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Things to do
Moonlight hike March 31 at Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa
Posted
Join Ranger Kevin for an evening hike under the stars 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 31, at Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N. Usery Pass Road in Mesa.
Limited to 20 participants. To register, call the Usery Nature Center at 602-506-2930 ext. No. 4 and register for the moonlight hike. Registration for the program will close on March 29.
The approximately 2-mile loop is on the Blevins and Noso Trails. Trail segments are rated easy, with little elevation change over the course of the hike, according to a release.
“We’ll enjoy the beauty of a quiet outdoor evening, walking through a desert landscape silvered by the moon and stars — weather permitting, of course. We won’t be setting any speed records here; this hike is all about taking our time and appreciating the natural world. Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring plenty of water, along with flashlights and/or UV lights — we may be able to find some scorpions out and about,” it states.
Participants are to meet at the Trailhead Staging Area west side of the parking lot by Blevins Trailhead. Bathrooms are available nearby. No pets, the release states.
The hike will only be canceled in the event of active storms or poor trail conditions.
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.
