Spur Cross and Maricopa Trail #252 Loop

Trail DescriptionFrom the parking lot, take the dirt road past the white gate to the official trailhead. You can do this loop in either direction, but we chose to go clockwise leaving the creek crossings for the way back.

Make a left at the trailhead area marked for Spur Cross trail. In a quarter mile you will reach the first creek crossing and start heading up hill to the Tortuga Trail. Take Tortuga to the Elephant Mountain trail. When you come to the Elephant Mountain trail turn off, keep on the Spur Cross trail heading to the right. As you continue to ascend the plateau/hill, take some time to stop and enjoy the views around you. You will see many different soil compositions/minerals yielding some very colorful scenery and mountains.

At the top of the trail you will reach the TR252 junction where you want to keep right. As the trail continues to wind up and down the small canyons and washes, keep an eye out for a number of springs and riparian areas. The trail will start descending on the other side of the range into a magnificent valley. Eventually you will reach a Corral right next to Cave Creek. This is an excellent place to rest up and enjoy the sounds of the creek...once ready, continue by walking through the Corral and crossing the creek over the wooden "bridge". You will follow the creek for over a mile here and cross the creek a few more times. Notice the Saguaros; they are some of the largest specimens we have seen!

Once you reach the gate for the Maricopa County Park boundary, we decided to take the Metate Trail to the right. This trail takes you back down to the creek riparian area and offers a number of man made ponds (Solar Oasis) and more very large Saguaros. Eventually you will intersect the Spur Cross trail, make a left and take it back to the parking lot.