TOM'S THUMB

TOM’S THUMB McDowell Sonoran Preserve Visible from most Scottsdale locations, the curious rock knob known as Tom’s Thumb stands out among the pinnacles of the McDowell Mountains. Up until very recently, only little known, primitive routes (mostly used by climbers) provided access to the base of this 140-foot landmark. Alas, through the efforts of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the City of Scottsdale, there’s now a beautifully manicured, well-signed network of trails which make visiting Tom’s Thumb a cinch. From the north access point, the trail makes nice wide switchbacks for an (almost) effortless ascent. The route snakes among classic desert terrain and granite outcroppings showcasing the margins of Arizona’s basin-and-range topography as well as Scottsdale’s suburban sprawl. Because of its new easy access and outstanding views, this hike ranks high on the “must do” list for locals and out-of-town visitors alike. LENGTH: 4.5 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate-difficult ELEVATION: 2,716-3,780 feet GETTING THERE:
UPDATE: Oct 18, 2012.

NORTH ACCESS: From the loop 101 in Scottsdale, take the Pima/Princess Road exit 36 and continue 5 miles north on Pima to Happy Valley Road.  Turn right (east) and go 4.1 miles on Happy Valley to Ranch Gate. Turn right on Ranch Gate, follow it 1.2 miles then turn right onto 128th St. and continue 1 mile on 128th to the signed trailhead. Roads are paved (finished Oct 2012) all the way.

Address: 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255. Check out directions and map here: http://mcdowellsonoran.org/trailhead/displayLocation/8
INFORMATION: Map: http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/Public+Website/preserve/Preserve+Trail+Map.pdf
McDowell Sonoran Conservancy: http://mcdowellsonoran.org/
MORE PHOTOS:
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DOG HIKE AT USERY MOUNTAIN PARK

There's always something fun going on at Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa. To learn about programs such as bird hikes, yoga classes, kid hikes and nighttime critter hunts, log on to: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery/ and check out the calendar of events.

SUNRISE PEAK

SUNRISE PEAK McDowell Sonoran Preserve Among the cloud bumping mountain peaks that hover above the suburbs and shopping centers of North Scottsdale sits an impressive, pyramid-shaped pinnacle with a well-defined trail leading to its summit. A hike up Sunrise Peak offers commanding views, a respectable workout and a pleasing mountain experience without having to venture beyond the din of civilization. Nice signage at the trailhead shows the route: follow the Ringtail Trail for a half-mile then, go right onto the Sunrise Trail and follow the signs to a steep, rocky spur path off the main route for a short climb up to the top. This final haul rewards with 360-degree vistas that transcend the urban landscape below to showcase the rugged ridgelines of the Sierra Estrella mountain range to the west and the high peaks of the Mazatzal Wilderness to the north. LENGTH: 5.5 miles round trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 1,786-3,069 feet GETTING THERE: From the Loop 101 in North Scottsdale, take exit 41 for Shea Blvd., turn right and continue to 124th St. Go left (north) on 124th St. to Via Linda, turn right (east) and continue to 128th St., turn left (north) and follow 128th St. all the way to the end and park at the Ringtail (128th St.) Trailhead. HIKE DIRECTIONS: from the trailhead, follow the Ringtail Trail for .48 miles to the Sunrise Trail. Turn right and continue uphill to the peak. INFORMATION: call 480-312-7013 or visit scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/documents/preserve/Preserve+Trail+Map.pdf

MEXICAN GREY WOLVES

In June of 2008 while hiking in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest I was lucky enough to spot one of the area's re-introduced Mexican grey wolves. It was a moment I'll never forget---the beast was magnificent. To learn more about this endangered species, check out the links below. The first link features a recording of the harmonic howling of the Bluestem Pack-- which is located south of Big Lake in eastern Arizona and consists of an alpha mating pair and several pups. It will give you goose bumps. (These photos were taken at the Phoenix Zoo---I was too stunned to get my camera in time to capture the wild wolf). http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/es/wolf_reintroduction.shtml http://www.mexicanwolves.org/

AGUA FRIA CANYON

AGUA FRIA CANYON Agua Fria National Monument North of Black Canyon City You never know what you’ll encounter when visiting this amazing canyon. Sometimes, running water makes the way treacherous and/or impassible, gushing over boulders and floodplains and collecting in 10-foot-deep pools at the base of vertical basalt cliffs. During dry times, however, the canyon transforms into a rugged wash. Either way, this is not an easy hike. Here are a few photos from our November 2009 visit. ALSO SEE MY PRIOR ENTRY FOR A MORE DETAILED TRIP REPORT FROM APRIL 2005 LENGTH: 8-12 miles (optional) RATING: easy then DIFFICULT ELEVATION GAIN: 560 feet GETTING THERE: Take I-17 north past the Sunset Point rest area and then take exit 256 (Badger Springs Road). Turn right at the exit (east) and drive about a quarter of a mile to the signed Agua Fria National Monument kiosk. There are free maps and an interpretive sign there. Once you have your maps, continue down Badger Springs Road for about a mile to the obvious parking area where there is also a “Badger Springs Wash” sign. The hike starts there. No fees, no facilities, no water, no mercy…come prepared!

CAT PEAKS LOOP

CAT PEAKS LOOP Usery Mountain Regional Park Kid, bike, dog and horse-friendly, this short hike in the desert offers all the amenities of a stroll through a vivacious subdivision---except with much better scenery. The wide, easy-to-follow trail with only one minor uphill section makes for a perfect family outing. Along the way, forests of chain fruit cholla cactuses dripping in spiny seed necklaces, and ironwood trees with their delicate pink, pea-like blooms clutter the landscape. The roundabout route showcases views of the park’s signature landmark—3,300-foot-high Pass Mountain--before bending to the east where the jagged peaks of the Superstition Wilderness stand out on the horizon. In between, the path circles the two Cat Peaks---pyramid-like summits within the park. To cap off your hike in the desert, pay a visit to Shakira (affectionately known as “Shakes”) the Western Diamondback rattlesnake, one of three resident snakes housed at the park’s new visitor center. HIKE DIRECTIONS: Begin by hiking east on the Blevins Trail. Continue .3 miles, pass the Amigos Wash trail, veer left and continue on Blevins for another .4 miles to the Cat Peaks Trail junction. Follow this trail for 1 mile to the Cats Peak Pass trail and turn right. Climb over the pass back to the Blevins Trail, turn right and retrace your steps back to the trailhead. LENGTH: 2.7 mile loop RATING: easy ELEVATION: 1,925 – 1,795 feet GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go east on US 60 to exit 191, Ellsworth Road. Go north on Ellsworth for 7 miles to Usery Park Road, turn right and continue 1.7 miles to the horse staging trailhead. FEE: $6 daily fee per vehicle INFORMATION: Maricopa.gov/parks/usery/Directions.aspx FACILITIES: restrooms and horse trailer accommodations at the trailhead. All trails are well-signed and easy-to-follow.

LaBARGE NARROWS

LaBARGE NARROWS Superstition Wilderness


 Who needs the Grand Canyon when we have the LaBarge box canyon right in our own backyard? This hike starts out on the popular Boulder Trail and then goes cross-country over rugged terrain to a scenic box canyon. The off-trail segment is rife with obstacles requiring much boulder scrambling and creek hopping and thus is NOT for the novice hiker. But, the extra effort pays off at the end of the trail where the soaring stonewalls of “the Narrows” plow straight up to the sky on all sides. HIKE DIRECTIONS: from the trailhead, follow Boulder Trail roughly 3 miles to where the trail crosses LaBarge Creek. Here, head left (east) and follow the wash for another 1.5 miles to the Narrows. NOTE: the route to the Narrows may not be passable in wet years or after heavy rains. LENGTH: 9.4 miles round-trip RATING: moderate-difficult ELEVATION GAIN: 600 feet (1,500 accumulated—mostly on the way out) GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, take US60 east to Apache Junction. Take Highway 88 (Idaho Road) exit and turn left at the light. Continue on Highway 88 for approximately 15 miles to the Canyon Lake Marina. The trailhead is across the road from the marina parking lot. A Tonto Pass is NOT required as long as you park in the designated trail parking area.

LIMESTONE LOOP

LIMESTONE LOOP Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area Cave Creek Although it’s located just a few clicks north of the city, this scenic loop hike traversing both Spur Cross Conservation Area and adjacent Tonto National Forest lands, encompasses some of the most spectacular desert scenery around. Think—a gurgling desert creek lined with cottonwoods and Goodding willows, outrageous forests of gigantic saguaros and sweeping views of the Valley. Although there are several options for making loop hikes using Limestone trail #252 (visit the Web site listed below for a detailed map) one really sweet option works like this: From the conservation area entry point and pay station, hike up the road and continue straight (north) on the Spur Cross Trail. Follow this wide old Jeep road (aka Forest Road 48) for 1.8 miles (hopping the creek several times) to an abandoned circular corral area where you’ll find a tiny “trail” sign pointing south. Follow the generic signs (there’s no “Limestone Trail” signage) to a narrow, rocky path that veers west heading steeply uphill. From here, this sketchy, un-maintained 2.3-mile segment vacillates between easy-to-follow and essentially—invisible. No worries, though—if you think you’ve lost the trail, just take a deep breath and scope out the intermittent rock cairns that mark the faint sections, leading hikers past two springs at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain. The worst route-finding challenges end at a fancy trail marker etched out of stone where you’ll veer left (east) heading toward Spur Cross and continue 0.4 miles to the Elephant Mountain junction. From here, stay on the main, wide trail (straight ahead) and hike another 0.3 miles to the Tortuga Trail junction. The quickest way back to the trailhead is to head left at this junction and follow the Tortuga Trail for 0.7 miles to the Spur Cross trail junction. Hang a left here and continue 0.6 miles back to the parking lot. LENGTH: 6-mile loop RATING: moderate-rocky, loose footing, creek crossings ELEVATION GAIN : 1000 feet GETTING THERE: Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area is located approximately 35 miles north of central Phoenix. Interstate 17, State Route 51, and Loop 101 can all be used to reach the park. 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 north for approximately 4.5 miles to the public parking area on the right. As of summer 2016, the road is 100% paved.  INFORMATION: www.maricopa.gov/parks/spur_cross/Directions.aspx FEE: There’s a $3 per person daily fee. PLEASE BRING EXACT AMOUNT. The self-serve pay station does not make change. Free maps are usually available at the kiosk.

COLOSSAL CAVE

COLOSSAL CAVE LADDER TOUR Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Tucson Guided tours of Colossal Cave are offered to the public several times each day except on major holidays when the park is closed. Entrance to the cave is by guided tour ONLY. The easy, basic tour takes about 45 minutes. The more difficult “Ladder Tour” (1.5 hours) and the “Wild Cave Tour” (3 hours) require reservations. Both tours require hikers to be in good physical condition and able to climb narrow, vertical ladders. Participants are required to wear helmets with headlamps that are provided by the park and must be able to maneuver through some tight spaces and walk on narrow ledges with deep drop-offs. A tour through the “dry” cave includes visits to a series of “rooms” with names like “Crystal Forest”, “Silent Waterfall” and the “Kingdom of the Elves” that lend a sense of wonder to the limestone chambers of stalactites, stalagmites and bizarre water-borne rock formations. LENGTH: 1 mile underground RATING: fun ELEVTION CHANGE: 50 feet FEES: visit the Web site for current fees and tour information. GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, take I-10 south past downtown Tucson to exit 279 (Vail/Wentworth exit) and follow the signs for about 7 miles to the park. (16721 Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ 85641) INFORMATION: www.colossalcave.com or (520) 647-7275

WEST BOULDER SADDLE

WEST BOULDER SADDLE Superstition Wilderness This trail offers much of what we love about nearby Peralta canyon—soaring cliffs, rugged terrain, a steady climb and terrific views of the Superstition Wilderness Area. The route is an interesting one, passing old campsites, and decommissioned spring and a nice smattering of pinion pines clinging to life in the crumbling volcanic soil. THE HIKE: from the trailhead, hike west on the Lost Goldmine Trail for 1.2 miles to a cattle guard-type opening in the wilderness barbed wire fence. Pass the gate and head north along a clear path-of-use. After about a half-mile, the trail becomes more difficult to follow as it takes on the steep ridge up to the saddle. Near the top, you’ll encounter some slick rock and a few vertical sections---nothing too difficult, but the terrain could be risky when wet. Once at the saddle, hiking options abound---see the Superstition Wilderness map for details. Or, for a simple day hike, just head back the way you came. LENGTH: 4.5 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 2,320 – 3,680 feet GETTING THERE: Take Highway 60 east to Peralta Road (FS77 at milepost 204) where there’s a road sign stating “Peralta Trail”. Turn left onto Peralta Road, set your odometer, and continue through the subdivision for 7.1 miles to the Lost Goldmine trailhead on the left. NOTE: some of the older hiking books recommend using the “Carney Spring” trailhead to access the W. Boulder Saddle route, however, that road had been blocked off and you can no longer drive very far up the road as described in the books. Using the Lost Goldmine trailhead is easier.

BOULDER CANYON

BOULDER CANYON Superstition Wilderness Offering a kalidescope of ever-changing, colorful views, Boulder Canyon Trail #103 provides a memorable tour of the turbulent landscape of the Superstition Wilderness. From the trailhead, the route takes off on an uphill grind along the rocky cliffs above Canyon Lake, topping out at a saddle where the 224-foot-high crest of Mormon Flat Dam is visible peeking out from a stony cove. To the north, the mauve-tinged pinnacles of the Four Peaks wilderness, sit like bold sentries above a sea of barren foothills. From here, the trail moves over a high desert ridgeline of tortured volcanic rock with LaBarge Creek churning hundreds of feet below. During the next few minutes of uphill walking, the blocky massif Battleship Mountain slowly creeps up until its profile looms large on the horizon. At this point, a gorge-riddled terrain takes center stage as the route transitions into an unrelenting series of ups-and-downs—something to keep in mind for hike out—before reaching its terminus at the intersection with Dutchman’s Trail #104. LENGTH: 7.3 miles one-way RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 1,680- 2,300 feet GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, take Highway 60 east to the Idaho Road exit. Go left at the light and follow Highway 88 to the Canyon Lake Marina between mileposts 211 and 212. A Tonto Pass is NOT required as long as you park in the “hiker” section of the marina lot. INFORMATION: fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/recreation/rogs/hikingtrail/wilderness/Trails/superstition/BoulderCanyonTrail103.pdf

DRAGONFLY TRAIL

DRAGONFLY TRAIL Jewel of the Creek Preserve It’s finally open! We learned of this new trail in Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area last winter when it was still under construction. The Dragonfly Trail, which opened in April 2009, was engineered to showcase the desert foothills and thriving riparian environment surrounding the “Jewel of the Creek” area of perrenial Cave Creek. This unexpected strip of lush creek-side willows, alders, walnut trees and cattails is hemmed in by rugged Upper Sonoran Desert terrain making for a breathtaking hybrid desert-wetland hike. While there, you’ll also wander through a mesquite bosque—the 5th rarest eco-system on earth. Although most hikers prefer to grab a map at the trailhead and head out on their own, the park ranger, Kevin Smith—who knows just about everything about the local flora, fauna, geology and human history of the area-- conducts regular guided tours for those who would like an educational experience. Check out the link below to find out when the next one is happening. We can thank the efforts of the Desert Foothills Land Trust for securing the preservation of this delicate eco-system and for also raising the funds needed to plan for and build the trail. Check out their Web site to learn more about this guardian of our beautiful Sonoran Desert and how YOU can help preserve this precious resource: http://www.dflt.org/ LENGTH: 4-mile loop (with optional connecting trails to add length if we like) RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 2,400 -2,150 feet FEE: $3 per person (exact change is required) GETTING THERE: Option 1: From I-17 go east on Carefree Highway (AZ 74) at exit 223. Continue on Carefree Highway for 9.7 miles to Cave Creek Road. Go north onto Cave Creek Road and drive 2.6 miles to Spur Cross Ranch Road. (this is a tricky intersection…the road kind of swerves left and turns into Spur Cross Ranch Road. Continue north for 4.2 miles to the dirt parking on the left. The last mile or so of the road is good dirt and passable by sedan. THE HIKE: from the parking area, hike up the road a few yards, pay your fee and pick up a free map. Option 2: From Loop 101, exit at Cave Creek Road and drive north for approximately 15 miles to Spur Cross Ranch Road. (this is a tricky intersection…the road kind of swerves left and turns into Spur Cross Ranch Road. Continue north for 4.2 miles to the dirt parking on the left. The last mile or so of the road is good dirt and passable by sedan. THE HIKE: from the parking area, hike up the road a few yards, pay your fee and pick up a free map. INFORMATION: visit, http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/spur%5Fcross/ or call 480-488-6623