salt River Valley. Save for some minor drainage crosses and exposure the remainder of the trail is just a moderate trudge that hugs the mountain’s eastern flanks, unspooling views of the Usery Mountains and hazy peeks at the McDowell range near Scottsdale before it swings south and descends to the base of Pass Mountain for the final 2-mile walk back to the trailhead.
- LENGTH: 7.5-mile loop
- RATING: difficult
- ELEVATION:1,866 – 2,598 feet
GETTING THERE:
Usery Mountain Regional Park Trailheads:
3939 N. Usery Pass Rd., Mesa.
From U.S. 60 in Mesa, take the Ellsworth Road exit 191. Go 6.7 miles north on Ellsworth (which turns into Usery Pass Rd.) to the park entrance on the right.
- FACILITIES: restrooms, water, camping, picnic ramadas, visitor center
- HOURS: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily
- FEE: $7 daily fee per vehicle
