It’s a little hard to imagine when we drive our big-city streets in Arizona that the people the archeologists call the Hohokam were here long before us, just a matter of a few hundred years ago.
Hiking to the top of Elephant Mountain in the Spur Cross Recreation Area in Cave Creek gives hikers a glimpse of Hohokam-era ruins, archaeological sites and fort-like structures that they used as lookouts.
You climb about a thousand feet on this just-under-eight-mile loop, but the trek to the top is well worth it, as you can close your eyes and imagine what life may have been like then. The views are stunning of the surrounding mountains and cities in the distance.
Early on signs warn hikers that the trail is not maintained, which means it’s rockier than many would like. This trail is rated moderate; some might consider it more than that.
Elephant Mountain Trail is open to horseback riders, but not recommended for novice equestrians. One small group on horseback passed us on the trail. This is also the longest trail in the Spur Cross Recreation Area and not as busy as most of the other, easier trails.
One of the joys of visiting Spur Cross Conservation Area in past years has been the streams that run through it thanks to Cave Creek, but with the drought the streams are bone dry this year.
One highlight of Spur Cross Recreation Area you shouldn’t miss is the solar oasis. This is a solar pond, located off Metate Trail just two-tenths of a mile from the Spur Cross Trail that leads to Elephant Mountain Trail.
This is a great place to chill out and watch wildlife. Arizona Game and Fish has placed a wildlife cam here that you can watch on its web page, but it’s better in person. During recent visits, bright red cardinals posed for me among many other birds. A mule deer came to the water to drink. A handful of quail passed by. One of the recreation area’s volunteers spoke about a bobcat that had come to the water the previous day.
The Spur Cross Conservation Area offers twelve miles of hiking within 2,154 acres. There are at least six different connected trails in the conservation area.
On the south side, the Jewel of the Desert trust land offers a unique riparian area that connects with Go John Trail in Cave Creek Regional Park and eventually to trails leading to Anthem. The north side of Spur Cross borders the Tonto National Forest, which offers a multitude of trails.
Spur Cross trails are clear and few get lost, but many more get lost in the Tonto National Forest. Those heading into the forest should take along the Maricopa County Sheriff phone number, 602-876-1000. Spur Cross literature promises a scenic, diverse, rugged upland Sonoran desert habitat. The remnants of a ranch and gold mine can be found here as well. It was the last site added to Maricopa County Regional Park System, in 2001.
The trail is open to hikers and horseback riders. No motorized vehicles are allowed. Pets are welcome, but must be leashed. Spur Cross Stables are just to the right as you drive into Spur Cross, for those who want to see it on horseback.
If the 90-minute drive to Cave Creek seems like a lot, you have Copper Canyon Trail in Camp Verde as a nice option. This is a five-mile loop hike offering switchbacks, dry stream crossings and in better times a waterfall. You won’t likely find water in Copper Canyon this year, though.
The large dirt parking lot at the trailhead is equipped with outdoor grills, covered picnic tables and a pit toilet. The trail climbs about 520 feet, 300 of that in the first mile. Still, this is an easy hike, with switchbacks leading to a ridgeline.
The top of the ridge gives views of I-17. The ridgeline displays an interesting blend of desert and mountain terrain, with views of the red-rock geology of Sedona and in winter the snow-capped peak of Humphreys Peak. Ponderosa pines, southern sycamores in the dry creek, scrub oak and an occasional pinyon pine dot the landscape. A good spot for a lunch break is available by a large fallen tree trunk that acts as a bench about halfway into the hike. The trail is smooth. You’ll encounter a large round, rusted brown-red tank toward the end of the hike that ranchers may have used to store water in the days.
Copper Canyon Trail is only about ten minutes from Rockin’ River Ranch State Park, the in the state-park system, and the reliable Verde River. Drought has slowed the Verde, but not stopped it.
Stan Bindell is always looking for a good hike. If you have one, contact him at thebluesmagician@gmail. com
