(1) Always remember that your safety on the trail is your responsibility. Just take your time and you will be fine. You’ll also want to bring plenty of snacks! Contact Us ~ Terms Of Use ~ Site Map. Eventually, the trail will take you right down to the stream, where you will have to cross over the water to continue on. Stay on the main road as it becomes a dirt road and follow the signs for Seven Springs. While short, this part of the journey gives you a little taste of the alpine, with some evergreen trees and higher elevation scrub trees. Choose a Highlands Pass and ski and snowboard all season long at Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain Resorts, or choose a Seven Springs only pass. Length 84.5 miElevation gain 9629 ftRoute type Loop 4,066' (#246 / #250 junction), to 2,985' (Cave Creek). View the Seven Springs trail map for a preview of the trails and lifts at the ski resort. It’s also fairly easy to navigate (but for a few parts which I will explain below). SoCalMtB.com - Your Internet Resource for Mountain Biking in Arizona. TRAIL DESCRIPTION Seven Falls is one of the most popular hikes in Tucson. The Seven Springs Recreation area is located just north of the town of Cave Creek. (5) Clothing layers for a cool morning and hotter afternoons. And there are some beautiful oases among the mountains where the spring runs. During wet weather, a high clearance vehicle is recommended. When you reach a saddle in the rolling mountains, you will pass the little grassy area that gives this section of the trail it’s name. Seven Springs Campground was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which was a depression-era public works program. Spent the night by the creek, I almost got set on fire, had a good cigar, and got to lay by a fire and stare up at the stars and ponder what it all meant. You… Seven Springs is close to Mashakattee Canyon. Note: Mileages are approximate. This allows you to amble along the stream and really enjoy this part of the trail before hiking up into the mountains. So, no matter what you are driving, obey signs warning of dangerous conditions, and avoid crossing the water if it is too high. Eventually, you should get back to the road, which you will cross again and then hit the first section of the trail back towards your car. When you are close to the spring, you will also be delighted by the splash of green trees that have grown up surrounding the water source. Overview: Nestled at higher elevations close to 3500' in one of the northern ranges of Maricopa County, is the Seven Springs Recreation Area.The area is another part of the Tonto National Forest and is great for birding and a very under birded place. Either is fine, but I personally like the counterclockwise direction the most. Bartlett to Horseshoe to Seven Springs Drive OHV Trail is a 84.5 mile loop trail located near Carefree, Arizona that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Look for some open tailgates between AJ's Fine Foods and. If you are in a vehicle with higher clearance, this will be no problem. Seven Springs is used as part of the Fremont Older Open Space Loop. Seven Springs OHV Road: Cave Creek to Sheep Bridge is a 42.1 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Scottsdale, Arizona that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. This loop hike in the Seven Springs Recreation Area begins at the Cave Creek Trailhead. However, you will need to be well aware of your hiking ability on this route, as it might be easy to feel like you can keep going while the trail is relatively flat and then get tired on the second half. This loop feels very long, so it isn’t necessarily an easy hike. The Seven Sacred Pools are off Soldier's Pass Trail. The Seven Springs Recreation area is located just north of the town of Cave Creek. The hike itself leads through Bear Canyon inside of Coronado National Forest, and crosses a stream seven times before making it to the actual falls. The 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, which skirts the resort, winds through some rugged terrain with an average elevation of 2,700 feet and provides tremendous views. A peaceful place to picnic and explore a spring in the desert. Seven Springs and Cave Creek Recreation Area was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930’s. See more information here. From DC Ranch Crossing. Cave Creek Road will eventually turn into Seven Springs Rd, and the pavement will run out. Seven Springs Picnick Site was constructed by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in 1934. The odds are slim that you will see them, but it’s something to be aware of. But it does bring together many of the best views of the area, and lets you both explore the spring and head up into the grassy hills and mountains. The Trail begins at an intersection with the Cave Creek Trail #4, about 0.8 miles from the Cave Creek Trailhead on Seven Springs Road. 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Rd. Provides access to the Cave Creek trail system. Walking short sections of Trail 4 would be relatively easy, however, for anyone looking for an alternative option. For a more leisurely hike, visit Powdermill Nature Reserve. Hiking from Seven Springs, in Arizona's Tonto National Forest, through the Cave Creek Complex Fire burn area, along Cave Creek Trail #4, Skunk Tank Trail #246 and Quien Sabe Trail #250 to … Seven Bridges Trail Run Colorado Springs OneMileNoSweat. This area is … You will then keep to the right and follow the trail through the forest of riparian trees that grow along the watered soils of the creek. At.62 miles, the trail crosses Forest Road 24B and continues. SoCalMtB.com - your local mountain bike site since 1996. (2) Always let someone know where you will be hiking and when you expect to get back. Seven Springs offers a variety of ways to get you onto the snow! Unit Operations Center Morristown, AZ 85342 Phone: 602-506-2930 maricopacountyparks@maricopa.gov Headquarters Admin Hours Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - … Seven Springs Gravel Loop mountain bike route in Cave Creek, Arizona. Seven Springs is a spring in Arizona and has an elevation of 3471 feet. For camping it will be $75 dollars, and you will need to either call 1-877-444-6777 or go to recreation.gov to get a permit. There’s a bit of a trek from the parking lot to the rest of the trail system in the area, but it quite a lovely stretch. Length: ~10 miles; our GPS’ could not agree on the exact length but it felt like 11-12 miles. which will be on the left about half a mile past mile marker 12. Another time, I did an overnight shuttle with a couple of guys and we started out at Seven Springs and went to Spur Cross down Trail 4. It’s slightly cooler than the city due to its higher elevation (and distance from the city “heat island effect”). The trail does get a little lost and hard to navigate once you need to cross the creek bed, so keep your eyes peeled for cairns and the familiar sights of Trail 4. Besides being the #1 rated trail in Tucson by All Trails, it boasts seven waterfalls, incredible views, and a moderately easy hike. Even though it is slightly cooler up here, you will still want to keep hydrated. Shady places with flowing water are rare in central Arizona, and its always worth enjoying them when you have the opportunity to see one. Whether you are just visiting Phoenix for a few days, or exploring Arizona more thoroughly, this area will give you the chance to see the impact of water on the desert, shaping the mountains and growing vibrant, green forests so striking you won’t believe your eyes. This is a beautiful place to stop for a picnic. The following dirt road feels fairly long for people driving cars, but it is do-able. While this is the most strenuous section of the trail, you will be afforded with exceptional views of the surrounding landscape, and if you look carefully into the stoney nooks to your right, you might catch water a glimpse of water flowing down the mountain side. While less shaded than the forest, this is another good place to stop for a snack and rest before continuing on through the desert. Plan out your day before heading to Seven Springs or navigate the mountain while you're at the resort with the latest Seven Springs trail maps. Seven Springs is a recreation area north of Carefree in the Tonto National Forest. From here, you will follow the trail as it climbs its up and up… and up. The loop includes segments of three trails: Cave Creek #4, Skunk Tank #246, and Cottonwood #247. Good memories. If you go clockwise, you will do the hard part first, but when you get back to the stream, you will be pretty tired and you really won’t appreciate the slight uphill climb back to your car. The trail is primarily used for nature trips and ohv/off road driving. Directions: From Carefree, take Cave Creek Road/Forest Road (FR) 24 for 18 miles north to Seven Springs. Download the free, full-sheet USGS 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) Seven Springs topo map as an Adobe PDF. To reach the trailhead drive north on Cave Creek Rd. The Seven Springs trails are a great place to spend the day, or a weekend for both Phoenix locals and visitors to Arizona. There are several roads that will take you up in the right direction, depending on where you are coming from. Gorgeous throughout. And there are some beautiful oases among the mountains where the spring runs. Be prepared and be cautious. Then you will walk up a steep stretch of the trail where you will catch some great views of campground and forest. There are over 30 miles of official trails in this area, some connecting to the Several decent loop hikes can be made from the Cave Creek Trailhead. Being as it is a loop, you can take it clockwise or counterclockwise. take Pima Road north 11 miles to Cave Creek Road. (4) Maps of the area (you can find a basic one from Hike Arizona, here. Bring food, water, sturdy shoes, and first aid equipment. Select resorts also feature an additional trail map from partner, FatMap that provides a 3D view of the ski resort, including slope steepness and aspect, along with information on what it's like to ski each of the trails at Seven Springs. Luckily, particularly for your way back, it’s pretty flat for here as well but for the initial elevation gain and the walk back down to the road at the end. (2) Food and water. It's a great hike and a fun swimming hole, and listed often as one of the best or most popular activities of the region. As you follow the dirt road back into the Cave Creek mountains, you will find yourself heading deeper and deeper into a more grassy and green dryland than can be found anywhere else in the Phoenix-area. The hike ends at Spur Cross TH in Cave Creek. Seven Bridges Trail, Colorado Springs: Address, Seven Bridges Trail Reviews: 4.5/5 For travelers visiting Arizona, the Seven Springs trails represent some very unique vistas and great hiking experiences. The trail will widen at this stage, turning into something of a narrow dirt road, and this will take you back down towards the creek. The area is now a recreational area and most of the CCC’s stonework has survived. The entrance road and portions of the picnick site wash out regularly so there is no vehicle access to the site. 12.5 miles in length. The forest will fall behind you and you will find yourself heading back down into the Sonoran Desert landscape. While it isn’t a particularly cool place in the summer, during the spring and fall it is a great escape from the heat for hikers, campers, and picnickers alike. This loop is long and has sections with considerable elevation gain. It heads south, crosses Cave Creek, and then heads uphill to a junction with the beginning of Skunk Tank Trail 246, in about 0.3 miles. It’s slightly cooler than the city due to its higher elevation (and distance from the city “heat island effect”). You will need to develop your packing list based on what you plan to do while you are on the Seven Spring Trails. That being said, there is flooding sometimes on the road, and the creek passes directly over it at a few points. Then you will head north until you hit Cave Creek Road or until Cave Creek turns east. Before you leave, make sure to snap a picture of the map at the trailhead for further reference. Then you will just keep following Cave Creek as it winds back north, past the road leading to Lake Bartlett. past the town of Cave Creek, past Carefree and beyond the golf courses. Short drive from the city for a beautiful escape; you won’t even remember that Phoenix is right around the corner! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Most likely, you will need to take the 101 north and then get off on Pima, Scottsdale, or Cave Creek. Cost: Free (as long as you park at the Cave Creek trailhead parking area); elsewhere you will need a Tonto Pass, which is $8 and can be purchased in town (see locations to buy these here). Turn east (right) on Cave Creek Road and continue 28 miles to the trailhead, Length: 39.9 miles one way Directions: From Carefree, go north on Cave Creek Road, which becomes Seven Springs Road (Forest Road 24), for 27.9 miles to Forest Road 269.Turn right onto FR 269 and continue 12 miles until the road ends at the Verde River Sheep Bridge. The trail is primarily used for off road driving and is accessible year-round. In 2005, heavy floods ripped through this popular campground and made most of the area inaccessible. Seven Springs is displayed on the Humboldt Mountain USGS quad topo map. (4) There are some large carnivores that live in this area, so be aware. However, its proximity to the city doesn’t mean that it isn’t a refreshing break from the urban landscape. While there are many options among the Seven Springs trails, my favorite loop is a mix of Trail 4 and Trail 246. Views of a unique desert landscape that lives between the drier Valley of the Sun and the higher forests and scrublands of northern AZ. Large sycamore trees next to a small creek provide shade. You can find the trail to Seven Falls (Bear Canyon Trail) in Sabino The parking lot by the trail head is only 14 spots, and it is rare to find a parking spot. Features large sycamore shade trees next to a small creek. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Seven Falls is a waterfall located in the Sabino Canyon near Tucson, Arizona. Here, the stones of the mountain catch water and provide the plants and animals with water in an otherwise dry section of the mountains. (3) Exercise caution as crossing the stream bed, the round rocks, particularly in the water, can be unstable and hard to walk across. Murray Canyon Falls (or Seven Falls) consists of 20ft or less waterfalls on a 4-mile trail in a desert oasis flanked by California Fan Palms near Palm Springs. Camping and hiking make this a … Road 24B continues West to … While there are plenty of options among the Seven Springs trails, I will be covering the 4/426 Skunk and Cave Creek loop here. Seven Springs wash flows through the campground, which is shaded by large sycamore trees. The latitude and longitude coordinates of Seven Springs are 33.9622497, -111.8487641 and the approximate elevation is 3,471 feet (1,058 meters) above sea level. at the southeast corner of Pima road and Legacy Blvd. Silver Springs Recreation Area in Tonto National Forest, northeast of Carefree, AZ. This hike will traverse a 10.2 mile loop near the Silver Springs Recreation Area in Tonto National Forest, northeast of Carefree, AZ. Saguaros are perched on the trailside, and while the water maintains a vibrant plant array, the trees will become more scarce. Difficulty: Difficult. It opens at 8am and there is a line of cars waiting for gates to open. (3) Good, broken-in hiking boots, and if you plan on walking through the spring, hiking sandals. Just when you are wondering just how far it must be to the junction for 426, you will find a wooden sign pointing you up into the grass-covered mountains to your left. Plenty of trail options for people wanting to hike short and long, and all kinds of different vistas along the way. Be aware that this is a fee area ($4 per carload per day). From there, you will continue upwards for a time, crossing back into the land of puffy, short trees. And it’s easy to see why. The loop includes segments of three trails: Cave Creek #4, Skunk Tank … The first part of this trail descends a constant downward grade that will incite speedy leg revolutions that, if left untempered, can cause hikers to experience difficulty tracking their stride and result in exciting disorientation. Though the water of the creek is only ankle deep, it offers a cool respite from Arizona’ssummer heat. If you are looking for a day hike, this is definitely a great option, and if you’d like a shorter hike, I would suggest starting on Trail 4 and just turning around when you start to get tired. Don’t … Camping is availalbe approximately 300 yards north at the CCC Campground. Anyone who is interested in visiting Seven Springs can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. As you get to the bottom of the hill, follow the trail as it turned to the right, and cross over the cattle fence into the forest. The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) constructed this recreation site in 1934. This recreation site is situated on the former site of the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp used in the construction of Seven Springs and Cave Creek recreation sites. Yes; check Forest Service website for information on the bathroom’s status. Take Loop 101 to exit #36, Pima/Princess Rd. 117.0 km ride. Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén, An Arizonan’s Guide to the Pinnacle Peak Hike, Struggling with Rejection and Facing Imposter Syndrome. You may wish to carry bear spray if you are worried, but also researching what to do if you run into any large predators can also be helpful. At 15.7 miles you pass the Seven Springs Campground and the Cave Creek Trailhead is on your left at 16 miles. The Seven Springs trails are a great place to spend the day, or a weekend for both Phoenix locals and visitors to Arizona. In order to get to the Seven Springs Recreation Area, you will need to drive to north Phoenix, and up through or past Carefree. Travel north about a quarter mile to the DC Ranch Crossing shopping center Cave Creek Trail #4 climbs a short distance from the trailhead and passes by the Seven Springs Campground. Seven Springs, Arizona topographic map and nearby trails. Once you hike down from the higher parts of the trail, you will cross the road and then follow Trail 4 as it follows the creek. If camping, plan your meals. Skunk Tank. Seven Springs Campground in Tonto National Forest, is a free campground located about 20 miles north of Cave Creek/Carefree. Camp grounds on-hand and nearby to lots of good restaurants in the Cave Creek area so you can make a day of it. No street parking is allowed. Toilets at the trailhead? This episode is one of the more popular trails named "Seven Bridges Trail." As the trail continues on, the relatively flat bottom of the stream bed will narrow, and you will find yourself following the track along rocky cliff sides overlooking the creek. (1) Safety gear and first aid kit appropriate for the amount of time you will spend in the wild and the number of people in your group. This is an essential safety and hiking equipment for hiking in the desert (or anywhere). But here is my list of essentials. 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