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Morning cactus hike Oct. 29 at Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa

Posted 10/22/22

Join a ranger on a moderately difficult hike 7-9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, and learn about cactus along the way at Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N. Usery Pass Road in Mesa.

Join Ranger Derik …

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Things to do

Morning cactus hike Oct. 29 at Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa

Posted

Join a ranger on a moderately difficult hike 7-9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, and learn about cactus along the way at Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N. Usery Pass Road in Mesa.

Join Ranger Derik on the hike up to Wind Cave at Usery Park. The trail is 3 miles on steep and rocky trail but participants will be rewarded with great views of the surrounding desert, according to a release.

“As we hike we will learn about the many cactus species native to the Sonoran Desert and the adaptations they use to survive in such harsh climates. Please bring water with you to the trailhead and wear close toed shoes. We will meet at the wind cave trailhead at 6:50 a.m. and begin hiking at 7 a.m. Please no pets,” the release states.

Vehicle entry at the park costs $7. Usery Mountain Regional Park is open 5 a.m.-9 p.m. May 1-Oct. 31 and 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 1-April 30. Go to maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/usery-mountain-regional-park.

The 3,648-acre park became part of Maricopa County’s regional park system in 1961. It is at the western end of the Goldfield Mountains, adjacent to Tonto National Forest. The park contains a large variety of plants and animals that call the lower Sonoran Desert home. Along the most popular feature of the park — the Wind Cave Trail — water seeps from the roof of the alcove to support hanging gardens of Rock Daisy. The Wind Cave is formed at the boundary between the volcanic tuff and granite on Pass Mountain. Breathtaking views from this 2,840-foot elevation are offered to all visitors.