OVERVIEW: Bronco Trail #245 is part of the Tonto National Forest Cave Creek/Seven Springs trail system. It is a moderate hike through the non-riparian parts of this approximately 30 mile trail system. At this elevation you have left Saguaro habitat for shrub and chaparral habitat. This area was burned in the Cave Creek Complex Fire in July 2005. Topo: 7.5 Humboldt Mountain.

DESCRIPTION The large trailhead has been designed & equipped for equestrians. It has staging corrals and water for horses. The Forest Service maintains the restrooms. This area is a few degrees cooler than Phoenix, but it has very little shade and can be very hot from June through September. Trailhead elevation is 3,700 feet.

The trail starts as an old jeep trail in a southwesterly direction. It climbs quickly up a small hill (220 feet in 1/2 mile). This old jeep trail meanders along a ridge with great views to the south. At 1.3 miles the trail narrows as you cross a small grassy saddle. You curve around then along the north side of a hill above a creekbed. At 1.7 miles you cross the small creekbed and proceed across some grassland. The trail narrows and becomes steeper. You continue up and along the south side of a mountain with views of Skull Mesa and the Tonto National Forest. You reach a saddle at 2.4 miles. This is the highest point on the trail at 4,230 feet. You trek steeply down to a stock tank at 2.6 miles. Look for the trail markers & cairns on the southwest side of this stock tank. I have seen muledeer near this tank. You head up and over a hill west of the stock tank. Then continue mostly downhill. Stay to the right at a small T junction at 3.2 miles. It is well marked. You pass to the north of a stocktank. At 3.7 miles you reach the "T" junction with Cottonwood Trail #247. Most of the old fence was destroyed by the fire and has not been rebuilt. The trail showed signs of recent maintenance and improvements.
- Dec 14 2005 Al_HikesAZ