Linda, Nancy, Marilyn, Bob, Mike, and I hiked from Spur Cross to the top of Skull Mesa on the Friday after Thanksgiving. (Not all of us went to the summit.) The hike was 12 miles long with over 3200 feet of total elevation gain.
This is a view of Cave Creek (which was dry on the day we hiked) from the Spur Cross Trail.
Skull Mesa, in the distance:
Another view of Skull Mesa from Cottonwood Trail #247:
This petroglyph is on the Skull Mesa Trail, shortly after leaving the Cottonwood Trail – though you have to hike about five miles just to get to that intersection.
A view to the west from the Skull Mesa Trail:
Ruins (of perhaps an ancient dwelling) can be found on the ascent to the top of Skull Mesa:
A view to the east from the Skull Mesa Trail:
Looking west again, further up the trail:
Nancy, Linda, and Bob:
We saw a young tarantula on our way up…
Climbing higher on the Skull Mesa Trail – roughly 1000 feet are gained in the mile to the top:
Looking east from the summit of Skull Mesa:
Looking southwest from the top of Skull Mesa…
Looking west from the western-most edge…
Nancy and Linda descending the Skull Mesa Trail. In some respects, the descent was more treacherous than the ascent.
Looking west on the descent:
Another view to the west:
