Make the Quick Trip to Spur Cross and Experience the High Sonoran Desert

HOW TO GET THERE

Finding hikes that give you all the remoteness without the long drive from The Valley is my bread and butter. There are a few ways to get here, but the most straightforward is to hop on Loop 101/Pima Freeway (north Scottsdale/Phoenix) and take exit 28 for Cave Creek Road. Head north for about 20 minutes — soak in the views because this beautiful stretch will eventually be developed! You’ll take a left on Spur Cross Road, follow the curve to the right, and then make a quick left to continue along Spur Cross. Within 15 minutes you’ll arrive in the Spur Cross area, which I love to note is protected thanks to the locals. In 2001, the community voted to tax themselves in order to prevent further development.

Because of their efforts, the Spur Cross Conservation Area is now a protected 2,154-acre ranch that provides a safe home for a wide range of Sonoran Desert flora and fauna. The area has 11 established trails, including a section of the Maricopa Trail, and welcomes hikers, bikers, dogs, horses, archaeologists, event seekers, and stargazers. Camping, however, is not yet approved here — which might be for the best anyway.

A DEBRIEF

Spur Cross represents classic high Sonoran Desert, which is considered the most biologically diverse high desert in all of North America because of the ample rain in summer and winter. Additionally, this area is anchored by one of the last few continuous year-round springs in Cave Creek. Thanks to these water sources, massive cottonwoods, willows, and a mesquite bosque thrive here. I write more on this in another article and will share that tomorrow.

Spur Cross can get hot, so summer trekking is definitely a challenge. But each season brings its own magic. One summer I was lucky enough to hike alongside a desert tortoise. Spring brings wildflowers, fall has perfect temps, and winter is when the stream is most abundant. Truly, Spur Cross is a year-round gem.

Our December plan was simple: start on Spur Cross, climb Tortuga, loop around and descend Elephant Mountain, reconnect with Spur Cross, then hit Boca Grande before dipping into Dragonfly and calling it a day.

At Spur Cross we enjoyed a supple flowing stream before our first climb up Tortuga, the day’s opening quad-burner. Looking back at where we started, the landscape was shockingly green with bursts of color, likely thanks to the previous night’s rain. Brittlebush were in yellow bloom, fat ocotillo showed late-season orange tips, and healthy lime-green saguaros dotted the hillsides. Tortuga was a grind with small breathers until the Tortuga–Elephant junction. This flat area is one of the best places to take in excellent views of Sugarloaf and Elephant Mountains.

The Elephant Mountain trail is minimally maintained and comfortably overgrown, which adds to the sense of remoteness. The trail drops into a dry wash (follow the cairns) before hitting the next steady climb. Like Tortuga, it’s fully manageable but you’ll definitely feel it until you hit the saddle. From there, a flat, green expanse contrasts beautifully with the eroded volcanic rock beneath your feet. Descending from this height toward Spur Cross is highly recommended. There’s a quick offshoot to reach the top of the elephant’s “head” which makes for a great lunch spot and views.

The descent has a gentle tilt and opens into lush mini-meadows — this is where I walked with the tortoise that one summer. Reconnect with Spur Cross and move through groves of healthy saguaros and supple shrubs. At Boca Grande, take a short descent through a bouldery section that leads to towering cottonwoods and the Jewel of the Creek. Follow the Dragonfly Trail east into a riparian oasis dressed in autumn colors, then cross a 12-foot-wide stream on your way out. What a treat!

Our hike wrapped up here, but Spur Cross offers an incredible range of habitats within a relatively small area. There’s so much to explore, and it truly showcases what Arizona’s high desert has to offer. December is a sweet time to visit — enjoy this one as much as I do.

Ren Fou