Quartz Trail - CCRP, AZ

Overview
This is a new trail (as of December 2011) in the southern part of the Cave Creek Recreation Area. It can be used to create a short loop or to extend the Go John Trail loop for a longer hike. The views are nice and provide a pleasant change from those on this section of the Go John.


Hike
I did this hike as an extension of the Go John Trail, which I hiked in the clockwise direction. At 4.60 miles N33 50.247 W111 59.176 on the Go John, the new Quartz Trail goes left at a signed junction. The trail is well-graded and easy to follow. It descends for a short distance then climbs gradually for about 1/4 miles. Then it descends, gradually losing 300 feet while following the contours around the hills in the southern part of the park. The trail is 1.35 miles long and ends at the Slate Trail at N33 49.619 W111 59.290. Turn right onto the Slate Trail. From here, you can follow the Slate Trail to its terminus south of the Go John trailhead or turn right on the Jasper Trail, which will bring you back to the Go John, where turning left will bring you back to the trailhead. This was a total of 7.0 miles, adding about 1.2 miles to the Go John loop.A shorter route would be to hike from the trailhead on the Slate Trail, left on the Quartz Trail, and left on the Go John to return. I estimate this to be about 3.5 miles. Other options are available using the Slate and Flume Trail as well.

2011-12-08 MEWhiteman