SPUR CROSS looping back on METATE: I made a wrong turn right off the bat (turned right at the picnic area) and climbed a small hill; soon realized there really wasn't much of a trail or tracks and came back down and headed up the Spur Cross Trail (an old jeep road) until you come to Cave Creek.

I wanted to hook up with the Metate but apparently didn't see the sign so went across Cave Creek and travelled a little further north on Spur Cross. When I realized I wasn't turning west; I figured I must have missed the turn so I hiked back to Cave Creek, went up the hill and saw the sign for the Metate Trail.

The Metate Trail takes you above Cave Creek, through some larger brush and some gigantic sahuaros that provide much needed shade. You can also do a quick detour on the Towhee Trail that takes you closed to Cave Creek and then back up to the Metate. The colors are so shocking with the sycamore trees dotted here and there. The trail had quite a few hikers and horseback riders on it at different intervals. It's about a 2.5 mile hike or so; however for me this day it probably was over 3 miles.