Ringtail Trailhead to 136th Street Trailhead

My plan last Saturday was to get up early and hike an out-and-back from the 136th Street Trailhead in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The execution phase began without incident after waking up early enough to brew a pot of coffee. But something not completely unpredictable, yet not highly anticipated happened, causing the synchronicity between plan and execution to forever sever. Looking back a week later, I see the critical flaw in my plan was not building in enough time for a second cup of coffee. The quiet moments spent sipping a second cup cost me the opportunity to claim the last available parking space in the Sunrise Trailhead overflow parking. I missed it by 15 seconds.

If you're paying attention, you may wonder what was I even doing at the Sunrise Trailhead? Wasn't I going to the 136th St. Trailhead? Indeed I was, but the 136th St. Trailhead, unbeknownst to me, was closed for construction so I resorted to Plan B and the Sunrise Trailhead, where I watched the car ahead snag the only remaining spot in overflow. Just for giggles, I checked out the main parking area for Sunrise. Unsurprisingly, there was nothing available. After a final swing and a miss through the overflow lot, I realized I had no Plan C. Who has a Plan C for day hiking, anyway? By this point, you usually just go home and do something else. But because I was in the neighborhood, I thought I would drop by the Ringtail Trailhead off of 128th Street. When I saw there was plenty of available parking, I knew I had a Plan C in progress. I would figure out the hike on the fly.

Sunrise Trail

Moving north on the Ringtail Trail, I turned right at the junction with the Sunrise Trail and headed into the mountain range. After 1.5 miles of uphill, I reached the plateau where the 136th Street Spur joins the Sunrise. Though the 136th St. Trailhead was closed, the trail itself appeared to be open. I could stay straight on the Sunrise or head down the spur trail, which had been the main feature of my aborted Plan A. Taking the spur meant I would be taking a shorter walk (7 miles) than originally planned, but after reading the warning sign at the plateau junction, I knew I couldn't pass up the challenge. The 136th it would be.

Challenge Accepted!

From the plateau, the spur trail descends quickly into the wash below. The wash is where the trail becomes technical at times, as well as difficult to follow. The important thing to remember here is that as long as you're in the wash, you are on the trail. The first steep drop-off I encountered, I looked around for signs of a trail which neatly sidestepped it. When I didn't see one, I thought of the sign back at the junction and engaged all four limbs in safely making my way down the rocky drop-off. I was thankful to be wearing the Camelbak my wife had recently purchased so that my hands were free to assist in those instances when scrambling was necessary.

Scrambling is a must on the 136th St. Spur

The trail went underneath two overpasses before the boulders and rocks gave way to a sandy, beach-like terrain offering just enough resistance so that I was soon longing for those rocky drop-offs. After a short while, I realized I was standing at the closed 136th Street Trailhead. I verified this on my map and took a little nutrition break consisting of a granola bar and a small box of raisins before turning around to retrace my steps back to the Ringtail Trailhead.

Heading South on the 136th Spur

Sandy-like Conditions on the Southern End of the 136th

The hike back up the 136th spur wasn't as bad as what I feared, but of course I had already previewed it and knew exactly what to expect. A quarter of a mile prior to the junction with the Surprise Trail, the 136th St. Spur turns steep. It's no longer a technical trail at this point, but it is a heart-pounder, to be sure. Once atop the plateau, however, the hard work is over, as it is all downhill to the parking lot.

Beautiful views near the top of the 136 St. Spur Trail

The 136th St. Spur was a nice change-of-pace to the typical, everyday hiking. It is one of those trails you will look forward to visiting again and again, if you enjoy technical hiking. In retrospect, it made no difference that I drank that second cup of coffee. I still found my way to the trail I originally planned to hike and, though inconvenienced ever so slightly, persevered to have an exceptional outdoor experience. My lesson learned: always have a Plan C prepared beforehand or be willing to make one up on the fly. Until next time . . . happy trails!