Pass Mountain Loop Trail #282

This trail starts at the staging area that is at the southeast corner of the Usery Mountain Park Road system. The trail proceeds east across a major wash. At mile 0.1, trail users will find a sign marking the seven-mile loop. The trail enters the Tonto National Forest and goes east; it is essentially level for about two miles along the south side of Pass Mountain. The trail then begins a steep and rocky 0.5-mile climb to the pass. Bike and horse riders should dismount

and walk to the top. From the pass, the trail begins a gradual descent, crossing large and small washes. It curves around the mountain in a quarter circle to the trail’s most northern point, which is about 1.5 miles beyond the pass. Eventually the trail re-crosses the Usery Mountain Park/Tonto N.F. boundary, where it has an easy downhill grade. Shortly after the junction with the Wind Cave Trail #281, the trail passes back into Usery Mtn. Park for the final 0.6 mile to the original junction.

Attractions:

• The northwest end of the trail passes through superb Sonoran Desert vegetation.
• The trail offers magnificent views of the Mazatzal, Usery, Goldfield and McDowell mountains.
• In the spring, annual wildflowers are in bloom. With optimum weather, flowers cover the mountain slopes with bright colors.