A couple of days ago we hiked the Pass Mountain Trail in it's entirety for the first time. The HikeArizona.com says it's 7.4 miles with just over 1000' of elevation gain. Today we hiked a popular section of that trail, the Pass Mountain Saddle. Starting at a parking area outside the Tonto National Forest and Usery Park the trail heads north most of the way and then turns east below the saddle. The last section is up several very steep switchbacks. Once at the top you find a broad almost meadow-like setting. There's a side trail to a "cave" too. The trail is 1.9 miles each way with an elevation gain of 745'. I made it to the top in 45 minutes, Karen took an hour. We both took an hour coming down. Another great hike just a short drive from home!
View heading up one of the switchbacks leading to the saddle.
The "cave." It only goes back a few feet.
A huge boulder that must have broken off the cliff walls
sometime in the past. I'm guessing it's about 50' long!
Looking down into the valley from the saddle.
Karen almost at the saddle.
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