Fundraising hike highlights open space in Cave Creek
Marc Buckhout ~ Managing Editor ~ 02/24/2010

Viewing artwork of the region’s past will hopefully inspire area residents to reach out to improve Cave Creek’s future.
That’s the idea behind the Town of Cave Creek and the Open Space Citizen Advisory Group’s effort to put together a day of exploring areas that they one day hope will be part of Cave Creek Regional Park and Spur Cross Ranch.
Last year Cave Creek entered into an agreement with the State Land Department and the Governor’s Selection Committee. By annexing more than 6,000 acres of State Trust Land into the Town, Cave Creek negotiated a plan to preserve more than 4,000 acres as a permanent open space at a price of roughly $2 million.
Last year efforts to drum up interest in the project included a horse ride, a day of hiking, and a bike ride which drew more than 300 riders and raised $15,000.
“We’re very pleased with the response we’ve had with our events,” Mike Rigney, the town’s assistant utilities manager said. “Some people already know about the outdoor opportunities here, but we want to make sure people from outside the area come to view Cave Creek as an outdoor recreation destination and not just a good place to bar hop.”
On March 6 the latest event will include four different hikes that highlight the area’s Native American history with the help of the Desert Foothills chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society
“People might not know how much history is available to be experienced in the area, but that’s what these hikes are for,” said Sue Mueller, who will be guiding one of the four hikes. “We’ll be showing the participants metate, which is a grinding stone, usually pretty heavy, but somewhat portable that the Natives in the area used as a bowl to grind mesquite beans into flour and they also used them to grind pigment that they made into paint. The other tool they used was a mano, an oval stone, generally, that they ground with.”
In addition to those artifacts the hikes will also include professional archaeologists who will offer some interpretation of some of the petroglyphs in the area.
Those interested can choose from an easy 1.7 mile, 2 hours hike, a moderately challenging 2 mile, three hour hike, a moderately challenging 3.7 mile hike or a difficult 7 mile hike to Elephant Butte Fortress.
Mueller said many of the areas that will be visited are not normally accessible by the public to avoid the potential for vandalism.
The cost to participate in any of the four hikes is $25, which includes the entrance fee to Spur Cross. The proceeds will go to benefit the purchase of the 4,000 acres of open space.
Mueller said the goal is to have at least 20 participants for each hike, but said that they’d like to limit each group to no more than 30 in order for everybody to be able to hear the presentations during the hike.
“A lot of people want to go up to Elephant Mountain,” Mueller said of the early interest. “You get a great bird’s eye-view up there, but it’s a pretty challenging hike because of the elevation gain.”
Mueller warns that each of the hikes will include crossing the water.
“With the rain we had recently it’s somewhat challenging, because there’s no established crossing,” she said. “It’s not something to be concerned about, but at least something to be aware of that you might have to do a little boulder hoping.”
All hikes require closed-toe shoes and water. Dressing in layers, hat and walking stick are suggested. Bring a snack or a lunch to enjoy a picnic in a scenic spot.
Registration must be done by March 1. Mueller said participants should arrive 30 minutes ahead of time. Hikers will meet inside the gate at Spur Cross near the picnic tables. The Elephant Mountain Fortress hike begins at 8 a.m. while the shorter three hikes all begin at 9 a.m.
To register, download a form at www.dflt.org/calendar.php. For info call the land trust at 480-488-6131 or email hikes@dflt.org.
In the spring the efforts to showcase the area’s open space will include a trail run on April 2 and a birding event on April 17.