Limestone Trail #252

Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area

Gate on the saddle between Limestone Spring and Page Spring.
Gate on the saddle between Limestone Spring and Page Spring.

I had thought about doing something else this week, but then Gary, aka LosDosSloFolks, from HikeArizona.com contacted me about doing the Limestone Trail #252 loop.

I said sure, because it would save me feeling obligated to do a hiking video this week, since I just did Limestone Trail #252 last year. The time saved on doing a weekly hiking video would allow me the time to work on my Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway wrap up. ⏳

Prolific saguaro on Elephant Mountain Trail.
Prolific saguaro on Elephant Mountain Trail.

The only variation from last year was that after Page Spring, rather than head straight back to the trailhead, we instead continued west for a mile or so to Ringneck Spring. While weather had started cool, it had gotten sunny and warm, so we took a break in Ringneck’s shade. After that, it was down Elephant Mountain Trail, up the “Boy Scout Steps”, then the usual route back along Spur Cross Trail to the trailhead.

No sense repeating last year’s hike description. If you want the finer details of that hike, click the link above, or watch last year’s video below. 👇

Directions: From Loop 101 / Pima Freeway, head north on Cave Creek Rd. for 12.2 miles. Just as the road curves east into ‘downtown’ Cave Creek, turn left onto Spur Cross Rd. Take the next right, then a quick left. The trailhead is four miles ahead. The final mile is semi-paved but car drivable. There is no fee to park, but there is a $3 envelope fee to hike / bike / horse ride into the conservation area.

Park Map: Spur Cross Trail Map

GPS File: Limestone_Trail_252_Loop

Distance: 7.87 mi.

AEG: 1,434 ft.

Time: 4h 02m


Hiking Video

Hiking Limestone Trail #252, Spur Cross from Preston McMurry on Vimeo.