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| Hiking | 8.78 Miles |
847 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.78 Miles | 3 Hrs 31 Mns | | 2.50 mph |
| 847 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I parked at the Upper Parking Lot, by the first heavy locked gate. The $7 parking fee is a tax I don't mind paying, as it goes to something I enjoy. There are signs that announce the Upper Parking Lot opens at 6:00 a.m., the road is closed, but somewhere further on the Bald Eagle Trailhead and Agua Fria Trailhead open at 5:00 a.m. Confusing!
Between the first and second locked gate is what appears to be a vehicle campground, with the host’s RV still onsite. There’s also a sign indicating trails to the left: Ignore it. Stay on Table Mesa Rd. Like I said, confusing.
Just past the second gate, is the Agua Fria River. On the left is a California fan palm, but the jeep trail curves right. Unsure which way to go, and with yet more confusing signs, I went left, hiking down the dry river bed. 
As I hiked down the Agua Fria River, I was looking for the road which I knew crossed over the saddle between Indian Mesa and Dutch Butte. I thought I found it on the dry river bank, but no. After a half mile, I exited the river bed to my right, picking up a jeep trail that curled east, ending up back at the California fan palm. Yes, that was the road I should have been on.
Long story short, at the fan palm, follow the road right, then stay between the poles across the Agua Fria River, to pick up the jeep trail on the other side. As long as you are hiking to Indian Mesa Ruins after mid-June and before mid-December, ignore any “area closed” signs: They are meant for vehicles.
The jeep trail is smooth, and still in shade at 9:15 a.m. Here and there, the jeep trail has iron tube fencing with no parking signs. On a road that does not allow vehicles. At 1¼ miles, the jeep trail expands into a large, grassy, lot that was apparently once a boat ramp. There are two picnic tables and a portapotty that did not stink. And, of course, more signs. 
The grassy lot has two locked gates, left and right. Unsure which way to go, I went right. It should come as no surprise, the correct way is left. The jeep trail crosses dusty Boulder Creek. At the large tree on the far side, turn right to stay on the jeep trail for a pain-free path through the cockleburs. I, of course, went left, once again travelling the still dry bed of the Agua Fria River.
In the course of my wandering a group of older folks had passed me, so I followed them down the Agua Fria River, skirting the cockleburs. (The GPS route attached to this triplog shows the correct route to Indian Mesa, without any misdirection.) Eventually, we found our way back to the jeep trail, where it begins its ascent to the saddle between Indian Mesa and Dutch Butte.
What was once smooth, easy, jeep trail becomes extremely rugged Cow Creek Rd. Due to deep erosion — especially on the initial climb — even a heavy duty 4×4 would be unwise. But on foot, Cow Creek Rd. was no problem. What may have seemed a difficult climb from the trailhead, is no problem, only 300 ft. in ¾ of a mile. 
Just before reaching the high point of Cow Creek Rd., on the left is a cairn. Head up that trail, aiming for the saddle between Indian Mesa and the small hill to its right. Despite climbing 200 ft. in 250 yds., the foot trail is also no problem. At the saddle turn left, for a short traverse along the Indian Mesa cliff band. When you see a short wall, with arrow holes, climb 6 ft. up the crack towards the brown sign.
The Indian Mesa summit is very exposed: the only shade is scrunching into the corner of a ruined wall. The vegetation consists of the usual Sonoran Desert species: ocotillo, several varities of cholla, creosote, prickly pear, small palo verde, a few immature saguaro, strawberry hedgehog, and a noticeably large quantity of Arizona fishhook cactus. 
I tend to regularly wander off trail beause I spend my time looking down, to avoid ankle breakers, but snakes too. Good thing, as I almost stepped on a tiny one, maybe 6" long. I thought at first he was harmless, but then I realized his pattern matched that of a tiger snake. His rattle was so small -- a ¼" at most -- that it was almost invisible, and definitely inaudible.
The older folks left awhile before me, but going downhill and not wandering caught me up to them near the grassy lot. So, we spent the last mile back to the trailhead chatting. Nice folks. 
Hike Video: https://vimeo.com/653398093 |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
The actual date of this trek was 12/13/18.
Maybe they have a pretty bloom...if so, I'll apologize to them personally! They aren't painful, but they just stick to everything (except my hiking pants.) Anyway, after the burrs the climbing portion of the hike begins. Not a lot of AEG and it gets over with pretty quickly and you are on top of the mesa sooner than you think. Just the right amount of workout for a old geezer like me. I want to thank A.Romain, aka tibber, for the excellent YouTube video she posted earlier of this trip that made path finding a breeze for us.
)
. The ruins are so pretty in white and of course the views are awesome toward Lake Pleasant. We spotted what we think was a spring way over and across the river bed to the SE. I zoomed in to see if it was water seeping or shiny rock; still can't tell. And then off to the west are the spectacular looking Hieroglyphic Mountains, I took several photos of them including a pano.
