Quartz Loop Trail

Cave Creek Regional Park is one of the fine units of the marvelous Maricopa County park system. While not as large as some others like Lake Pleasant or McDowell Mountain, it still offers some great hiking trails that make the metropolis of Phoenix seem very far away. One of the most popular hikes in Cave Creek is the loop featuring the ridge-hugging Quartz Trail and incorporating parts of the Slate and Go John Trails. Start at the Slate Trailhead near the large picnic area and the horse staging area, and follow the Slate Trail for just over a half mile as it threads between the low hills. Take the Quartz Trail to the northeast and start the climb up the ridge. The route winds around several ridges and offers great views to the east and north. The last segment of the hike is along a stretch of the Go John loop, which also offers excellent views down the valley to the west. There are several old mining sites in this park, but they are closed due to their potential danger to the public. Gold mining was a big source of activity in the 1870s and 1880s and contributed to the growth of the town of Cave Creek.