A Riparian Woodland Adventure Good for Kids: Metate & Jewel of the Creek

HOW TO GET THERE

You need to get to Cave Creek and my preferred route is Loop 101-N to Tatum. Or you could take the Cave Creek exit 28 north. Once at Spur Cross Rd, take a left and follow the curve to the right, then make a quick left to continue on Spur Cross. Drive for 15 minutes and you will arrive at the Spur Cross area. The neighboring community saved this place: they voted to tax themselves in order for the area to receive the designation “Limited use public recreation and conservation area” which will continue to protect and prevent development in the area. Major props to all those folks!

A DEBRIEF

As I have mentioned before in my other article about conquering 5 trails in 4 hours within 30 minutes of Phoenix, what I really appreciate about the Spur Cross Conservation Area is the diversity of options one can experience here. Short hikes, long hikes, water hikes, strenuous, easy, high desert scenes, riparian habitats, mesquite bosques, equestrian riding, star gazing… there is something for everyone or every attitude. Review this trail map and the Spur Cross Events page to see all the potential for your future adventures.

In this hike, we took our sweet time and started slowly, worked our quads pretty hard up Tortuga, then strolled easily back down through the riparian oasis before the parking lot. It was still 6.1 miles, but a moderately easy day.

We hopped on Spur Cross heading east and took the quickie loop Fairy Duster which brings you up a tiny hill to provide an open view of the area. We sampled some prickly pear fruit (Opuntia engelmannii) because we could tell it was in season. You must be careful with the many spines, but this is delightful fresh and ripe.

The water in this area is particularly rare: the creek is one of the last continuous year-round springs in this high desert town. This has allowed the flora to flourish…and flourish it has!

Continuing, these constant waters have allowed gigantic saguaros to grow and two mesquite bosques to thrive. This type of bosque is known to draw in and keep moisture within an area, so it is particularly beneficial to exist in drought-prone locations. Some of the saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) are so massive! It is quite the experience to weave through a grove of so many mature and immense saguaro.

After a trip through all these saguaro, the trees become more abundant and create a solid shade cover from the Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina). I do need to rave more on mesquite trees because their significance is wildly underrated. Humans have relied on this tree for centuries: the wood for cooking, fuel, and shelter; the beans for a low-glycemic flour; and the fallen pods for fixing nitrogen in the soil. The tree’s dark sap has even been used for paint and medicinal remedies. Mesquites also have impressive root systems: lateral roots which grab surface moisture and deep taproots that reach groundwater. And thanks to their tiny leaves, they lose very little moisture. In short, mesquites are a powerhouse of the Southwest. I go to a local mesquite walk and milling event almost every summer in Phoenix — if you’re curious, check out The Urban Farm’s Mesquite Milling program because you do have the potential to harvest and produce your own mesquite flour!

But also, these bosques are known for providing a home to numerous bird species, which is aided by the perennial creek; what this means is that you have a chance to watch local and migratory birds all year round. According to Cornell Labs eBird site, 195 bird species have been documented in the Jewel of the Creek section. Birds love mesquite bosques because the leaves and pods are a food source for the little critters the birds like to eat. Combined with the tangly, gnarly wood, mesquite bosques provide a great place for shelter and protection from predators, making it an ideal place for breeding, nesting, and roosting. *An offshoot trail called Towhee allows you to quickly immerse yourself in the home of Abert’s Towhee, a non-migratory bird species who resides here. 

There is a little solar oasis near the end of the Metate, featuring a small pond covered in lily pads allowing native desert pupfish and Gila topminnow to repopulate. It is fed by a solar-powered well, and there is a nearby bench with the lyrics “Where do we go from here” written in cursive; I wonder what song this is from? My immediate thought is ‘Rock On’ by David Essex but I know there are many other potentials. Hence, on many occasions this has served as a cute, shaded, and reflective picnic spot.

Once done with Metate, you can continue west on Spur Cross or head up Tortuga. Spur Cross will remain level for the most part but can eventually take you to meet the Maricopa Trail. If this is not your goal and want a bit of a workout, head up Tortuga toward Elephant Mountain.

We hiked the northern part of Dragonfly, but the whole loop is only 1.1 miles long if you really want to immerse yourself in a desert oasis. December is also the prime month to enjoy this riparian habitat; the trees will be full and the birds will be singing. While Tortuga can be a challenge for little kids, Fairy Duster, Metate, Dragonfly, and Jewel of the Creek are fantastic spots to bring tinier humans. I will post a deeper review on all the wonders of Jewel of the Creek another time.

Walking back to the main parking lot, the horses from Arizona Horseback Adventures usually like to do a vibe check on us. They are always so friendly but do be careful if you plan to get close.

Now…carp(e) those DMs and opt outside!

Ren Fou