Spur Cross Conservation Area - Part 2 Moonlight Hike on the Tortuga Trail

For the second post in this series on the Spur Cross Conservation Area, I thought I would write about a moonlight hike I once took out there.  This would be my second moonlight hike (the first being on South Mountain) and I couldn’t wait for it.  Hiking in the mountains at night is an amazing experience and the moon provides beautiful (and very reliable!) light.

We all gathered at the Spur Cross Conservation Area before the hike. Just outside of Cave Creek, this is one of my favorite areas in the Valley. I had never been out there as the day is drawing to a close and the area had a different feel to it; quieter somehow. The mountains had a different look to them so I took a couple of pictures before stopping at the Spur Cross Ranch to watch the horses for awhile. The horses, the peace and quiet, and friendly waves from strangers as I passed them on the road all contributed to the small town feel of the area and I felt very far removed from the hustle and bustle of "the big city".

After we had all gathered, the ranger who would lead the hike told us a little bit about the Spur Cross Conservation Area, plans for the area's future, and the trail on which we would hike, which was to be the Tortuga Trail.

I had wanted to hike this trail for quite some time so now I was really excited to get going. Before we headed out, the ranger introduced us to the three volunteers who would be assisting with the hike. He assured us that one of the volunteers would be at the back of the group at all times to ensure that nobody was left behind. He also joked that if anybody was going to be bitten by a snake if would probably be him as he was the first in line.

So then we were on our way. I hiked mainly with some women that I met on a trail a few days before. It was already dark by the time we got started but I had been on the trail that led to the Tortuga Trail before, so I knew my way somewhat. To get to the Tortuga Trail, we had to cross a very narrow portion of Cave Creek by stepping over some rocks. The first portion of the Tortuga Trail (basically an old jeep road) is a gradual climb and was the most difficult portion of the trail.

Once we got to the top of this climb, we stopped to enjoy the view a bit and let the rest of the group catch up. (I must be well on my way to regaining my strength and stamina after being sick. I was never at the back of the group and that's after already hiking North Lookout Mountain - both circumference and summit - that morning!) The ranger told us a little bit about the changes that would be made to the trails in this area and we were on our way again.

I remember a particularly nice view of the moon and mountains at this point. Although I wish I had a nice picture of it, I doubt I'll soon forget it. There are also a large number of large saguaro cactus and some baby cholla cactus along the trail. The saguaros looked majestic silhouetted against the sky, while the baby cholla stood in nature's spotlight.

Because the hike was led by someone who knew what he was doing in addition to ensuring that everyone was accounted for and nobody was left behind, I was able to relax and just enjoy the hike and everything it had to offer. I can't wait until next month's Full Moon Hike!

On the way out to the Spur Cross Conservation Area.

Another view after just rounding the corner above.



A few of the horses that live in the area.

Another shot of the horses.

A nice shot of Elephant Mountain.

So peaceful as the sun is setting.

Some of the group on the trail.



Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area – Part 1 – Metate Trail

The Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area is one of my favorite places to hike, so I thought I’d post a series of places and trails I’ve hiked in the area beginning with the Metate Trail.  Encompassing 2,154 acres, the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area is located north of Phoenix just outside of Cave Creek.  It’s a beautiful place to hike and the trails range from the easy Metate Trail to the more challenging Elephant Mountain.  One can either hike with friends or participate in the many ranger-led hikes that are offered.  See here for a full listing of upcoming ranger-led hikes. 

The Spur Cross Ranch Conservation area is rich in history and, in this series, I’ll be sharing the stories of Edward M. Joyce and Philip K. Lewis, the Beaubien family, and the Hohokams, as well as photos of the numerous archaeological sites, wildlife, and desert vegetation.

 

Metate Trail

This very easy 1.3 mile, ranger-led hike turned out to be very interesting as I learned more about the Spur Cross Ranch as it was in the 1940's and 1950's. After the hike, I did some reading and learned how the Spur Cross Ranch came to be. Very interesting story!

The Metate Trail is named for an old Native American grinding stone that is found along the trail. Also along the trail one can see large saguaro cactus and what remains of the original Spur Cross Ranch. The first of the area's guest ranches, all that is left of the old Spur Cross Ranch is the remains of a swimming pool (barely visible) and a crumbling foundation.

Spur Cross Ranch was established in 1928 under some very unusual circumstances. The owners, Edward M. Joyce and Philip K. Lewis, met while both were in the state penitentiary. Upon their release, they decided to go into the guest ranch business together. Their land adjoined the Tonto National Forest on the north and straddled both the stream of Cave Creek and Spur Cross Road, and included almost all of Elephant Butte, which is the site of ancient Indian ruins. 

A few famous guests stayed at the ranch around this time, including W.H. Kellogg. After his stay in Cave Creek, and upon returning to his ranch in California, Kellogg sent Edward Joyce an Arabian stallion named Jeremiah. One of Joyce's prized possessions was Patches, a trick horse that would entertain guests with his stunts. According to legend, Joyce once rode Patches into the dining room of the upscale Westward Ho Hotel in Phoenix in an effort to publicize Spur Cross Ranch.

Warren Beaubien and his wife, Billie, owned and ran the ranch, a hustling and bustling beehive of activity, from 1945 until Warren's death in 1953 from injuries he sustained when the plane he was flying crashed approximately one mile from the ranch house. Guests would be met at Sky Harbor Airport by Warren and be driven the forty miles to the ranch in Warren's wood-paneled station wagon where they would be greeted by a strawberry-roan burro named Red. Guests (the Spur Cross Ranch could accommodate 24) found the names of the cabins - Mesquite, Palo Verde, Ocotillo, Saguaro - to be quite exotic.

Guests enjoyed hearty breakfasts, horseback rides, home cooking, parties, music by local musicians, dancing, fiddle music, and Christmas parties complete with a Christmas tree in the barn and the arrival of Santa Claus. There were also occasional trips to Nogales. The residents of Cave Creek were always welcome. (The last big party held at the Spur Cross Ranch for the residents of Cave Creek was the Lions Club picnic in 1954. It was a large social gathering where the guests enjoyed a cook out and a scavenger hunt for elaborate prizes.)

An accomplished pilot, Warren Beaubien had cleared a strip of land that was of emergency character at best and very unsafe. While on the trail, we were able to see where the landing strip was located (it had been 1,400 feet long when used by Beaubien). It was lined on either side by a row of mesquite trees, and was subject to flash flooding which would leave it gullied and strewn with boulders. There was also the danger of updrafts and gusts of wind due to the fact that the landing strip was located in a narrow canyon. (Beaubien also owned an airplane - a silver Ercoupe complete with the name of the ranch emblazoned on the fuselage with a minimum flying speed of 60 mph - but it's unclear whether this is the plane he crashed into Cave Creek. One account of the crash claims that the plane in which he was flying when he crashed was borrowed.)

According to Audrey Beaubien Woodward, her father's plane crashed against the embankment in Cave Creek Wash, just north of the ranch, after the engine cut out while he was circling to land on the afternoon of September 9, 1954. He was returning from a trip to Santa Ana, California. Badly burned in the crash, Beaubien managed to crawl to the ranch house and was later found on the front porch by his daughter, Eileen. Prior plans had been made by the two that he would buzz her house in Phoenix upon returning from California and she would go immediately to the ranch to meet him. This is exactly what happened, but she didn't expect to find her father sitting on the porch with severe burns and broken bones. He died in a Phoenix hospital three days later, surrounded by his family.

After Beaubien's death, the ranch was sold and the new owners demolished the buildings. While on the trail, we were able to see the crumbling foundation of the original ranch house. We were also able to see where the swimming pool once was. (I believe it was also around here that we saw some fresh javelina tracks!) The Metate trail is an interesting one, made even more interesting when one knows a bit of the history of the Spur Cross Ranch.

Beginning of the hike

Beautiful Scenery

More Beautiful Scenery

Cave Creek - this is one of my favorite photos of the area

Warren Beaubien landed his plane on this very spot many years ago.

Native American Grinding Stone

The area is known for its large cactus.

And some people think Arizona is nothing but a big sandbox! 

You can view more pictures of this hike here.

  

Glendale Glitters

Glendale Glitters is a display of approximately 1.5 million lights over twelve to sixteen blocks in Historic Downtown Glendale.  It begins Thanksgiving weekend and ends with a block party which took place this year on January 14^th.  The block party is a good night to attend if you like hot air balloons.  They are tethered in the streets and are just beautiful when fired up.  There didn’t seem to be as many this year as in years past, so that was a little bit disappointing, but it’s possible that was due to my leaving too early. 

Here’s a good article about Glendale Glitters.

Glendale Glitters

Here are some pictures I took at this year's block party.

There are a lot of booths with people selling handmade craft items, food items, and other assorted goods.  I had to laugh at this sign on a booth that sold different kinds of chocolates.

The petting zoo was . . . well . . . a zoo!  At one point a little girl was carrying around a chicken.  So cute!

Throughout the downtown area are different bands.  I took this picture right before I got to the main stage. 

I remembered this balloon from past years. 

I took this picture right before I left.  Such a beautiful balloon! 

Here are some pictures I took from the 2009 - 2010 season.

Here's the bumblebee/wasp balloon again!



I love this picture of the street with the balloon in the background.