2011 12-11 Skull Mesa

Length: 11 miles

Duration: 7 Hours 19 minutes

Vertical Up: 3684 feet
My track log at EveryTrail

About two years ago I went on a hike to Skull Mesa.  The hike was described with the following disclaimer “The terrain can and will be difficult at times so be prepared. The hike might take anywhere from 6 - 8 hours depending on how fast (or slow) we hike.”  I never made it to the top of Skull Mesa and the group ended up finishing the hike 10 hours later in the dark.

This failure has weighed on my mind for a while.  I’ve wanted to try this hike again now that I am in a little better physical shape.  With the help of a hiking club I am a member of, I arranged a geocache event to Return to Skull Mesa.

The Skull Mesa hike can be broken up into three legs: Hiking the river, hiking across to the base and the final assent to the summit.  A better description of the route can be found at the Hike Arizona site. 

View of Skull Mesa from the Parking Area

Hiking the River

Looking back at Cottonwood Creek

The group met at 8 AM at the parking area of the Spur CrossRanch Conservation Area on a particularly cold morning in December.  In all, seven people and two dogs were brave enough to start hiking with temperatures in the 40s.  At the start of our hike, the sun had not peaked over the surrounding hills and the wind was whipping around.  It was cold.

We all paid our $3.00 and began the first leg of the hike. This leg follows Spur Cross Road as it crosses Cottonwood Creek.  It is a well maintained trail and is part of the Maricopa Trail System.  Two miles and a few creek crossings later we arrived at the trailhead of the next leg of our hike.

Hiking Across to the Base

Skull Mesa is getting Closer

After finding a geocache, we started our hike on the Cave Creek Trail System.  We briefly followed Cave Creek trail #4 (for about 500 feet), then took a right onto trail Cottonwood Trail #247.  Cottonwood trail took us east cross country for approximately 4 miles.  This portion of the hike followed the terrain of the hills with several assents and descents mixed in.

Hikers finding a cache

The last mile or so of this portion is a pretty steady climb to the base of Skull Mesa Summit trail.  As it turns out, this four mile stretch takes a whole lot out of you.  The switchbacks and constant climbing and descending never quite allow you to catch your breath. 

It took us about two hours to hike the four miles to the base of Skull Mesa.  When you reach the trail, there is a gate with a pretty cool self-closing weight.  At this point we rested for 15 minutes before beginning the climb to Skull Mesa

The Final Assent

Skull Mesa Trail (#248) is 1.2 miles of pure hell.  The trial begins nice enough with a steady climb passing some ancient petroglyphs.  About a quarter mile in, the climb starts – and boy does it climb.  I’m no expert in rating a climb, but, I got to say that an 1100 foot assent in one mile is tough – really tough.  Two years ago, I quit this hike about ½ mile into the climb.  Today I was a better man and slowy made my way to the top.

The Summit

For those crazy enough to make it to the top, you are reward with SPECTCULAR views of the north valley.   Today was a hazy day but the views were still awesome.  We spent about ½ hour on top eating lunch and resting up.  This was a proud moment for me as I was able to conquer something that I could not do just one year ago. 

The Skull Mesa Cache is a very cool cache with a few resident travel bugs and it even hides a real skull.

After resting up, we decided to pass on exploring the mesa and beginning the descent down.   Although the descent is not tough on the lungs, it sure is tough on the legs.  Basically you are in a control fall for most of the way back to Cottonwood Creek.  I welcomed the few uphill portions on the way back.  It probably is hard for non-hikers to understand but I really prefer climbing over descending.  Sure it’s tougher on the muscles, but, it is easier on the knees.

If you like hiking I would recommend this hike.  It’s not for everyone and should be considered strenuous.   I can’t wait to go back (when I am a bit stronger) and explore the backside (north) of the Mesa.  I understand there are some Indian Ruins back there.