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| skull mesa hike May '22, AZ | | -
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| | skull mesa hike May '22, AZ | | | |
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skull mesa hike May '22, AZ
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| Hiking | 12.83 Miles |
2,970 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.83 Miles | 6 Hrs 7 Mns | | 2.27 mph |
| 2,970 ft AEG | 28 Mns Break | 10 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Great solo hike up to Skull Mesa! This was my first time hiking in this area just north of Cave Creek. First thing to know is that in order to access this area from the south, the trailhead begins at the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation. This gives you an additional 2-mile hike along an old jeep trail before reaching the Cottonwood trail or the Cave Creek #4 trailheads. At this entrance, there is a $3 fee (cash only!) paid via envelopes and an honor system but the fee is well worth it as the rangers do an amazing job managing the trails and park area! OK... lets get to the hike: I started hike at about 7:15am on a Saturday... as mentioned the first 2-miles or so is along Spur Cross trail... about half way along, you will leave the conservancy land and enter National Forest. This is an old Jeep trail that quickly becomes a nice, easy and well maintained trail. Once you get to the Cottonwood trail, the fun begins. Over the next 3 miles, total AEG is only about 700', and the trail is easy to follow, though its definitely rocky and undulating. This was, for me, a very enjoyable trail... great hiking with total solitude. At about the 5 mile mark, you get to a fence (see pic) and your opportunity to head north (and UP) along Skull Mesa Trail (#248) to ascend to the top of Skull Mesa. I must admit, I stood there for a few minutes contemplating my options. The mesa is high and intimidating... 1,000' up over a single mile This is where your training and cardio will kick in. During my contemplation, along came the first other hiker I had seen all morning... Mark and I chatted for a few minutes and (maybe out of shame) I made my decision and started up Skull Mesa trail. This trail is not quite as clear but easy enough to follow if you pay attention. Yes, it is a tough assent, but elevation was gained quickly so it was actually not as difficult as it looked. Reaching the top of Skull Mesa is well worth it... amazing views in almost any direction and I even found a little shade to sit and have lunch (pic). After about :30 min of R&R and realizing that it was going to be approaching 100 degrees by the time I got back to my car... I started my descent.
Unfortunately, all the creeks and marked water sources were bone dry except for one area (ironically, unmarked) along cave creek just before Cottowood trailhead where there was still a large shallow accumulation of water in the wash (pic)... unfortunately, I dont expect anything will be left in a week or two.
All in all, this is a hike well worth doing but, at 12 miles, definitely requires a level of physical fitness. Plus, during the entire hike, I only ran into two other hikers. While this gave me the solitude I was looking for, I do not recommend for anything but a seasoned hiker that knows their limitations and (if solo) brings some sort of emergency beacon... just in case.
Andrew |
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