Wind Cave • Hike • Arizona • HikeArizona.COM

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Statistics
	Difficulty: 2.5 Route Finding: 1
	Distance Round Trip	3.2 miles
	Trailhead Elevation	2000 feet
	Elevation Gain	800 feet
	Avg Time Round Trip	1.5 - 2 hour

Author joe bartels

	Descriptions: 189
	Routes: 263
	Photos: 5,566
	Trips: 1,061 map (4,491 Miles)
	Age: 40 Gender:
	Location: Phoenix, AZ

HAZ Member Photos

Photos Date

Member

05-23-2010

paulhubbard

04-02-2010

Rick Vincent

03-20-2010

kenandjude

03-16-2010

duetashley

02-08-2010

leonesiegel

01-29-2010

Jim Lyding

01-28-2010

Rick Vincent

12-29-2009

Hiker Girl

11-08-2009

cw50must

10-04-2009

Hiker Girl

09-10-2009

Chriskup

06-01-2009

snakemarks

03-28-2009

dromero

02-27-2009

azdesertfath

02-13-2009

Tortoise Hik

01-15-2009

Mattrgrs12

Page: 1, 2, 3

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Rated

Viewed

Mesa NE

Forest Tonto
Backpack - No
Seasons - Autumn to Early Spring

GPS Routes

2009-02-27 azdesertfather

1.47 mi

2010-01-30 Jim Lyding

6.74 mi

Default Route by dandrayan

1.41 mi

Linked Routes

Wind Cave via Meridian TH
2010-04-04 wallyfrack

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Map - Beartooth Phoenix

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Nearby

Hikes

Springs

Direct Air Miles Away to Trailhead

0 •	Cat Peaks Loop
0 •	Merkle Memorial Trail
0 •	Pass Mountain Ridgeline
0 •	Pass Mountain Trail
0.6 •	Blevins Trail

[ View More! ] [ View Springs! ]

Fauna

		Black-Throated Sparrow
		Cliff Chipmunk
		Gilded Flicker
		Greater earless lizard
		Harris Hawk
		Rock Wren

Flora

		Barrel Cactus
		Blue Dicks
		Brittlebush
		Chain Fruit Cholla
		Chuckwallas Delight
		Chuparosa
		Coulter's Lupine
		Creosote Bush
		Desert Chicory
		Desert Lavender
		Desert Marigold
		Emorys Rock Daisy
		Fairy Duster
		Fiddleneck
		Longleaf Ephedra
		Mabrya
		Mexican Gold Poppy
		Mustard Evening Primrose
		Narrow-Leaved Popcorn Flower
		Ocotillo
		Rattlesnake Weed
		Red Maids
		Saguaro
		Star Solomon's-seal
		Strawberry Hedgehog
		Trixis
		Wild Buckwheat
		Wild Heliotrope
Wildflowers best February 10th - April 20th
* Autumn Color possible

Okay
by joe bartels

Wind Cave receives a fair amount of chit chat regarding the disagreeable trail name. The cave is more of a notch or shallow alcove at best. Bathrooms, several Pepsi machines and a water fountain are all located at the trailhead.

Within the first few minutes you enter Tonto National Forest. Saguaro roots cross the trail soon after. Gradually ascend the first half mile. Well built and maintained the trail itself is more of a highlight than the destination.

Desert cacti and palo verde dominate the landscape. Heavy concentrations of Saguaros pack the area. Continue the steep trek up and across the face of Pass Mountain. The trail proved to be more of a huffer than expected. Valley views just get better as you go up. The cave isn't anything to get excited about. A few hanging plants cling to the roof and that's about it. Just past the Wind Cave sign is another sign indicating non-maintained trail ahead. Someone has scratched off the "non" part. Views to the south are just around the corner but be careful.
- May 09 2000 joe bartels

Preferred Months	Feb, Mar, Nov & Dec			Wish List
Water/Source:	none			Login Required
Preferred Start Time:	Any	Cell Phone Signal:	~Light	Sunrise 5:37am	Sunset 7:28pm

Park & Recreation PDF Map

Road/Vehicle: Paved - Car Okay

Fees/Permit:

AZ State & Regional Parks - $6 per car or $2 per person hiking into the park

Tonto Pass is a forest wide permit for recreational sites and campgrounds. It's not for trailheads. Rarely necessary, only if specifically mentioned above.

Directions to Usery Trailhead: From Mesa go east on US 60 past Power Road to Ellsworth. Head north on Ellsworth which eventually turns into Usery Pass Road somewhere north of McDowell I believe. Usery Mountain Recreation area where the trailhead is located is east of this road. It's not hard to find. Enter the park. Follow to Wind Cave Dr and follow to the trailhead. There is an awesome Ocotillo to the right of the restrooms.

Feedback from a man named Carl: For $1 per-person public access turn right (east) off Ellsworth Road at McKellips road and drive about 2 miles until it ends at Crismon Rd. There is a parking on the SW corner. Entrance to the park is on the NE corner, there are maps and a payment box. Trail that heads north is loose and hard to walk, go east 1/2 mile to trail then head north 1 mile to horse staging area.

From PHX (I-10 & AZ-51) 34.8 mi - about 43 mins (up to 1 hour 10 mins in traffic)
From TUC (Jct 1-10 & Grant) 128 mi - about 2 hours 0 mins
From FLG (Jct I-17 & I-40) 173 mi - about 2 hours 45 mins

[Update Directions] [Update Permit]

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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