Copper Cactus Ranch Loop, AZ

Notice
You can only do this loop if you're a Copper Cactus Ranch guest.


Overview
This hike is a great 5-mile loop from the private Copper Cactus Ranch, through canyons, and partially on a dirt road. A good portion of it is across their private property (and directly through the guest area).

Warning
There is one instance of barbed wire, but it is easy to get under (marked with an orange tag). And please send this route to the Route Scout app to follow since most of this hike is in washes, and there are no trail markers, except the blue stones on the portion of the hike on Copper Cactus Ranch.

Hike
This hike is all in wash corridors except for the portion on a little-used road. There isn't a lot of actual trail to follow, and you need to know which washes to follow. But the canyon is beautiful, with some wonderful rock formations, cacti, and water if it's been a rainy winter. There is one point where you'll come across a barbed wire fence across the wash. When we hiked this, an orange tag was on the portion of the fence that was easiest to get under, and it wasn't that difficult. The fence is to keep cattle in/out (you may find cowpies on this hike) due to the ranching in the area. When it's been wet, this has some beautiful streams and pools, though not many cascades.

We hiked this clockwise, and I'd recommend that otherwise, you may be walking into the sun downcanyon for much of the way back. Leave CCR to the west, past the pool, and come back by Elephant Butte, which btw is private and likely you can't get up there without getting in trouble with the property owner :)

Don't miss the stunning views north when walking back on the road! I think it's Robber's Roost you can see.

Check out the Official Route and Triplog.

Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.

2020-03-09 cdeperro