After living in Arizona for over 34 years, I can finally say I have actually hiked one of our trails in the greater Phoenix area.

My good friend Shelli Bates with LandAmerica Title invited me to hike the trail, knowing I was a total beginner!

The Wind Cave Trail in the Usery Mountain Recreation Area heading out east approximately 30 minutes from downtown Phoenix.

If you are looking for a hike the whole family can enjoy, the Wind Cave Trail just might be the best choice. The lower stretches of the 1.6-mile trail are easy enough for everyone from toddlers to octogenarians. The upper half is steeper and more challenging, but I am sure there are plenty of youngsters that could handle the trek to the cave.

By the way, the “cave” is little more than a wind-carved hollow at the base of a high cliff. It’s only 10 or 12 feet high and extends only a few feet into the cliff. Still, it provides welcome shade (especially in the summer) and makes a terrific spot to lunch while soaking in the expansive views to the north and west.

The Wind Cave Trail begins at the large parking area (which will most likely be full to overflowing on weekends) at the end of Wind Cave Drive West, at the end of Usery Park Road. Almost immediately you cross the Pass Mountain Trail and enter the Tonto National Forest.

Right away you notice the weird, multicolored mountain to the east. Look to the southern end, where it juts out to the west. The shaded overhang at the base of the light-colored cliff is your destination.

The wide, sandy trail zigzags through lush Sonoran desert, steadily gaining elevation. On a clear day you can see downtown Phoenix, about 30 miles away.

Although other trails in the park are open to mountain bikers and horseback riders, the Wind Cave Trail is for hikers only. (Dogs are allowed as long as they’re on a leash. Don’t forget to bring a scooper.)

The trail steepens as you ascend, and leads south along the base of the lichen-stained cliffs.

Prepared with water bottles and good hiking boots we made our way up the well built and maintained trail.

Immediately into our first few steps we were introduced to one of Arizona’s finest desert rattlers, you got it, he was guarding the trail. After a few hikers encouraged him to move off the trail, I agreed to carry on, of course not without a picture.

Shelli patiently talked me through the climb and encouraged me to keep on going.  We made it to the top in a fashionable time, I am sure I didn’t break any record. The average hike is timed to be approximately an hour and a half for the round trip to the cave, another 45 minutes for the round trip to the summit.

We journeyed to the top where we found a handful of hanging plants clinging to the ceiling, where water seeps through the rock. There was a smaller, slightly more secluded cave to the left.
To the right is a much more difficult trail that leads nearly a half-mile to the summit of the hill atop Wind Cave where you gain stunning views: the forbidding Superstition Mountains in the east, Four Peaks dominate the northeast. From the summit itself you have spectacular, 360-degree views.

We didn’t take in the more difficult trail up to the summit, however I would like to attempt it soon.
Our time spent up top enjoying the views of the San Tan Mountains to the East and Phoenix in the West and the fountain of Fountain Hills to the north was pretty amazing. We had a little rain to keep us cool and as we watched the clouds sift away after the rain, we had a great view of the valley below.

You won’t find too many folks on the trail to the summit, but you can expect a fairly steady stream of hikers enjoying the scenic, not-too-strenuous stroll to Wind Cave.

If you go–

Where: From Phoenix, take U.S. 60 east to Exit 191. Take Ellsworth Road north 6.6 miles to the Usery Mountain Recreation Area. Turn east into the park, then follow Usery Park Road a little more than a mile to Wind Cave Drive. Go north to the parking area.

When: The park is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Trails are open sunrise to sunset.

Admission: $6 per vehicle park entry fee.

Difficulty level: Moderate to Wind Cave, strenuous to the summit.

Length: 3.2 miles round trip to Wind Cave; additional 0.8 mile round trip to the summit.

Details: (480) 984-0032.

Candace Robinson REALTOR®

HomeSmart Real Estate
(480) 202-3558 direct
(480) 889-3700 office
(602) 710-2393 fax
1745 S. Alma School Rd. Ste 115
Mesa, Arizona 85210
www.PhoenixArizonaRealEstateHomes.com