Today we plan a hike closer to home near but not in Usery Park Mountain Park, just really close to it. In fact the parking abuts the park and you enter the National Forest land right at a corner of Usery Mountain Park. From there for a period we will hike next to the park and then go to the back of Usery Mountain proper and to the foothills of Peak 3004 to find some caches.
There is not a lot of trash here which is surprising, we find just a destroyed drawer and that’s it. There are many birds on the trail with verdins being likely the most colorful.
The trail starts relatively flat through a quasi wash with sands and rock and we make good time as we approach Usery Mountain.
The trail climbs on the northern side of the mountain towards a low saddle from where it snakes towards another higher saddle between Usery and Peak 3004.
From the saddle there are some great views of Fountain Hills and surrounding desert, we really enjoy the views as they give us an opportunity to rest.
While we move from saddle to saddle, the trail is mostly level but it is very narrow and winding and whenever we meet someone we have to plan in advance where to pull over so they can pass.
The most difficult pass should be of the two horse riders we encounter but they are actually parked when we pass so it is easy enough. Right after we settle for a picnic and watch them go, it is surprising that one of them is actually tagging behind instead of riding the horse. Maybe scared or too much riding?
Then we reach the second saddle between Usery and Peak 3004 and enjoy the great views before our planned descent to the bottom for the couple caches.
The trail down is much less popular and it can be quite steep but we make it in one piece. It is quite enjoyable afterwards and flat and we also find the caches easily, now it is time to return back towards the car.
The climb back to the saddle trail is exhausting but with the great weather we make good time and then it is time to return via the saddle trail towards the parking as the sun is setting.
One of the things we enjoy a lot along the trail are the mosses, they are very colorful and fun to search for.
As we reach the initial saddle the sun is falling behind the horizon, it is a beautiful sunset with the horizon catching fire and the cacti contrasting against the twilight.
As we reach the parking the moon is rising and it is a huge moon right next to a couple planets and we enjoy it for a while before jumping in the car and driving home after a great day outside.
