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| Peaks of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in distance. |
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| The segment is well-signed. |
Looking for a quick and easy way to explore a scenic portion of the Maricopa Trail that runs through Tonto National Forest? Then, step out on the Bronco-Granite Mountain Segment. The 20+-mile segment runs from the Bronco Trailhead off Seven Springs Road north of Carefree to the Granite Mountain Trailhead in Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Don't be intimidated by its long length and rugged terrain. The segment is bisected by Bartlett Dam Road which makes it easy to hike it as a car shuttle or separate day hikes.
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| Four Peaks on the western horizon. |
Still kinda nervous about venturing out into one of the trail's most remote locations? No problem---you can test your mettle on the more moderate southern half first. From Bartlett Dam Road, just hike south through spectacular Sonoran Desert with great vistas of surrounding mountain ranges and wilderness areas. It's just 3.4 miles one way to the preserve boundary where you can opt to continue on or return the way you came for a pleasant, easy day hike.
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| Rich desert scenery in Tonto National Forest |
LENGTH: 6.8
miles roundtrip
RATING: easy
ELEVATION: 2845
– 3220 feet
GETTING THERE:
Bartlett Dam
Road Trailhead.
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 where a dirt road crosses at a “no target shooting”
sign and 0.1 mile past the Tonto national Forest ranger station. Turn right and park along the dirt turn outs.
This area is heavily used by ATVs, so don’t block roads. This segment may also be accessed via a
0.2-mile connector path from trailhead at the ranger station when it’s
open.
INFO & MAPS:
https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/things-to-do/activity/maps/
Saturday January 20th was a drizzly, chilly day on the Maricopa Trail, but that didn't stop 300+ racers from participating in the 40-mile contest that ran from Spur Cross in Cave Creek to Lake Pleasant Regional Park. The sun peeked in-and-out of the clouds during the after party and during the highlight of the day: the third annual KID RACE hosted by Desert Foothills Mountain Bike Association.
More photos will follow, but here's a look at the kiddos in action.
