Skull Mesa from Spur Cross TH • Hike • Arizona • Crzy4AZ's Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Dec 21 2019

Crzy4AZ

Guides 31
Routes 135
Photos 2,699
Triplogs 615

52 female

Joined Apr 02 2007
Scottsdale, AZ

Skull Mesa Ruins

Phoenix, AZ

Skull Mesa Ruins

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 21 2019
		Crzy4AZ • Triplogs 615

Hiking	14.21 Miles	3,022 AEG

Hiking	14.21 Miles	8 Hrs 21 Mns	1.87 mph
	3,022 ft AEG	44 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

linked

Skull Mesa from Spur Cross TH

Mariposa Hill

Spur Cross Trail

Cottonwood Trail #247

Skull Mesa Trail #248

Partners

partners

LindaAnn

My work and kid life schedule is always overbooked and rarely open - - but Linda is a planner - and we set this Saturday to hike somewhere together way back several months ago. I thought I needed to be back home by mid-afternoon to get ready for a holiday party - so we started early at 7 with good bit of wind and we both had ear coverage and light layers on. Linda is a curator of cool gear/outerwear, and I always leave a hike with a shopping list after a hike with her. Loving her wool (bien sur) arm sleeves that allowed her to wear short sleeve shirt and not have to shed a heavy layer couple hours later. Side note: I would make Linda "Wool-kopelli" if I was in charge of such things.

The time-saver route (barely breaking any rules to go 200 ft past sign into Tonto Forest) avoided some AEG - which was fine by me especially on the way back when my toes and knees were ready to be done. We had cloud cover for first hours - then beautiful blue sky. Temperature mid-day was lovely - although I don't have pants that serve as catclaw/cactus protectors AND are lightweight. Drank more water than I expected from being over-layered and used some of Linda's extra stash in the last mile.

Was quite the surprise to pick up the two stray hikers who did not find the ruins. Of course I have sympathy for the disappointment they were feeling before we invited them to follow us. I tried to find the ruins 11 years ago

triplog. I see why people would camp and then spend a separate day at the ruins - so much to pour over up there - although camping on the edge of Skull Mesa seems like a windy rough spot.

I saw way more petroglyphs in 2008 than I did yesterday (can I add pics to a photoset from 2008?

) but that's probably b/c I was so focused on my own feet and not twisting something or making toes hurt worse. WTH with my toes hurting? Same boots - good socks - same body weight - as usual hiking. Maybe just so much twisty/torque of scrambling or downhill for so long? I wanted a toe-transplant by the last mile. No blisters - and this morning they are fine. Maybe I'm just old and the toes are the canary in the coal mine.

It was a great day outside - super fun as always with Linda - 11 yr closure on ruin finding - and then I ended the day in my jetted tub with AZW beer I picked up (3 yr anniversary cans). Merry Christmas to all! (I swear there was a Christmas tree emjoi smile we used to be able to add???? Reindeer one - what happened to it?)

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Intrepid Back Shot

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cave Creek - SPRCA Skull Mesa

_____________________

Feb 09 2008

Crzy4AZ

Guides 31
Routes 135
Photos 2,699
Triplogs 615

52 female

Joined Apr 02 2007
Scottsdale, AZ

Skull Mesa Ruins

Phoenix, AZ

Skull Mesa Ruins

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 09 2008
		Crzy4AZ • Triplogs 615

Hiking	16.00 Miles	3,600 AEG

Hiking	16.00 Miles	8 Hrs	2.00 mph
	3,600 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Skull Mesa from Spur Cross TH

Partners

partners

GI Jones

I loved the hike up to Skull Mesa, but once on top the slog through mud to the ruins was not so fun. Along the first two miles of the hike, Cave Creek is flowing hard, and the sounds of the water are unexpected and soothing. Then it's a great work out of ups and downs to the top of Skull Mesa and good views all the while. I was surprised to find the mesa top dotted with juniper.

All the rain (and snow - we saw a few melting patches) has turned the top of the mesa into a swampy bog. Every bushwacking step required that little extra muscle contraction to reverse the mud suction, and I got quite a few mud face splats from overzealous rock jumping. We were worn out by the time we saw the saddles to climb over to get to the ruins. After we came down to the first saddle, we calculated remaining daylight hours and turned around to go back. We should have either started earlier or brought head lamps!

Wish we could have made it to the second saddle and into the ruins :doh:

- maybe next time with less mud. Crossing the mesa reminded me of a bad dream where you feel like you are moving in slow motion. But I would do the hike up to the top of Skull Mesa again and again - it was awesome!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Agave Juniper

_____________________

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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