Meridian to Lone Mountain

Meridian to Lone Mountain; Goldfields, April 20, 2018

GPS Map N

GPS Map S

A nice day in April, in central Arizona? It does happen, so I was able to hike around here instead of going up north. This time I chose the Meridian to Lone Mountain hike, on the Sand Canyon, Pass Mountain, Usery Pass, and Maricopa Trails.

Though I managed to get to Meridian Trailhead before sunrise, the sky was so hazy after yesterday’s wind that I wasn’t expecting much. When the sun came up, I was going west on the Pass Mountain Trail.

As always I met people on the Pass Mountain Trail. But this time I had the other trails to myself. Not many flowers. The ones I saw were prickly pear and ocotillo.

Thanks to my wife Jacque and daughter Clara for meeting me at Lone Mountain Trailhead at the end of the hike! We went out to lunch on the way home.

Sand Canyon in the pre-dawn light, looking south.

The deer let me take pictures before running away.
This A-frame house, on the north side of Sand Canyon, marks a local high point on the trail.
Foothills are the first to catch the sunshine.
Peak 3127 in the early morning light.
Lichens brighten the trailside rocks.	The Good Shepherd watches over the trail.
The south side of the Pass Mountain Trail parallels the Tonto National Forest boundary.
Those Usery Mountains are named for King Ussery, of pioneer days.
No oil here, but I’m pumping away.
What critters live in these caves?
Aviators, pay attention! Don’t get lost.
The trail goes through a saguaro forest on the west side of Pass Mountain.
Buds are forming on this Teddy Bear.
Fouquieria splendens - Ocotillo.
Ocotillo.	Cactus Apple.
Straight ahead for Usery Pass Trailhead, or turn right for Lone Mountain Trailhead.
Palo Verde in bloom along Usery Pass Road.


More Hike Pictures		updated April 24, 2018