Cave Creek Regional Park
Cave Creek, AZ
May 9, 2023
Sometime at the end of April, Sheila posted pictures of Cave Creek Regional Park. In years past we have read blogs from other friends who also visited this wonderful Maricopa County park. We had no appointments this week so Monday morning we headed northeast on I-10 with Cave Creek being our destination.
Monday night's sunset from our site...
Tuesday morning coffee on the patio
was spent enjoying the noisy antics of a pair of Cactus Wrens.
We also had a project. We didn't have carpet on the outside MH steps. When we visited Willcox last March, Dover and Sally were both having trouble going up and down the steps. We were hoping carpet would help with traction and are pleased to say our plan (so far) is working. Their footing is much better.
Our outing for the day was a hike to Sears-Kay Ruin about 18 miles from the park in the Tonto National Forest. A pass is required for day use in the national forest...its $8 and can be purchased at most service stations in Cave Creek and Carefree.
The ruin site got its name because at the time of discovery, the property was owned by ranchers with the names Sears and Kay.
We had quite the history lesson before venturing up the steep trail maneuvering large boulder steps.
The hike was described as short and easy. Short we agree with, but easy not so much or maybe it's just that we are 76 and 72 years old with diminishing eyesight that makes depth perception a wee bit harder...we are slow and careful. In addition to the info at the big kiosk, the trail is well marked with signage all along the way.
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| The Sears-Kay ruin site has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. |
If you squint, you can see the road we took...its just above the rock wall on the left.
In addition to the buildings, the massive retaining wall along the ridge was also built by the villagers.
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| Heading down... |
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| and stopping for photos. |
On the way home we made two stops. First to see what is billed as the world's tallest kachina doll. It is located in the residential community of Tonto Hills in Cave Creek or maybe Carefree (I'm not really sure which). The Corn Maiden Dancer Kachina stands 39 feet tall and weighs a whopping 145.5 tons.
The Kachina is owned and maintained by the Tonto Hills Volunteer Fire Department.
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| Constructed in 1970 Designer/Sculptor - Phillip Sanderson/Carl Ludlow |
The weather is wonderful...life is good!
Until next time,
We have frequent used Maricopa's Usery County Park as a home base when in the area. Have driven past Cave Creek (signs) but have never stopped. Thanks for the tour and photos of the hike and ruins.
ReplyDeleteI could use carpet on our steps! Those dang creaky knees, like a soft landing :)
Hi Jeff…Usery Mountain Regional Park is on our list too as well as Lost Dutchman State Park. The ruin site was way cool and I’m glad we made the effort to get to the top of the ridge. We are happy Dover and Sally will use the steps now…and I like the carpet too!
DeleteWe loved all the Maricopa County Parks. Each one has something different to offer. Cave Creek was always one of the ones we spent time at during our winters in the west. Usery was another, but we can't forget White Tank, McDowell Mtn., etc.!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Sue…we are just beginning to explore these Arizona treasures. Looking forward to visiting as many as we can.
DeleteWe never used Cave Creek but loved McDowell Mountain and Usery. And Catalina. Like you said, Maricopa county has lots of great parks. Glad you found a fix for the pooches. In our new to us toyhauler, the steps are too steep for Ms. Emmi so we carry her. The desert looks so lush and coffee hour spent watching the birds is the best!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Janna…yes, the desert is lush and green and we have stuffy noses! I read it’s the Palo Verde blooms that are making us sneeze. Not complaining…it is beautiful now! And the weather has been wonderful the past few weeks! I’m not sure how long the carpet will help as Dover is very weak in her back legs…she seems to be handling it all well. She is our one puppy that really, really loves “to go” anywhere, anytime.
DeleteAll those Maricopa Regional Parks are so lovely! White Tanks is our favorite, but I want to stay at all of them :-) The Cave Creek area is pretty and I never knew the ruins were there. Those rocks on the trail look precarious. The ruins are very different looking for any I've seen, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Jodee...it is fun discovering these Arizona treasures. We do live in a beautiful state don't we? I guess we were always ready to head north after winter stays in Tucson and never took the time to stop. I'm glad now as we have destinations close to home. The ruins were interesting. We do enjoy the history and thinking about the people who lived there.
DeleteNice to see you out on the road. Cave Creek is a very nice park. It's nice that you could get a site and it looks like a level one. Perfect! We haven't visited these ruins. Thanks for sharing. I really enjoy the wild ruins so much more than the pristine preserved ones. Great Kachina doll!!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Pam...a big YES as we enjoy these road trips and adventures. Site 12 is a good site if you don't mind the mid afternoon sun...sunsets were nice and the heat of the day wasn't coming in the big windows on the other side. Love how these sites are all spaced with lots of privacy. I agree about the wild ruins. There are pictures that supposedly show how the looked in their day and its fun picturing them busy. It's funny the things I add to the "lets go there" list...we thought the Kachina Doll was pretty cool.
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