| Statistics: |
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| Difficulty: 2
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Route Finding: 1
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| Distance One Way
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1.24
miles |
| Trailhead Elev
652 feet |
Elev Gain 233 feet |
| Avg Time One Way
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20 minutes |
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| Waypoints: |
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| Trailhead |
N 34° 13.191 W 118° 54.169
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Santa Rosa Trail
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N 34° 13.188 W 118° 54.496
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North Tepee Trail
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N 34° 13.182 W 118° 54.561
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Box Canyon Trail
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N 34° 13.206 W 118° 55.061
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Stagecoach Bluff Trail
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N 34° 13.134 W 118° 55.230
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Lizard Rock Trail
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N 34° 13.099 W 118° 55.414
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Trailhead/End of trail
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N 34° 13.099 W 118° 55.414
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Topographic Route Map |
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Elevation Profile |
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By Scott Legal
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The Mesa Trail is probably the most traveled trail in the park. The reason is that you have to hike some or all of this trail to get to most of the other trails in the park. Other than that it's not a terribly exciting trail, unless you like dodging cars. Yes, part of this trail is also used by cars traveling to and from the lower parking lot. Unless a park ranger is driving past the gate beside where the public access road leaves the Mesa Trail, you shouldn't have to worry about cars past the gate.
After you pass the gate the first trail intersection you'll come to is the Santa Rosa Trail on your right. Just 50 yards or so past the Santa Rosa Trail you'll reach a junction with the North Tepee Trail on your left.
After passing the North Tepee Trail junction the Mesa Trail heads up a long gradual hill. There are often mountain bikes on this section of the trail and many of them travel too fast. So keep an eye out for them.
After a little over a half mile you will reach another trail junction. If you go straight you are heading to the Box Canyon Trail and the Box Canyon Overlook. If you go left you are continuing on the Mesa Trail toward a junction with the Stagecoach Bluff Trail. This junction is less than a quarter mile away on your left.
After passing the junction with the Stagecoach Bluff Trail the Trail heads up a steep section toward Lizard Rock and the Lizard Rock Trail. On the steep section you are treated to a breath taking view of the...... sewage treatment plant. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy this section of trail. You just have to realize that some of the trails in the park include views of the sewage treatment plant. The Mesa Trail ends at the junction with the Lizard Rock Trail.
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Wildwood Minarets as viewed from the Mesa Trail |
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The Mesa Trail from near Lizard Rock |
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The final push to Lizard Rock |
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This one's for William. Only a few people know the significance and that's all that matters. |
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