Elephant Mountain provides a scenic, historic adventure

<i>Stan Bindell/NHO</i><br>
Hikers stand and enjoy the magnificent view close to the top of Elephant Mountain.

<i>Stan Bindell/NHO</i><br> Hikers stand and enjoy the magnificent view close to the top of Elephant Mountain.

SPUR CROSS RANCH CONSERVATION AREA, CAVE CREEK, Ariz. - Elephant Mountain is the longest hike within Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, but for those in shape it's only a moderate hike with plenty of nature and history along the way.

This six-mile hike climbs about 1,100 feet and takes less than five hours.

Kevin Smith, master ranger at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, tells hikers that the highlights of this hike are the Hohokam Ruins, the archeological sites and the cliff face with fort-looking rocks that were used as lookouts.

Smith often leads hikes at Spur Cross on Saturdays and Sundays. Hikers can hike Elephant Mountain by themselves, but during hikes with Smith he takes the hikers into archeological areas that are usually restricted.

The Elephant Mountain Trail is listed as not maintained and that hikers use it at their own risk. Spur Cross is used by horseback riders, but the Elephant Mountain Trail is not recommended for novice equestrians.

There is no water along Elephant Mountain except for about three-quarters of the way up hikers can find Ringneck Spring where the old ranchers put in a pump spout.

Stephen Rucker, a California transplant who was along on the guided hike, said the Elephant Mountain hike is awesome because it gives the hiker the immediacy of seeing remnants of a culture that was a millennium away.

"To stand in a grouping of houses that is thousands of years old and looking down at pot shards is special and compelling," he said.

Rucker, who is part Creek Tribe from Alabama, said it's amazing to go through the desert and find the homes of people who were here long before any lights. He said coming from California it's amazing to be in a state where "you can just stumble upon it (Hohokam ruins)."

Rucker said the ruins at the top of Elephant Mountain makes him wish that more was known about the Hohokam. He also noted that from the top of Elephant Mountain that the hiker gets the full vista of the area. Skull Mesa and Black Mountain can be seen from here along with the colorful cottonwood and sycamore trees below.

"The view made me want to check out everything else," he said. "The hike was a great workout. All I had to take along was two water bottles and a peanut bar."

Rucker also called it amazing that from the urban area it takes only 25 minutes to get into nature at Spur Cross.

Spur Cross Conservation Area

The Spur Cross Conservation Area offers 12 miles of hiking within 2,154 acres. There are at least six different trails within the conservation area, but more importantly there are connecting trails.

On the south side, the Jewel of the Desert trust land offers a unique riparian area that connects with Go John Trail in Cave Creek Regional Park and eventually to trails leading to Anthem. The north side of Spur Cross borders Tonto National Forest which offers a multitude of endless trails.

Smith said the Spur Cross trails are clear and few get lost. He said there are many more who get lost in Tonto National Forest. Those heading into Tonto National Forest should take along the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office phone number at (602) 876-1000.

According to Spur Cross literature, the conservation area offers a scenic, diverse, rugged upland Sonoran desert habitat. The remnants of a ranch and a gold mine are also found here. There is also diverse wildlife and a multitude of birds.

Spur Cross is the last site to be added to Maricopa County Regional Park System in 2001. Many find it to be a desert oasis because Cave Creek runs through it and the natural stream is a unique find just north of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Long-term plans call for a visitor center, but budget limitations make that years away. Smith would like to see full-service restrooms to replace the current port-a-potties. These facilities are not far from the parking area. Picnic tables and an information kiosk, which includes maps of the trails, are also found here.

From this kiosk area, Elephant Mountain can be seen. Smith said in the right light that it is so named because it looks like an elephant. On this day, I couldn't see it. About a week later I was back staring at the spot. I noticed a round indention in the mountain that seemed like the eye. From there, I could see the head and the tusk.

Finally, an Arizona elephant.

The trail is open to hikers and horseback riders. No motorized vehicles are allowed. Pets are welcome, but must be leashed. Spur Cross Stables is just to the right while driving into the Spur Cross for those who want to get a horse.

Donate to nhonews.com Report a Typo Contact
Most Read