MODERATE: Willow Springs Basin Tank via Bulldog Canyon

MODERATE: Willow Springs Basin Tank via Bulldog Canyon

Hike leader: Scott Downey (503-936-7239)

Date: December 1, 2025

Trailhead: Bulldog Canyon – Willow Gate Trailhead which is on Apache Trail Road (Hwy 88) and on the left .3 miles after passing the sign for Weaver’s Needle Vista Viewpoint

Description: Lollipop loop
Hike Distance: 6.0 mile
Accumulated Elevation Gain: 800
Trailhead Elevation: 2082 feet

Driving Distance: 80 miles R/T; approximately 45 minutes
Drivers Fee: $7
Meetup: 7:45 Cottonwood parking lot

HIke Description:
This is a modified version of the Willow Springs club hike which the club last did November 2023. It is a very scenic ‘lollipop’ hike. This route involves a beautiful hike with rocky terrain, loose rocks, steep ascents, and descents. The scenery includes desert vistas, saguaros, colorful rock formations, and recently a lake that was not there in May 2025. When the trail was prehike 11-26-2025, everything was exceptionally green and there was some standing water. The elevation gain is spread out over 4 or 5 sections of the hike and are easily doable. There are lots of loose gravel and rocks, so hiking poles are recommended. There is a lot of rubble on the downhill areas and poles are highly recommended.

Total hike time is about 3.5 hours. Expect to get back to Sun Lakes around 2pm

Driving Directions: If using a GPS device for driving directions enter “Bulldog Canyon – Willow Gate ” into your device.

Directions Directions: Turn right on Riggs and use your favorite route to Loop 202 East. Take exit 30A for US-60 Globe. Take exit 196 to S Idaho. Turn left onto S Idaho. At 2.3 miles, turn right onto Apache Trail. In 0.3 miles, at the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto AZ 88E/N Apache Trail. At 7.4 miles, turn into the gravel parking lot on the left.
(Watch for the paved and signed Weavers Needle Viewpoint parking lot on the right at 7.2 miles, the next exit on the left is the gravel parking lot you are looking for.)

**FYI - there are NO restroom facilities at the trailhead so we will stop in Apache Junction at the QT gas station at the SE corner of Idaho Rd and Old West Hwy.

Call hike leader, Scott Downey, 503-936-7239, if you need assistance. (Driver's fee is $7)