SoMo: Hau'pal & Ma-Ha-Tuak

This is a two part post. Both on the relatively new trail in the northwest corner of South Mountain (SoMo) Park called the Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail. The first report is a really dumb route I decided to do, riding the trail eastbound. The second was a much more sensible route riding it westbound. The trail itself rides fine in either direction.

I had briefly heard about the new trail and had seen some Strava rides with it. It looked cool since it finally enabled riders on the NW side of the park to make a loop that was all singletrack. I wanted to check it out, but I also saw this other 'trail' on the east side of the Ma-Ha-Tuak Range called T-Bone Ridge (Now named Hau'pal). The interesting thing to me about T-Bone was it climbed almost as high as the nearby Alta trail, but at first glance didn't connect...or did it? A quick scouring of satellite imagery and I found a faint trail linking the two. It was ON. Now, since I had no idea what the trail conditions were going to be like, high probability of a complete shitshow, I didn't invite anyone to tag along. I figured the Ma-Ha-Tuak trail was decent enough.

I staged at the Ranger trailhead and connected over to the bottom of T-Bone via the Max Delta trail. That was a fun, swoopy kind of trail with one short steep kicker. T-Bone started off nice enough, well I was riding anyway, it was a solid climb up to an overlook where I needed to catch my breath.

Max Delta trail with the Phoenix skyline in view.

Rest break before trudging up THAT!! Yikes.

To say the next section was steep would be like saying the Grand Canyon is just a ditch. The grade kicked up considerably, so much so, I had to be wary of foot placement or risk sliding back down. There were a couple of pinch points between rock outcroppings that really gave me pause. How exactly am I getting through this? It was a delicate balance at times, but I made it to the upper ridgeline. This was clearly not a mountain biking trail. But, I've always said I'll ride anything once or at least take my bike with me!!

Hey look!! Someone actually riding their bike!!

Start of the upper ridgeline.

Elevation attained rapidly.

That's the trail. Some tricky moves in there.

Looking across to Telegraph Pass and the Summit Rd.

Finally!! The semblance of a rideable trail.

Looking back at the short piece of non-sketchy trail.

Made it to the junction of my satellite spotted trail. The main trail dropped off the north side of the mountain and didn't look any less forgiving.

Snack break!

I spotted the faint trail from satellite imagery and began to head west towards Alta trail. I was fully expecting some sketchy maneuvering, but it turned out to be a fairly solid connection.

The faint trail can be seen zigzagging up the hump of this ridge. Alta trail is visible to the left of the high point near the Saguaro.

Junction with Alta trail.

Same spot, looking back from where I came.

Another view, this time looking west across the Ma-Ha-Tuak Range.

I decided to take the milder descent down the Alta switchbacks, cleaned all but two.

About once a year or so I put tires on the Bajada trail. I'd be riding it in the mostly downhill trending direction, but that doesn't mean it has any flow to it. Lots of well places embedded rocks and steep drainages are sure to keep you in check. Today was no different.

A gentle slice of Bajada.

Maricopa Peak is not the high point of the Ma-Ha-Tuak Range. Go figure.

The tame side of National trail.

I've been meaning to ride this bit of Maricopa trail, today it would lead me to the Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter trail.

A few ups & downs as it winds its way around the mountain.

But first, a side trip down to the new South Mountain Freeway. I sure hope they add a gate here, as the Maricopa trail continues on the other side and there currently isn't an easy way to get there.

Back at the split, a new post marks the beginning of the new machine built piece of trail.

Contoured climbing is the name of the game on this trail.

The newly minted South Mountain Freeway cuts through a small section of the mountain as it winds through the foothills of Ahwatukee.

So far the climbing was modest.

The payoff was a fast rip around the mountain.

This trail sure doesn't fit the character of SoMo's trail inventory. Where are the rocks?

Nice pano of downtown.

Guardrail section followed by a short steep grunt that I had to walk.

The middle section of the trail was a bit older, narrow in bits, contained some rocks, but was still enjoyable to ride.

Back on the machine built stuff as I neared the 19th Ave trailhead.

Looks like a storm is brewing.

I rode past the Hau'pal junction on the north side, looked harmless from the bottom!! I quickly reached the 19th Ave trailhead and began a stout climb to a saddle with some hike-a-bike thrown in. From there it was a quick spin back to the car at the Ranger trailhead.

The park did a really nice job routing this trail. While it may not be technical like many other popular trails at the park, that doesn't mean it's easy. It was definitely get your heart rate up and there are plenty of downhill payoff sections to reap the rewards of climbing.

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A couple of weeks later I had a few hours between jobs and wanted to ride the Ma-Ha-Tuak trail in the other direction for comparisons sake. I met up with Jenn who was looking for some cardio work and I knew this trail would deliver.

Again, we staged out of the Ranger trailhead and started on Max Delta. This time I used the Crosscut trail to link over to the 19th Ave trailhead where we'd pick up the Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter trail. It was a really nice way to start.

Fun downhill along the Crosscut trail.

The pushing started early...cardio gains!!

Again, well contoured ups & downs heading west.

The poppies are starting to bloom, it's going to be a banner year for wildflowers in the desert.

Stay on the trail!!

I love when the desert has that thin veil of green.

Moar hike-a-bike!! There's a couple real punchy climbs.

Looks like we're about to get a payoff for all that climbing.

Ahh, that's better!!

Near the final hill, there's a trail splitting off to the left that leads to the San Juan parking lot and would allow you to make a loop around the hill pictured. It would be a nice lollipop ride from the 19th Ave trailhead.

Hard to believe there's still that much farmland adjacent to South Mountain.

Jenn dips into a wash on the west end of National.

Since I was on a bit of a time crunch, we simply popped out on San Juan Rd. back to the Ranger trailhead. It makes for quick work compared to riding Bajada back to the car.

I can't really say which direction I prefer on the Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter trail, both ways have a few short steep climbs and fun downhills. Ride it both ways and decide for yourself, it'll be a solid workout no matter what you choose. Well done, South Mountain.

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