Cave Creek Regional Park...Clay Mine, Spur Cross Conservation Area and Jewel of the Creek

Cave Creek Regional Park

May 11 and 12, 2023

Cave Creek, AZ

Our last two days at Cave Creek were spent exploring.  Thursday, we didn't have to venture too far as the trailhead for Clay Mine Trail was just down the street from our site.  

This photo was taken on our sunrise walk with the puppies on Wednesday.  We didn't get up and out quite so early on Thursday to do the hike. 

Clay Mine, which gives the trail it's name, is just under a mile from the campground.  The mine is gated and off limits for safety reasons unless you take a ranger led (on foot or horseback) tour which allows entry to the mine along with history and archeology information.   

Originally, the mine was dug in hopes of finding gold...but it only contained clay.  Years later, a woman bought the land (in the 1930s) and decided to bottle the clay and sell it as a "miracle elixir" that would cure all disease.  She was not being truthful, but her elixir did manage to heal one sickness...dysentery from drinking bad water..  She made a fortune...so much so that her descendants still enjoy the profits today.  

After photos, we ventured along the easy/moderate (in difficulty and elevation) gravel trail towards it's juncture with Overton Trail.  It is one of those trails that can be as long or as short as you like.  

  

When we reached the ridge, we could see Cave Creek Parkway and beyond.

Walking the ridge was my favorite part of the trail.  

Looking left, we were above the old, tall saguaros.  I don't ever remember looking down on them before.

At the juncture with Overton Trail we made a left turn.  Somewhere in the cluster of homes and buildings in the far distance is Belle (our MH). 

We continued on for another 1/2 mile before turning around and heading back the way we had come. 

Later in the day, we made a grocery run, but not without stopping to see The Sundial.  The giant working sundial at Carefree Plaza was erected in 1959 and at the time was the second largest working sundial in the Western Hemisphere. 

This ancient time telling instrument measures 90 feet in diameter.  The shadow casting portion of the dial stands 35 feet above the plaza and extends 72 feet.  

This photo of the shadow on the 2 was taken at 2:11 pm.  

Pretty cool !

There is a small garden and walk in the plaza as well.  The Quiver Tree from Southern Africa stood out as most unique to us.

I liked the water feature complete with catching pools and a stone walk over the pools.

I don't know how Dover does it, but she can squeeze herself into the strangest spots.  We found her in-between Joe's shoes and the ottoman when we returned home.  She doesn't hear us now when we pull in to park and shut the doors.  I miss her greeting us at the door when we arrive.

No matter where we are, Jack will always find the time and a spot to take a nap.  But in his defense, he did play ball first.

And Sally needs a haircut !

Friday was our last day and the only day left to find the namesake for Cave Creek.  We knew before we arrived that the cave part of Cave Creek is located on the banks of the creek tucked away on private land.  Desert Foothills Land Trust has preserved this historic site and conduct informative hikes there six times a year.  That was a no go, but we could visit the creek.   So Friday morning...a little later than planned...we headed out for Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area not too far from the park.  

Before the area was ever a ranch, it had lots of history dating back to the Hohokam who lived there from 800 to 1400.   The Spur Cross Trail we traversed on Friday was once an old stagecoach trail the U.S. Calvary used to patrol the area. History tells us the road followed an old Apache trail as the Apache roamed this area from 1400 to the 1860s.  The trails along the creek which we wanted to hike today were made by miners as they carried their equipment to the canyon and later ranchers used the same trail to drive cattle.  Today, these historic trails are used by many folks for biking, hiking and horseback riding.  It is exciting to think back in time and walk in the steps of history and the people who used to live here.  In January of 2001, these 2,154 acres of history and rugged beauty were designated a "limited use public recreation and conservation area" by the state.   

The spur and cross symbol was the brand for the ranch during the end of its working days.  The ranch history begins in the late 1890s. It is one of the oldest cattle and guest ranches in Arizona. The last owner for Spur Ranch purchased the property in 1945.  It's history ended abruptly after the tragic death of the owner in 1953. The ranch was sold to investors who demolished the buildings to save money on property taxes.   

Our trail of choice was Dragonfly Trail which was to follow Cave Creek and loop back to where we began.  That didn't happen...I had taken a photo of the map, but we couldn't find any signage to designate which way to go.  So, we headed towards the row of green in the photo below...giant cottonwoods.  Surely, that is the creek.

Spur Cross Trail

 But the creek was dry...

Spur Cross Conservation Area is at the top of the list if we make another visit to Cave Creek.

We crossed the dry creek and continued on, but didn't get much further before we turned around...the dang gnats were horrible and I even sprayed my clothes.  Disappointed and still wanting to see the creek, we pulled in at Jewel of the Creek (part of the Desert Foothills Land Trust) which is about two tenths of a mile from the ranch heading back towards town. 

I'm guessing the cave is somewhere in this area, but totally not marked. 

There are several trails here and one leads straight to the creek...fingers crossed.

We could see the tops of the cottonwood trees from the beginning...

Going down...

We could hear the water...

Ta-dah...happy dance time !  It was just a trickle, but that didn't matter...

We crossed the bridge...

just in time to capture a photo of a male Western Tanager...a first sighting for us.

There were lots of dragonflies...

 beautiful old and very tall cottonwood trees...

clear water trickling over the rocks...

a cool breeze and birds singing from way up in the trees that we enjoyed looking for, but never saw.   My day was complete...and it was only 10 am. 

Cave Creek Regional Park has been a perfect getaway.  They can certainly add The Taylors to their list of folks who sing their praises.  I'll close with a few photos I have taken at the park.  

The beautiful Nature Center 

 

 

We came to explore the natural beauty and history of the state we call home.  Both exceeded our expectations...life is good !

HAPPY TRAILS !

(The photos loose clarity in the downloading.  You can click on a photo for a clearer image.) 

Cave Creek...Harold's and Frontier Town

Cave Creek Regional Park

May 10, 2023

Cave Creek, AZ 

Sunrise May 10

Wednesday we had planned a lazy morning at home with the pups...what a way to start the day !  Beautiful morning glow, a cool breeze, and the sound of silence sure have a way of putting an extra skip in my step and a big smile on my face.  A leisurely stroll with Joe, Dover, Sally and Jack always fills my heart with joy but first thing in the morning with the sun rising and fresh air just makes those walks even more special.  A new day...one more day...how wonderful life is !

By far, my favorite time of day...

We sat on the patio most of the morning and even had a rare second cup of coffee.  We all enjoyed breakfast outside watching the birds.  

Waiting patiently...

We weren't the only hungry critters outside...

We laughed out loud at a roadrunner and gamble's quail who were having a small altercation in the road.  The gamble really wanted to cross the street, but the roadrunner would not let it.  Every time the gamble got about 3/4s of the way, the roadrunner would chase him back to his (the gambles) side of the street..  After three tries or so, the gamble gave up and  decided foraging for breakfast on his side of the road would be best.   

The saguaro just outside the patio space is quite the perching spot for lots of birds.  I'm not sure what this bird is, but it is so pretty in flight. 

We watched as the curve-bill thrasher kept a close watch on a nest.  It was in a cholla behind some tall grass and bushes. 

With our breakfast bagels fading away, we decided to go to Cave Creek for lunch.  

Harold's came highly recommended.  

The sign says..."Harold's serves up the best durned cooking in these here parts (or any other parts, for that matter). "  The corral was built in 1935. Harold and  his wife purchased the corral in the 1950s.  

Since then, it is said to have spawned a million crazy stories with his flamboyant friends, movie stars, (real) cowboys, and other colorful characters.  I believe that to be true...there is not two inches of unused space on the wall.  I have never seen so many photos !  What a piece of history...

But my favorite...besides the patty melt, fries and cold brewski...are the boots.  A kazillion boots hanging on several rows of fence posts that run from one end to the other of the huge dining room and saloon bar.  I'm guessing thats where the best stories come from !

Next up was Frontier Town.  I know, it sounds cheesy.  

The Wild West town of Cave Creek was settled in the 1870s by miners and ranchers, but was not incorporated until 1986. One of the buildings in this  50 year old tourist attraction was actually built in the 1890s with the others built later in the 1930s and used by workers building Bartlett Dam.  We were pleasantly surprised that the small shops offered unique and locally crafted items.  My favorite was Candles and Gifts. 

Owners, also artists and candlemakers, are a couple with a passion for American made products and are proud that the products they sell are not just Made in America, but crafted locally.  My only purchase for the day was a candle...Sonoran Dust scent...and a beautiful terra cotta ceramic vessel with cliff dwellings to burn the candle in.  The husband of this team is the candlemaker and crafts his candles right there in the shop.

Western things...

A beautiful and shady courtyard...

Other shops at Frontier Town included hot sauce and salsa, women's clothing, a sweet little boutique with blankets, jewelry, soaps, and baby things.  And last, the 

General Store offered...

and...

We also strolled through Rare Earth Gallery.  They offer quite the collection of beautiful and unique items for purchase...a little out of our price range.  The outdoor water features caught my eye...

as did the iguana carvings...

and the colorful lights...not for sale...on the ceiling.

Back at the park, we enjoyed another nice sunset...

the rest of our lunch, some computer time and were off to bed.  Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS !