LIMESTONE LOOP

LIMESTONE LOOP
Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
Cave Creek


Although it’s located just a few clicks north of the city, this scenic loop hike traversing both Spur Cross Conservation Area and adjacent Tonto National Forest lands, encompasses some of the most spectacular desert scenery around. Think—a gurgling desert creek lined with cottonwoods and Goodding willows, outrageous forests of gigantic saguaros and sweeping views of the Valley. Although there are several options for making loop hikes using Limestone trail #252 (visit the Web site listed below for a detailed map) one really sweet option works like this: From the conservation area entry point and pay station, hike up the road and continue straight (north) on the Spur Cross Trail. Follow this wide old Jeep road (aka Forest Road 48) for 1.8 miles (hopping the creek several times) to an abandoned circular corral area where you’ll find a tiny “trail” sign pointing south. Follow the generic signs (there’s no “Limestone Trail” signage) to a narrow, rocky path that veers west heading steeply uphill. From here, this sketchy, un-maintained 2.3-mile segment vacillates between easy-to-follow and essentially—invisible. No worries, though—if you think you’ve lost the trail, just take a deep breath and scope out the intermittent rock cairns that mark the faint sections, leading hikers past two springs at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain. The worst route-finding challenges end at a fancy trail marker etched out of stone where you’ll veer left (east) heading toward Spur Cross and continue .4 miles to the Elephant Mountain junction. From here, stay on the main, wide trail (straight ahead) and hike another .3 miles to the Tortuga Trail junction. The quickest way back to the trailhead is to head left at this junction and follow the Tortuga Trail for .7 miles to the Spur Cross trail junction. Hang a left here and continue .6 miles back to the parking lot.

LENGTH: 6-mile loop
RATING: moderate-rocky, loose footing, creek crossings
ELEVATION GAIN : 1000 feet

GETTING THERE:
Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area is located approximately 35 miles north of central Phoenix. Interstate 17, State Route 51, and Loop 101 can all be used to reach the park. From the intersection of Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road head north on Cave Creek Road about 2.5 miles to Spur Cross Road. Turn north for approximately 4.5 miles to the public parking area. After 3 miles the road turns to all-weather graded dirt and is passable by sedan. The last 1.5 miles can be confusing; continue north on the graded road past the green house, through the tall gateposts and on past the horse corrals to the signed public parking area on the right.
INFORMATION: www.maricopa.gov/parks/spur_cross/Directions.aspx

FEE: There’s a $3 per person daily fee. PLEASE BRING EXACT AMOUNT. The self-serve pay station does not make change. Free maps are usually available at the kiosk.

COLOSSAL CAVE

COLOSSAL CAVE
LADDER TOUR
Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Tucson

Guided tours of Colossal Cave are offered to the public several times each day except on major holidays when the park is closed. Entrance to the cave is by guided tour ONLY. The easy, basic tour takes about 45 minutes. The more difficult “Ladder Tour” (1.5 hours) and the “Wild Cave Tour” (3 hours) require reservations. Both tours require hikers to be in good physical condition and able to climb narrow, vertical ladders. Participants are required to wear helmets with headlamps that are provided by the park and must be able to maneuver through some tight spaces and walk on narrow ledges with deep drop-offs. A tour through the “dry” cave includes visits to a series of “rooms” with names like “Crystal Forest”, “Silent Waterfall” and the “Kingdom of the Elves” that lend a sense of wonder to the limestone chambers of stalactites, stalagmites and bizarre water-borne rock formations.

LENGTH: 1 mile underground
RATING: fun
ELEVTION CHANGE: 50 feet
FEES: visit the Web site for current fees and tour information.

GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, take I-10 south past downtown Tucson to exit 279 (Vail/Wentworth exit) and follow the signs for about 7 miles to the park. (16721 Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ 85641)
INFORMATION: www.colossalcave.com or (520) 647-7275

YOUR COMMENTS NEEDED!

JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

Hi hikers,
as avid outdoors persons, I'd like to solicit your input regarding what drives you to purchase hike-related publications. Content? Impulse? Cover photo? Cover lines? Price? What?? Your input is greatly appreciated. Please add your comments!!! Thanks, Mare

WEST BOULDER SADDLE

WEST BOULDER SADDLE
Superstition Wilderness


This trail offers much of what we love about nearby Peralta canyon—soaring cliffs, rugged terrain, a steady climb and terrific views of the Superstition Wilderness Area.
The route is an interesting one, passing old campsites, and decommissioned spring and a nice smattering of pinion pines clinging to life in the crumbling volcanic soil.
THE HIKE: from the trailhead, hike west on the Lost Goldmine Trail for 1.2 miles to a cattle guard-type opening in the wilderness barbed wire fence. Pass the gate and head north along a clear path-of-use.
After about a half-mile, the trail becomes more difficult to follow as it takes on the steep ridge up to the saddle. Near the top, you’ll encounter some slick rock and a few vertical sections---nothing too difficult, but the terrain could be risky when wet. Once at the saddle, hiking options abound---see the Superstition Wilderness map for details. Or, for a simple day hike, just head back the way you came.

LENGTH: 4.5 miles roundtrip
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 2,320 – 3,680 feet

GETTING THERE:
Take Highway 60 east to Peralta Road (FS77 at milepost 204) where there’s a road sign stating “Peralta Trail”. Turn left onto Peralta Road, set your odometer, and continue through the subdivision for 7.1 miles to the Lost Goldmine trailhead on the left.
NOTE: some of the older hiking books recommend using the “Carney Spring” trailhead to access the W. Boulder Saddle route, however, that road had been blocked off and you can no longer drive very far up the road as described in the books. Using the Lost Goldmine trailhead is easier.

BOULDER CANYON

BOULDER CANYON
Superstition Wilderness

Offering a kalidescope of ever-changing, colorful views, Boulder Canyon Trail #103 provides a memorable tour of the turbulent landscape of the Superstition Wilderness. From the trailhead, the route takes off on an uphill grind along the rocky cliffs above Canyon Lake, topping out at a saddle where the 224-foot-high crest of Mormon Flat Dam is visible peeking out from a stony cove. To the north, the mauve-tinged pinnacles of the Four Peaks wilderness, sit like bold sentries above a sea of barren foothills.
From here, the trail moves over a high desert ridgeline of tortured volcanic rock with LaBarge Creek churning hundreds of feet below. During the next few minutes of uphill walking, the blocky massif Battleship Mountain slowly creeps up until its profile looms large on the horizon. At this point, a gorge-riddled terrain takes center stage as the route transitions into an unrelenting series of ups-and-downs—something to keep in mind for hike out—before reaching its terminus at the intersection with Dutchman’s Trail #104.


LENGTH: 7.3 miles one-way
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 1,680- 2,300 feet
GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, take Highway 60 east to the Idaho Road exit. Go left at the light and follow Highway 88 to the Canyon Lake Marina between mileposts 211 and 212.
A Tonto Pass is NOT required as long as you park in the “hiker” section of the marina lot.


INFORMATION:
fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/recreation/rogs/hikingtrail/wilderness/Trails/superstition/BoulderCanyonTrail103.pdf

DRAGONFLY TRAIL

DRAGONFLY TRAIL
Jewel of the Creek Preserve

It’s finally open! We learned of this new trail in Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area last winter when it was still under construction. The Dragonfly Trail, which opened in April 2009, was engineered to showcase the desert foothills and thriving riparian environment surrounding the “Jewel of the Creek” area of perrenial Cave Creek. This unexpected strip of lush creek-side willows, alders, walnut trees and cattails is hemmed in by rugged Upper Sonoran Desert terrain making for a breathtaking hybrid desert-wetland hike. While there, you’ll also wander through a mesquite bosque—the 5th rarest eco-system on earth. Although most hikers prefer to grab a map at the trailhead and head out on their own, the park ranger, Kevin Smith—who knows just about everything about the local flora, fauna, geology and human history of the area-- conducts regular guided tours for those who would like an educational experience.
Check out the link below to find out when the next one is happening.
We can thank the efforts of the Desert Foothills Land Trust for securing the preservation of this delicate eco-system and for also raising the funds needed to plan for and build the trail. Check out their Web site to learn more about this guardian of our beautiful Sonoran Desert and how YOU can help preserve this precious resource: http://www.dflt.org/

LENGTH: 4-mile loop (with optional connecting trails to add length if we like)
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 2,400 -2,150 feet
FEE: $3 per person (exact change is required)


GETTING THERE:
Option 1: From I-17 go east on Carefree Highway (AZ 74) at exit 223. Continue on Carefree Highway for 9.7 miles to Cave Creek Road. Go north onto Cave Creek Road and drive 2.6 miles to Spur Cross Ranch Road. (this is a tricky intersection…the road kind of swerves left and turns into Spur Cross Ranch Road. Continue north for 4.2 miles to the dirt parking on the left. The last mile or so of the road is good dirt and passable by sedan.
THE HIKE: from the parking area, hike up the road a few yards, pay your fee and pick up a free map.

Option 2:
From Loop 101, exit at Cave Creek Road and drive north for approximately 15 miles to Spur Cross Ranch Road. (this is a tricky intersection…the road kind of swerves left and turns into Spur Cross Ranch Road. Continue north for 4.2 miles to the dirt parking on the left. The last mile or so of the road is good dirt and passable by sedan. THE HIKE: from the parking area, hike up the road a few yards, pay your fee and pick up a free map.


INFORMATION: visit, http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/spur%5Fcross/ or call 480-488-6623