Photo by Mare Czinar

Tonto National Forest

Traversing a swath of classic Arizona Upland Sonoran Desert terrain, Cave Creek trail is a study in environmental diversity and human history. The trail can be directly accessed from either the Seven Springs area or from the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area.  Either way, hikers will encounter lots of dips and twists in the well-worn path as it wanders among remains of early ranching operations, old mines and ancient Hohokam petroglyphs and ruins. Recent wildfires scorched the eastern end of the trail, but sycamore and cottonwood trees are staging a revival, thanks to the gurgling waters of Cave Creek.

Length: 10.4 miles one-way
Rating: moderate
Elevation: 3,500 – 2,440 feet
Getting there: (East trailhead) From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, take the Pima/Princess Road exit. Go north on Pima Road for 13 miles to Cave Creek Road. Turn right (east) onto Cave Creek Road (which becomes Forest Road 24) and continue 9.5 miles to the Cave Creek trailhead.
(West trailhead) 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 left and continue on Spur Cross Road for 4.5 miles to the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. From the parking area, hike 2 miles up Spur Cross Trail (which becomes Forest Road 48) to the Cave Creek trailhead. There’s a $3 daily fee per person.  Exact change is required for the self-serve kiosk.
Info: 480-595-3300 or www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/recreation/rogs/hikingtrail/ccrd/CaveCreekTrail4.pdf; 480-488-6601 or maricopa.gov/parks/spur_cross/maps.aspx