On the last Saturday of 2013 seven of us set out on a ten-mile tour of the Seven Springs Recreation Area in Tonto National Forest. The idea was to get some variety from the usual Valley trails without having to drive too far, and that we accomplished.

Our meeting point was the DC Ranch Crossing shopping center in north Scottsdale, a quarter mile from the northeast corner of the Loop 101 freeway. From there we took Pima Road and Seven Springs Road further northeast to the Cave Creek Trailhead. Parts of Seven Springs Road were gravel but easily passible.

Edith, Linda, Anikó, Jim, Lance, Wayne, and Gary prepare to head out. [photo by Jim]

Stealthily we surmount a surprising fence crossing. Being near to the creek accounts for the leafy vegetation. [photo by Wayne]

You don’t often find shaded trails like this in the valley. Again, thank the creek. [photo by Wayne]

Here’s a shot that includes the creek itself. The creek runs all year but often underground. [photo by Lance]

As the early morning chills dissipate so does a layer of clothing. [photo by Jim]

This was the first of four times we crossed Cave Creek. [photo by Wayne]

Gary helps Anikó keep balance. [photo by Jim]

After the first mile or so the landscape reverts to normal Sonoran Desert. That’s not necessarily bad, though. [photo by Wayne]

This was our second crossing of Cave Creek. [photo by Wayne]

Here the creek widens to a pond. A small waterfall lets the water continue. [photo by Wayne]

Gary, Lance, and Linda survey the terrain. [photo by Jim]

With all the other scenery around, this spectacular crested saguaro is actually easy to miss. [photo by Wayne]

Here’s a close-up of the crest. Some scientists think it’s a genetic mutation, others the result of lightning strikes, and some to other disturbances of the growing tip. [photo by Jim]

Linda captures the landscape. [photo by Jim]

More Sonoran landscape. [photo by Lance]

This canyon was the last portion of the Cave Creek Trail we hiked. [photo by Wayne]

This was our third creek crossing. This one is hard to find because there aren’t any markers on the opposite side. [photo by Wayne]

Oh, now there’s a sign, a few hundred yards from the creek crossing. We’re on the Skunk Mesa Trail now and the next two and a half miles are all uphill. [photo by Wayne]

Here I am about three quarters up the ascent to Skunk Mesa. Cave Creek flows in the crease below. [photo by Jim]

Gary finds himself ahead and pauses to check our position. [photo by Jim]

Lunch anyone? The scenery here at the top was fantastic but the seating was a bit hard and sparse. [photo by Jim]

These are the remnants of a bee hive. I suppose a bear reached in and cleaned it out. [photo by Jim]

To finish the hike we use the Cave Creek Trail back to the trailhead, and once again enjoyed the leafy vegetation and flowing waters. [photo by Lance]