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Short Trail to a Little Cave by jacobemerick  Overview Picacho Peak State Park has more than the tough and challenging trail to the top of the peak. On a small hill there is a little nook called Children's Cave, at the end of a short trail that is perfect for family hiking. Hike Right at the beginning of Barrett Loop are some parking spots, a restroom, and a small sign for Children's Cave Trail. Park here and follow the trail from the sign, which immediately crosses a shallow wash over a well-built bridge. Then the trail continues west, with a few informative signs along the way, slowly gaining elevation. There is a bend to the left and a little bit more climb, with some cables for some protection against the downhill next to the trail, before the cave shows up. The cave itself is just tall enough for an adolescent to walk in without ducking (thus the name, probably) and is only a few feet deep. There are a few other cool things near here to check out, depending on the group. A few dozen yards up the road from the trailhead is a small playground area with some of the coolest swings I've seen. There are several pavilions for picnics and plenty of unnamed trails, some connecting to Nature Trail, to bump up the total mileage of your hike. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
One-Way Notice This hike is listed as One-Way. When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
