February 17, 2023 Casa Grande Mountain. Long and Medium Groups: Casa Grande Mountain Ridge Trail - 6-8 miles . Short Group - Arica Lowlands 3-4 miles.

It had been windy all week so we decided to go to Casa Grande Mountain for a hike. 

The long hiking group was led by John. The Long hikers Hiked the an upper Ridge Trail over the Arica Trailhead and on an Inspiration trail there, then back to the Peart Trailhead. 9 Miles.

The medium group led by Nancy, with the help of Armond and Francine, started at the Peart Road Trailhead and hiked the Ridge Trail to the Arica Parking lot and back to the Spine Trail. We took the middle trail where there was a pole to sit on for lunch. There was hardly any wind until we got to the saddle, then there was wind on the other side, but it wasn't too bad. It was great to get out for a hike. 7 mile hike. 

The medium group met up with the Short Hikers who did the Spine Trail loop starting at the Arica Trailhead. Link to Spine Trail Loop.  3.2 miles

Ridge trail to Spine Trail Loop

Link to John's All Trails maps of Hikes on Casa Grande Mountain. 

DIRECTIONS to Medium and Long Groups hike:  (GPS: Peart Road Trailhead) or exit left out of Palm Creek onto Henness Rd and travel to Florence where you make a right. Continue on Florence for approximately 2 miles and turn left on Peart Rd. Continue on Peart for about 3 miles passing under I-8 and after a short left curve continues to the trailhead! Plenty of parking but no restrooms. Lots of foliage!

DIRECTIONS to Short Group hike: (GPS: Arica Trailhead) or exit left out of Palm Creek onto Henness Rd and travel to Florence where you make another left. Continue to I-10 S toward Tucson. Take exit 200, 4.7 miles, toward Sunland Gin Rd/Arizona City. Turn right onto Sunland Gin Rd. and after about 500 feet turn right on W Arica Rd. The trailhead is at the end of this road! No restrooms but plenty of foliage!

SUMMARY:

The Ridge Trail is an easy hike of 7-8 miles, depending on how far the group wants to hike, along the side of the Casa Grande Mountains, from the north end to the south and back. The trail climbs and descends for the whole length of the hike until you reach the southern end of the mountains. There are many awesome views of the valley and the desert vegetation. 

INFORMATION: We meet in the parking lot in front of the Ballroom entrance Fridays at 7:30 a.m. to sign up for the hike each hiker is taking and sign up on the carpool sheet. YOU HAVE TWO SHEETS TO SIGN UP ON!  We can always use extra drivers. Riders, please don't forget to reimburse the drivers $10.00 to help with gas. We leave at 8 a.m. sharp and caravan to the hike trailhead following the lead vehicle and always have a sweep vehicle to make sure everyone arrives safely. If for some reason a hike must be canceled, you will receive an email by 6 a.m. and you can go back to bed. For questions, call John Robichaud at 207-446-0650 or Jerry Garrison 307-630-0252!

Remember, if for some reason a hike must be cancelled, you will receive an email by 6 a.m. and you can go back to bed! For questions, call John Robichaud 207-446-0650 or Jerry Garrison 307-630-0252.

Hope you can make it Friday!