Before starting this hike, there are some precautions and preparations to note. A 3rd Gen 4Runner and A Pitbull Go Off Road On The Senator Highway, Arizona, How To Find Cell Phone Coverage Using Gaia GPS. You also might remember back to the late aughts and early teens when one Mr. Earl Simmons kept having frequent run-ins with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. I’m Matt Kester, you can find me on Instagram and Facebook via the handle, frugalexplorerdad. Skunk Tank - Cave Creek Loop 10.5 mi 16.8 km • 1,661' Up 506.17 m Up • 1,661' Down 506.16 m Down. No description for Skunk Ridge to Creek trail has been added yet! This mountain bike primary trail can be used downhill primary. When we did this hike in mid-February of 2020, there was a fairly decent flow in the creek and this was the most challenging stream crossing we faced in the entire hike. Cave Creek Trail and Skunk Creek Trail is a 9.8 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Cave Creek, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Skunk Creek Trail #246 is a hiking, trail running, walking adventure located in or near Tonto National Forest, AZ. The trail system spans for about 5.5 miles along Skunk Creek. The trail proceeds past Ashdale Administrative site and onto Cave Creek Trailhead. Skunk Creek Trail is a paved and unpaved system of trails located in Glendale and Peoria in the northwest portion of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Enjoy & research Tonto National Forest, Arizona with trail guides, topo maps, photos, reviews & GPS routes on Trails.com. Cave Creek Trail ties to several other trails, providing opportunities for loop hikes and rides. That’s right, DMX called Cave Creek home! I do not know whether or not this is a year-round flow. At this point, our trail went from being a trail hike to being more of a rough forest road walk. Encountered my first Rattlesnake today from a safe distance on the trail...be alert! Hike up Cibecue Creek in Arizona. We did it counterclockwise and I feel it’s the best way to get the most of the views. That is to say, they are typically very rocky and either slog on in unshaded flatlands lacking in landscape views, or they climb crowded trails to peaks with impressive, yet somewhat alike views of the cityscape. The trail offers a number of activity options. Top Cave Creek Hiking Trails: See reviews and photos of hiking trails in Cave Creek, Arizona on Tripadvisor. The slight increase in elevation does provide for some beautiful views of the rocky streambed below, as well as Cramm Mountain and the network of old switchbacked mining roads winding their way to her summit. The trail starts south, passing the campgrounds and an access road before it reaches Cave Creek 0.5 miles from the parking area. Really enjoyed hiking along the creek at the beginning and crossing back and forth. You can expect the probability of encountering wildlife on the trail. We’ve been at this hiking thing for a little over a year now, and have found a lot of the trails in the Phoenix area can start to feel the same. It is roughly 3-1/2 miles of trails that connect to the Thunderbird Paseo Park for additional trails. For the loop hike described, head South along the Cave Creek Trail #4. Like most “Tanks” in Arizona, it’s a seasonal mud puddle that livestock and wildlife may use. Great hike for views and experiencing various terrain. Hiking to Coon Creek ruins in Arizona. The trail is a beautiful trail and we literally saw only 3 other hikers on the trail. don't try to follow quien sabe 247 trail isn't make anymore I had to turn back after 2miles couldn't see the trail anymore. On average it takes 10 minutes to complete this trail. In places like this, it’s important to make sure you close and secure any gates behind you, and avoid harassing any animals who may be provoked into harming you or themselves as they try to flee from you. From the Spur Cross Trailhead, the trail climbs into Chalk Canyon and continues to climb approximately 160 feet into the Skunk Basin area. Take at least 4+ Bottles of water for each person plus some high energy snacks enough for 8 hours. Once across, we found some shade and proceeded to enjoy our lunch. if I do it again, I think I will just turn around at skunk tank and go back the way I came. 7.7 km double black diamond singletrack trail. Some of the trail wasn't well marked near the creek, but various cairns were helpful. Rarely cell service and we only saw 2 other people on the entire trail. Please note, cell service will be non-existent by the time you find yourself on the dirt portion of the road and will continue to be for the duration of your adventure. Show respect by keeping your space and they will return the courtesy. The trail begins to run along Cave Creek and continues its climb past a stone mining cabin on the western edge of the trail near Skunk Tank Trail junction. Cave Creek Trail Rides is very lucky to have her as an employee. From there, the trail drops 1160' over the next 2.3 miles, passing by Skunk Tank and edging along Skunk Tank Canyon. This trail passes through the Arizona Upland Phase of the Sonoran Desert and through riparian areas of sycamore and cottonwood. The trail goes past a number of local parks. Pants are a great idea- lots of thorny branches and cactus lining the path. By comparison, We previously went on the hike at Lake Louise Canada to the Plain of the 6 glaciers, and this was much harder!! The cairns were helpful. At about a mile and a half from the Cave Creek / Skunk Creek junction is Skunk Tank. I was aware that my spirit was calmed and it was very peaceful along the stream but on the road I began to feel tense and just wanted to get to the end. The trail begins to run along Cave Creek and continues its climb past a stone mining cabin on the western edge of the trail near Skunk Tank Trail junction. Approximately 100 yards from the end of the trail is an interesting abandoned mine. We hiked to the stream in a clockwise direction. If you are looking for beauty and solitude this trail is it. I recommend when you get to the sign that says Cave Creek & Skunkard to take the Skunkard Trail to the left and loop up the mountains then back down the Cave Creek Trail. nice hike but no great view. Another mile up the trail from Skunk Tank, we finally reached our highest elevation of the hike and were rewarded with even more impressive views. Much of this area was burned by the Cave Creek Complex Fire which was started by lightning on June 21, 2005. Follow this trail for a short quarter of a mile where you will see another intersection, Cave Creek Trail. Please feel free to like and subscribe so we can build our community. Like Add to a list They like: Ow, nobody faved, yet. When we reached the stream we headed a little to the left and there is a small waterfall which was the highlight of the hike. Cave Creek Trail Rides is owned and operated by Mathew and Rebekah Cain. All of which were men. Submit one here. You’ll leave the comfort of the bulldozed trail, and find yourself on a rougher, less traveled trail as you descend to Cave Creek, and cross it one final time, rejoin Cave Creek Trail #4 and head to the trailhead. Carefree, AZ. Shortly after voicing my complaint, I was forced to put my foot in my mouth when we encountered one of our few wildlife sightings of the trip. COMPANY HISTORY: Jeff and Deb Bitton started Cave Creek Trail Rides in 1999. Whether or not Wilbur was wild or not isn’t really the point. I went counter clockwise. Cave Creek Loop hike (Cave creek trail and Skunk Tank trail) Hot. Carefree and Cave Creek Hiking. Length 19.7 miElevation gain 2496 ftRoute type Out & Back to Cave Creek Wash Trail near W. Greenway Pkwy.. find trail maps, reviews, photos & driving directions on traillink.com Only minus is the crazy amount of sticks and needles that glued to my boots! Staring out, you’ll hop onto Cave Creek Trail #4 and for the first three-quarters of a mile, the trail parallels the road you just drove in on, back towards the south, but after you drop cross Forest Road 24B, you’ll be on a trail that follows Cave Creek for four miles, with about 400 feet of gradual descent. great wild flowers. This trail is about ten miles long, but we only hiked in about 3 miles. I hiked this trail a week and a half ago with three of my female hiking buddies. I personally would not bother trying to utilize any water I would find there, regardless of treatment options, unless I had a life or death need for water. Nice trail - super diverse landscape. the first part was beautiful walking among the trees along the flowing creek. My car made it just fine, no need for 4wd. Granted I did this with a pack to train for a longer hike. A view of Skunk Ridge from the Skunk Creek Trail (Trail 246). The climbs were no joke, but the payoff is spectacular views that seem to go on forever. That’s not to say Arizona isn’t thoroughly represented. The view was so unique for Arizona, and in ways reminded me of places I had been in Colorado or Montana. Keep an eye on the AllTrails map, we definitely missed turns in a few spots and had to do some backtracking. There was a superb crested saguaro right on the trail! These trails offer hiking, biking and horseback riding. The trail system runs along Skunk Creek, a natural creek bed, so you're apt to see some of … Lots of wildlife of bunnies, mule deer, turkey vultures, a few cows, tons of lizards and a couple snakes! Compare. It was the 2nd worst fire in Arizona history burning more than 248,000 acres. Beautiful Hike 5-10-19 .... Lots of different terrain which kept this hike interesting and fun along with the beautiful sounds of the creek and singing birds. Cave Creek Trail and Skunk Creek Trail is a 9.8 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Cave Creek, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. http://frugalexplorerfamily.com/2020/02/cave-creek-trail-skunk-creek-trail-loop. While there may be places to source water along this hike, as with any hike in Arizona, I recommend you take more water than you think you need, and turn around, or be at the halfway point on loops, before it’s half gone. And climb it does, almost 1100 feet in about a two and a half miles before reaching our terminal elevation of about 4100 feet. The views were incredible. I sincerely hope this video has inspired you to make the trip and hike the Cave Creek Skunk Creek Loop. We download the map to AllTrails and that was a brilliant idea because there is no cell service for the entire trek. and E. Greenway Pkwy. Trail map of the Cave Creek Tributary Trail from N. Cave Creek Rd. Lovely trail for quiet and solitude. This flow was enough to force us to have to do a little bit of rock hopping on the trail to cross without getting our feet wet. Cave Creek Trail & Skunk Creek Trail Loop. This is a difficult loop trail to Skunk Tank in Tonto National Forest. Share what you know about this area! The weather gets warm around mid day and can get quite chilly as the sun goes down so dress in layers. The Seven Springs Campground was built all the way back in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps or CCC. Skunk Tank Trail #246 mountain biking trail in 7 Springs Recreation Area, Arizona. I’d hike there again, with company next time! Just before arriving at the trailhead, you will pass by the now-closed Seven Springs Campground. Today, we are hiking the Cave Creek Trail and Skunk Creek Trail Loop. 167 Miles 269 Kilometers of Trail 3 Recommended Routes 9 Easy Trails ; 18 Intermediate Trails ; 4 Difficult Trails ; Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Someone had recently done some work on the trail, using a bulldozer to smooth out and widen the trail to a point where it would likely be suitable for most four-wheel-drive vehicles. It’s their home, we are just guests in it and also, someone likely depends on these animals for their livelihood, so let’s not do anything which might take food off someone else’s table. The junction of the Cave Creek Trail and Skunk Tank Trail is well marked. The town has also adopted the slogan, “Where the Wild West Lives,” and it’s not without its share of outlaws. Cave Creek Trails The Town of Cave Creek maintains a network of multi-use trails that connects portions of the Town, providing access to Cave Creek Regional Park, Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, the Tonto National Forest, and linkages to the 314-mile Maricopa Trail and the Desert Foothills Land Trust properties. We saw wild horses, colorful birds , cows , deer and even a skunk. The trail system spans for about 5.5 miles along Skunk Creek and connects to the Arizona Canal Trail and the New River Trail. For those of you who like to source their water on the trail, this is the last spot we saw easily accessible water we’d consider treating to drink. From here, we started downhill for a half-mile, then back uphill for another half mile, and downhill for another half before finding ourselves near the abandoned Quien Sabe Mine. I swam, the water was so nice. I would recommend to wear long pans Grass is high 2 Would hike that one again in a heartbeat! The ridges and canyons, as well as the trees and flowers, are inspiring. Extensive dirt and narrow roads to get to trail head but worth the drive. The southwest end of the trail is located at its junction with the New River Trail at Rio Vista Community Park. Alltrails Link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/arizona/cave-creek-trail-and-skunk-creek-trail, Our Gaia GPS Track: https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=12.6/-111.8701/33.9551&popupLoc=-111.87917/33.96399&trackId=02c0301f0b805c756b9edc16fafcc412&pubLink=8pQV7pdqJi48oyQMIhoXV1Tj, CCC Campground: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recarea/?recid=35205, Cave Creek Trailhead: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recarea/?recid=35243. Cibecue Creek Hot. Seven Springs Road eventually turns into a dirt road for the final 8 or so miles to the Cave Creek Trailhead, but it’s fairly well maintained and shouldn’t be a problem for most passenger vehicles. I encountered just one group of three people, and they had turned back at the crossing just before the Skunk Tank junction. The area is just not very enjoyable from a scenery standpoint. Lots of running water and some wild flowers. The campground is a fee-area but does feature vaulted toilets. Just a little further up the road is the CCC Campground, where the men of the CCC stayed while they were building the Seven Springs Recreation area. Great trail! The trail provides a link to residences, businesses and parks, as well as two recreation centers: Peoria's Rio Vista Community Park and Recreation Center and Glendale's Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center. Went here today for quick day hike. It’s a ten and a half-mile loop with over 1500 feet of elevation and a great place to kill an entire day. The total elevation gain of this hike is in the next 1.5 miles of this trail. Are you an events organizer? I am a seasoned hiker and would rate this more hard than moderate. You’ll be rewarded with a 180-degree view of Cave Creek, Cramm Mountain, and trail you just walked down. Start off with walking along a a creek where it’s fully shaded. Always keep your eyes open for things that crawl and slither, along with javelina, coyotes, and livestock. We went clockwise and I would recommend that. It is a beautiful incorporated community just north of Scottsdale featuring some great restaurants and shopping. After a mile or so of this, we drop down for one last crossing of Cave Creek. Temperatures out here can be significantly lower than those in the Phoenix valley, so bringing an extra layer is a good idea. It was a nice hike and not too tough! 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