Posts
Cave Creek Regional Park
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| Slate Trail |
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| Cactus sprouts |
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| Jasper and Quartz |
Slate Trail departs from a paved parking area with
restrooms, heading east on an easy-to-follow, wash-addled tread. During the first
stretch, minor outcroppings of vertical-tilted metamorphic rocks –the “slate”—begin
to pop up along the trail. Then, just beyond the half-mile point, the scaly gray
slabs take center stage. The outcroppings balloon in size running amok
on and around the route. Patches of
Palo verde and ironwood trees provide a little shade, but mostly, this hike is
open to the sky.
The fin-like rocks form a scrub board surface littered with chunks of milky quartz and blood-red jasper. Some formations jut skyward in shark fin style while others lean in stony waves with tiny cacti sprouting from cracks where splits in the decomposing rock harbor just enough moisture to nurse plants to viability. At the 0.6-mile point, head north on the Quartz Trail for a walk past a gigantic mound of white stone that stands near a bend where a crack in the hilly terrain reveals views of mountains on the western horizon.
This 1.4-mile section follows the contours of several small peaks before it connects with Go John Trail for the return trip. Go John is the longest and most heavily-used trail in the system. Park trails are also used by a nearby horse outfitter that offers guided rides and the swooping, undulating nature of Go John makes it a popular choice for mountain bikers. So, keep an eye out for speeding bikes and plodding equine parades. Hikers should always yield to horse traffic by stepping off the trail and following the directions of the riders. From the Quartz-Go John junction, head left, continue 0.9-mile to the Jasper Trail, turn left and hike 0.4 mile back to the trailhead, enjoying the scattered gems and crunchy slate underfoot.
The fin-like rocks form a scrub board surface littered with chunks of milky quartz and blood-red jasper. Some formations jut skyward in shark fin style while others lean in stony waves with tiny cacti sprouting from cracks where splits in the decomposing rock harbor just enough moisture to nurse plants to viability. At the 0.6-mile point, head north on the Quartz Trail for a walk past a gigantic mound of white stone that stands near a bend where a crack in the hilly terrain reveals views of mountains on the western horizon.
This 1.4-mile section follows the contours of several small peaks before it connects with Go John Trail for the return trip. Go John is the longest and most heavily-used trail in the system. Park trails are also used by a nearby horse outfitter that offers guided rides and the swooping, undulating nature of Go John makes it a popular choice for mountain bikers. So, keep an eye out for speeding bikes and plodding equine parades. Hikers should always yield to horse traffic by stepping off the trail and following the directions of the riders. From the Quartz-Go John junction, head left, continue 0.9-mile to the Jasper Trail, turn left and hike 0.4 mile back to the trailhead, enjoying the scattered gems and crunchy slate underfoot.
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| Go John Trail |
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| Quartz Trail |
LENGTH: 3.2-mile loop
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 2060 - 2300 feet
GETTING THERE:
From Carefree Highway in Cave Creek, go 1.5 miles north on
32nd Street to the park entrance. Follow the main road past the visitor
center and park at the Slate Trailhead.
INFO & MAP:
