Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area

This park is over 2,000 acres of protected Sonoran Desert upland, with  surrounding mountain peaks reaching over 3,000 feet in elevation.  The area wasn't always a pristine landscape as evidence of mining and ranching is apparent throughout the preserve.  But it's Cave Creek - not the eclectic community just to the south but the seasonally flowing riparian habitat - that is the big draw today.  Along with the distinctive Elephant Mountain in the park's western sector, the preserve offers the best in desert exploration.  Dozens of mile of trails meander through dense forests of mesquite trees, along babbling cottonwood tree-lined brooks and above canyons of saguaro cacti.

Before the miners, ranchers and hikers, it was ancient native people who called this newest addition to the Maricopa County Regional Park System home.   While archaeological sites exist, they are mostly off the well-marked main trails - ranger-guided hikes are required to visit them.  However, I did see some petroglyphs on my visit.

As to be expected in such a verdant environment, wildlife abounds.  I saw a bobcat just several minutes into my hike.  And to no surprise, I encountered two rattlesnakes, countless lizards and the distinctive, pungent smell of a skunk.  I also identified many birds, including doves, verdins, ravens, cardinals, phainopeplas, curve-billed thrashers, black-throated sparrows, northern flickers, gila woodpeckers, roadrunners, Gambel's quails, kinglets, western kingbirds, white-crowned sparrows, kestrels and several hummingbirds.  Cave Creek was still flowing in a few areas, so I was able to see some frogs and tadpoles in addition to many dragonflies.  Even higher on the trails, gnats and other irritating insects continuously buzzed my head.

I hiked a little over six miles total, on very well graded and marked trails.  I mostly followed Spur Cross northeast from the parking area, detouring on the Mariposa Hill spur for a view north of Cave Creek.  I then hooked up with Metate, taking it south through the creek's flood plain back to Spur Cross, which I took higher east to Dragonfly.  I followed it south above and through Boca Grande Wash back to Cave Creek, where I explored the local trails in the Jewel of the Creek Preserve - another entity that protects these pristine lands.  From there, I followed Spur Cross Road back to my car.

The early morning view driving into the preserve from the main road and the community of Cave Creek to the south.

View of Elephant Mountain in the western area of the park.

Bobcat in a drainage area leading to Cave Creek.  Thanks to the park ranger who alerted to me the cat's presence, I got this shot.

View of the dense cactus groves and mountains in the conservation area.

A juvenile black-throated sparrow, a favorite bird in the desert.  Note his throat isn't yet black, an indication he's a young bird.

Curve-billed thrasher in an ocotilla, showing his splayed wing feathers.

View of a still wet Cave Creek from the Mariposa Hill Trail.

A coiled and silent western diamondback rattlesnake.  I think the cool early morning temperatures kept him calm, and me safe.

Closer view of a verdant Cave Creek with cottonwood and mesquite trees, from Spur Cross Trail.

While not posing for any easy pictures, this male northern cardinal filled many stretches of the hike with his loud and melodious songs.  He's high atop a large mesquite tree.

While wildflower season has certainly peaked and passed, this white prickly poppy was growing in the quickly drying creek bed. 

Winter rains would have certainly made use of these boardwalks in crossing a flowing Cave Creek.

View of a verdant Cave Creek's floodplain, a descriptive picture of the 'emerald ribbon of life' that so many animals and peoples have relied on.  Most of the trees are mesquite, along with several taller cottonwood trees.  The saguaro cacti are assembled safely above the flood levels.

One of hundreds of lizards sharing the trails with hikers.

An example of ancient peoples' rock art or petroglyphs, close to the intersection of Dragonfly and Spur Cross Trails.  I was on the lookout for desert tortoises, and was close to a trail called Tortuga, so I'd like to think the patterns represent turtle shells.  

High above Boca Grande Wash, the landscape is a saguaro cactus forest.

Dragonfly Trail takes you to a lower and lush area of Cave Creek.  Among the many insects was this tarantula hawk, a type of wasp that indeed hunts the hairy spider.

Female American kestrel safe atop a blooming saguaro cactus.

Blooming saguaro cactus.

The early fruit of a cactus.  Both the saguaro and prickly pear also create fruit, a reassurance that the encroaching desert heat will bring sustenance for many animals, including people.