Petroglyphs

[TheNaviG8R]

Hello, I will be hiking the Spur Cross Loop this weekend and was wondering if there any interesting petroglyphs, dwellings, ruins or anything of interest on or very nearby the trail (GPS coords)? I will have my two kids with me, so I'd like for them to something like that to keep them interested in hiking. Any help would be great.

[The_Eagle]

These are the ones I'm aware of.

On the Metate Trail
petroglyphs on back Rock N33 53.592 W111 57.087
Metate at Base of Cactus N33 53.879 W111 56.915
(I may have those reversed?)

ruins In the Area,
Foundations for the old ranch can be seen along the Metate Trail.

on top of Skull Mesa (This is a pretty long round trip from Spur Cross TH)
N33 56.873 W111 55.883 Pueblo
N33 56.948 W111 55.940 Fort

On Elephant Mountain
N33 53.737 W111 58.975

I'm sure there are more in the area

[PaleoRob]

If you use traildex, you can sort by ruins. Also geocoded culture-labeled photos are a great way to find rock art or ruins (is there a way to sort labels by geocoded/not geocoded?).

[joebartels]

Sendo I highly recommend tagging in the tiny Tohwee spur if you enjoy LUSH http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1456

[tibber]

Wendy and I just got back from doing: Spur Cross - Metate - Spur Cross/Tortuga - Dragonfly - Jewel of the Crown. There is a petroglyph at the first wash (Cottonwood) located on the NW bank (go to the north bank, walk west a little and there are some big brown rocks) http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=62988.
And then of course, along the Metate below a large cactus is the metate. The turn to the area is surrounded by TALL grass. Also in this area, you will see that wild cucumber is vining over other trees and cactus and such almost creating topiaries. You will need to follow the flourescent tags as you get close to the creek crossing so that you can keep on the trail.
As Joe said, not long before the trail veers right to go on the Spur Cross/Tortuga to the west, you will see ruins of the ranch including the swimming pool (close to the Creek) and there is also a pond to the east that is used to water some of the plantings in the area. There is a marble bench there now.
As you climb about the second hill of the Spur Cross/Tortuga Trail there are some small brown rock walls to the south but you really have to look for them.
The most INCREDIBLE thing today though was coming down into the wash via Dragonfly to the Jewel of the Crown as the destruction from the heavy water flow is simply amazing. There is plenty here to even entertain the adults including a sliced-up (via Preston's favorite instrument, chainsaw) saguaro. Also, you used to be able to continue north past a little cave but that is all blocked now by debris. Anyway, this area is full of wonder for everyone to ponder.

[TheNaviG8R]

Thaks to everyone who had input for this hike. We really enjoyed it. Thanks again.

[Alston_Neal]

If you stay on the main trail as it goes up the canyon, past the trail heads for 7 Springs and past the mine, you'll come to what we call petro plaza.
It's about 3 miles give or take and on yoyr right.
Some nic petros and many multi metates. Be careful of snakes in those rocks, we seem to have a bumper crop this year.
Seen 2 at Spur cross already.