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TWO NEW TRAILS IN SPUR CROSS
Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, Cave Creek
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| Elephant Mountain stands out over fresh-cut Fairy Duster Loop |
If you image the trails of
Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area as an ice cream sundae, Fairy
Duster Loop and Mariposa Hill Trail are the whipped cream and cherry
on the top. Neither trail requires much effort to hike, but they
perfectly complement the area's more rough-hewn, difficult routes
with soft footing and sweet views. Opened in January 2016, they offer
short, pretty detours that connect with backbone route Spur Cross
Trail (Maricopa Trail) to explore new territory on the site's east
side.
Fairy Duster Loop traces the
foothills above mesquite-cluttered Cottonwood Wash where profuse
plant life makes the trek sort of like hiking through a mini
botanical garden. In addition to the shrub for which it's named,
plants you'll find along the flowing path include joboba,
buckwheat, filaree, ratany, cholla cactus, brittle bush and dozens of
wildflowers, making it a good choice for a springtime bloom snooping
hike.
Mariposa Hill Trail is named
for a delicate lily that decorates its flanks. This trail follows
what used to be Old Cottonwood Canyon Road to a lookout point with
big views of Cave Creek and the saguaro-studded mountains of Tonto
National Forest.
These fresh-cut routes can
be hiked alone or tagged on to old favorites like the Metate Trail,
for a longer loop. Here's one trail mix option.
From the trailhead, hike
0.1-mile north on Spur Cross Trail (SX) , turn right onto Fairy
Duster Loop. Hike the 0.6-mile loop, then head 0.7-mile north (right)
on SX to Mariposa Hill Trail. Hike 0.2-mile to the top and then back
down. Continue 0.2 mile on SX to Metate Trail, follow it 0.8 mile
back to SX, turn left and go 0.3 -mile back to the trailhead.
LENGTH: 2.9 miles (loop described here)
ELEVATION: 2,200'-2,468' (loop
described here)
Fairy Duster Loop: 0.6-mile loop
(2,330' - 2,385')
Mariposa Hill: 0.2 one way (2,400' -
2,468')
RATING: easy-moderate
FEE: $3 daily per person. Bring exact
change for the self-serve permit kiosk.
GETTING THERE:
From Loop 101 in north Phoenix, exit at
Cave Creek Road and drive 15 miles north to Spur Cross Ranch Road.
This is an easy-to-miss junction located just before entering the
busy main drag of Cave Creek. It is signed and the turn off is on the
left. From here, the road jogs north and then makes a tight turn to
the left at Grapevine. Continue 4.2 miles to the parking lot on
the left. The last mile of the road is good dirt.
INFO:
Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area:
