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Print Friendly MapThe Sonoqui (pronounced so-NO-kee) Wash Trail is a 5.8 mile multi-use trail through the community of Queen Creek, Arizona. The rural trail weaves through aesthetic native desert, and is open to both pedestrians and equestrians. It begins at the Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Center on Riggs Road and heads northwest along the wash.
Two blocks east of the trail, travelers can also connect to the Queen Creek Wash Trail, a paved pathway spanning more than 5 miles.
Parking is available at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Center (20464 East Riggs Road).
GPS brought us to intersection of Ellsworth and Riggs Rd. Turning left on Riggs and proceeding approximately 1/4mi, there is a small parking area directly across from the arena and equestrian center. Nice short ride on concrete and asphalt. Signage showed the trail closed from now until 4/28, but very few construction workers and they let us pass and onto the trail. No shade. No potties.
We connected this with the parallel Queen Creek Wash. Trail just north to make a nice ~14 mile loop, parking at the Chapman Horse Arena. This was flat and very do-able, especially compared to other trails in the NW Valley where we live and a stark contrast to the canal trails in Phoenix that have broken glass, trash and are dotted with belongings of transient/homeless. Not busy at all and borders agricultural/equestrian real estate. Could use signage on whether to use cross-overs or continue on trail (straight).
This loop is accomplishable BUT with current construction for major shopping complex at Ellsworth and Riggs traveling N/S, it is not advisable. Bike lane is non-existent in places and no sidewalk in others so no kids on that part! Traveling down Power Road (at the other end, connecting with QC, it is a beautiful sidewalk AND bike lanes. Queen Creek is working hard to be welcoming AND improving the quality of life for their residents. Sure will look forward to returning when construction is finished and path is potentially extended!
NOTE: Either take Maricopa Trail (not paved!) from Parking Lot at the West end or go across Riggs to where the actually paved trail is to avoid the gravel and dirt.
This is an easy bike ride. Lots of horses to look at. Park at the equestrian center. Restroom off to the left as you drive into the equestrian center. Finding the trailhead: Turn off of Riggs Rd and drive in the front entrance of the equestrian center. As you drive under the big entrance sign look to your immediate left. The trailhead starts there with a map of the trail. The first 1/8 mile is packed dirt/pea gravel, but it quickly turns into asphalt.
This is a nice paved trail, not flat but no big hills. Once on the trail, I only saw one road that had to be crossed while running, the others had underpasses which was nice. This does go partially along a flood zone, so that doesn't happen often but I wouldn't go there after a heavy day/night of rain. Plenty of parking at the Horse Park. I didn't see any obvious restrooms or water fountains. I didn't like the fact that you had to cross Riggs Rd to get to the trail. Riggs Rd is getting widened and about to become a main rd for traffic patterns around the area. It's 5 or 6 lanes wide and no close lights or crosswalks to cross at. All things considered, I'm local so I'll def be back for more runs here. Thankful for all the trails we get to enjoy!
Easy parking at the Equestrian Center. Very nice asphalt path through the wash. Pleasant vegetation and vegetation with plenty of wildlife. The old stagecoach well was interesting and with the covered bench seating a pleasant rest stop. This is a solid short trail for a quick ride in the desert. Note this is a portion of the Maricopa County Trail system so it will be getting longer, eventually.
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