Pass Mountain Trail
Pass Mountain Trail is a long-distance loop hike in Usery Mountain Regional Park near Mesa, Arizona, circling Pass Mountain and returning to the starting area. It’s rated moderate and is typically done as a full loop rather than point-to-point hiking.
The route runs through Sonoran Desert terrain around the mountain—sandy desert washes and rocky, uneven footing are part of the day. Expect sections that can feel rugged, with some steeper stretches when you work your way up toward and around the saddle area.
Typical round-trip distance is about 7.1–8.1 miles, with roughly 1,049 feet of elevation gain and an expected 3–4 hours moving time. The climb and descent around the saddle are the main elevation work; the remainder of the loop trends flatter as you come back.
For direction choice: hiking counter-clockwise generally starts with the rockier, more rugged terrain and then finishes with an easier, flatter return to the trailhead; either direction keeps you on the full loop.
Two commonly used start points in the park are the Wind Cave Trailhead and the Blevins/Horse Staging Area; both tie into getting onto the loop.
The surrounding landscape is managed as a multi-use trail environment within the regional park—plan on sharing the route since the trail is used for hiking and also for other non-hiking activities.
Difficulty
Moderate