Brittlebush Trailhead

Brittlebush Trail is a nearly level, 6-mile route through the heart of the 63,200-acre North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness. The North Maricopa Mountains are a jumble of long ridges and isolated peaks separated by extensive, saguaro-studded bajadas and wide desert washes. Cholla, ocotillo, prickly pear, paloverde, ironwood, and Mexican jumping bean complement the thick stands of saguaro to form classic Sonoran Desert vistas. Commonly seen wildlife include desert mule deer, javelina, desert bighorn sheep, coyote, desert tortoise, and numerous varieties of lizards and birds. During wet spring months, the hillsides adjacent to the trail are awash with brilliant yellow blooms of the brittlebush.

Brittlebush Trail follows a combination of former vehicle tracks and wide, unmarked desert washes. No trail signage or directional markers are available along the route; therefore, this trail is recommended only for experienced hikers skilled in reading topographic maps. The northern terminus of the Brittlebush Trail intersects the Margies Cove Trail in the interior of the North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness.

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

Phone

Activities

Iconograph of two people wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
HIKING

Addresses

Phoenix District Office
2020 E. Bell Road
Phoenix
Arizona
85022

Geographic Coordinates

32.993194, -112.522659

Directions

The trailhead can be accessed by Road 8004 off Maricopa Road, located 12 miles east of Gila Bend. Follow Road 8004 and 8004A for 6 miles to the trailhead. Brittlebush Trail can also be accessed via Margies Cove West Trailhead.