Wind Cave Trail

The trail becomes pretty steep and rocky not far from the outset. Expect the climb to the cave to be much harder than the 1.5-mile distance would suggest. Take your time and take in the beautiful scenery that surrounds -- proud saguaro cacti with desert understory and knobby rock gardens. Blue blazes lead the way. Look for them in the rocky switchbacks where the trail becomes hard to follow.The "cave" at the end of this trail is not so much a dark, cavernous hole full of bats or anything that dramatic. It's more of a rock overhang or a gash carved out of the side of the mountain, about 10 to 12 feet high. It provides welcome shade in the summer, and a place to catch your breath before beginning the descent. The scenery is excellent on clear days, and you can even see the Fountain Hills fountain shooting water into the sky if you're up there at the right time.Take a minute to get a drink and snack, enjoy the view, then make sure your shoes are laced tight before starting back down. Remember the uphill hiker has the right of way.Bonus: Many people turn around at the cave, but the trail continues to reach the top of the peak. It gets a bit more scrambly, so if you thought the climb to the cave was hard, then best to save the peak for another day. If you're up for it, however, go the extra 15 or so minutes to stand on the summit!