P.A. Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon
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| Golden cottonwoods along Cave Creek in P.A. Seitts Preserve |
Tucked between Cave Creek Regional Park and horsey suburban
neighborhoods, the P.A. Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon is a tiny buffer zone
of beauty. The site is owned and managed by the Desert Foothills Land Trust, a
nonprofit organization that works to conserve Sonoran Desert open spaces, sensitive
plants and native animal species in the north Valley.
While some of the organization’s 23 properties
that protect 680 acres are off limits or viewable only by guided tours, P.A.
Seitts is open to the public.
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| The Overlook Trail |
The 271-acre site preserves an important wildlife corridor,
riparian habitat and historical elements along Cave Creek. Several hiking
trails and nature paths explore the property’s various points of interest. To
get to the trails, hike 0.2 mile on the access path to a gate and the main
trail junction.
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| Craggy outcroppings on Overlook Trail |
A good way to begin is
to take the right fork and knock off the moderate Overlook Trail first.
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| Black Mountain in distance |
This 0.6-mile one-way path climbs along a
slim, craggy path to the preserve’s highpoint, making a loop around the summit
for an exceptional overview of the area.
The dark silhouette of Black Mountain
looms in the east while the colorful gorge of Cave Creek, hazy urban contours
and the hills of Tonto National Forest complete the panorama. Once done exploring, descend back to the gate
and continue north on the wide Jeep Trail (a.k.a Military Road). Just over a
half-mile from the gate, veer right at a two-way junction. Although it’s not
signed, this short road is the Cemetery Trail. Hike 0.3 mile to a “T” junction,
and head left to an historic graveyard where several early Cave Creek settlers
are buried.
The burial ground has a
reverent, yet wild west feel to it.
A
random collection of dusty stone circles and wooden planks mark a few resting
places, but mostly the dead lie in blissful secrecy.
To continue, retrace your steps back to the
Jeep Trail and continue north. You’ll notice signs stating that permits are
required to enter the State Trust land that’s part of a patchwork of preserve,
park and private properties in the area. No worries, though. If you stay on the
designated trails, you do not need a permit.
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| View from the top of the Overlook Trail |
The Jeep Trail continues for 1.1 mile, paralleling the creek
and its avenue of cottonwoods, mesquite and willows. In late fall and winter,
the trees display canopies of golden leaves. Enormous saguaros, contorted
ironwood trees and a smattering of dilapidated barbed wire fences populate the
foothills complementing an already visually-rich trek.
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| Jeep Trail |
Along this stretch, you’ll encounter two
rusty metal posts that mark spur paths that go into Cave Creek Regional Park.
The second post denotes the preserve boundary and the turnaround point for the
hike.
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| Jeep (aka Military) Trail |
LENGTH: 2.3 miles total
RATING: easy-moderate
ELEVATION: 1960’ – 2120’
GETTING THERE;
P.A. Seitts trailhead:
From the intersection of Carefree Highway and Cave Creek
Road in Cave Creek, go 0.6 mile north to East New River Road. Turn left, go 0.3
mile to 54th Street, turn right and continue 0.4 mile to the parking
area on the right near the intersection of E. Cloud Road and 52nd
Street. No fees. Preserve hours are the same as the park’s.
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