Photo by Mare Czinar

Spur Cross Ranch

Located just a few minutes north of Scottsdale, the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area is an island of pristine Sonoran desert surrounded by a sea of golf greens and adobe rooftops. The Elephant Mountain trail uses a maze of old Jeep tracks and primitive paths that cut through stream washes, grasslands and boulder fields to explore a remote section of this area. The trail descends along a volcanic ravine where ancient ruins pepper the landscape. The ruins are difficult to locate, and park rangers would like to keep it that way to help preserve the fragile artifacts. But you can still participate in ranger-led hikes.
About a mile into the hike, at the Tortuga-Elephant Mountain trail junction, the distinct pachyderm profile of Elephant Mountain takes center stage. From here, the destination is clear. The trail heads uphill to a saddle below the “tusks.” The saddle at the 3.5-mile point offers panoramic views of Sugarloaf Mountain, Skull Mesa and the McDowell Mountains. But here’s the best part: Teetering atop the “tusks” is a series of ancient stonewalls, which are off-limits except to ranger-led hikers.

Length: 9.2 miles roundtrip
Rating: moderate; route-finding skills required
Elevation gain: 800 feet
Fee: $3 per person entry fee. The self-pay station requires exact change.
Getting there: To reach the Spur Cross trailhead from Loop 101, exit at Cave Creek Road and drive north approximately 15 miles to Spur Cross Ranch Road. Continue north for 4.2 miles to the parking lot on the left.
Hike directions: Follow the Tortuga trail for 1.2 miles to the Elephant Mountain trail junction. From there, the trail becomes primitive, marked only by rock cairns and faint footpaths.
Information: Call 480-488-6601 or visit
maricopa.gov/parks/spur_cross.