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| Hiking | 6.50 Miles |
1,450 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.50 Miles | 4 Hrs | | 1.63 mph |
| 1,450 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Our original plan (couple years back) was to do trail #4 from Seven Springs recreation area down to the Spur Cross TH. At that time it was about 10 miles and mostly downhill following Cave Creek through the canyon. Yesterday we finally got around to doing some of this but we did an out and back for two reasons. First the TH at the NE end is just over a half mile longer and the TH at the SW end is 2 miles farther. This would make the total distance 12.5 miles. Second there is water in Cave Creek and in places rushing quite fast. To do the entire hike would require 8 creek crossings, not possible without some major wading in the water. If you want to do the entire 12.5 miles the trail is really not difficult and an October or November schedule (according to the ranger office) would probably reveal stepping stones to make all the crossings with convenient rock hopping.
Our hike was more of an investigative venture and formed our opinion that we could do the 12.5 miles in 8 or 9 hours. Many of you could do it faster but I have to push things to do 1.5 mph. Again this trail 4 would lend itself to a fairly good gait.
This terrain is completely different from the Superstitions where I live and do most hiking. The hills are rounded and really remind you of being in another state. The bad Cave Creek fire a fire few years back still has the land scarred but it is recovering. We went in about3.5 miles and then returned. You basically follow Cave Creek as it wanders toward the Spur Cross area. There are a few other trails that go off of trail 4 but most have some major climbing while trail 4 gradually goes the flow direction of Cave Creek. The writer known as "Four Peaks" give a detailed mile by mile description of the total hike that seems very accurate. Of course we had to get to the crested saguaros (in the photos) and in doing so we did 2 creek crossings that were a bit of rock hopping.
Beautiful hike with rolling hills, creek and mountain views and good companionship. I think I will try the entire route in the fall! |
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| Life is what is happening while you are making other plans. |
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