The summit has been scarred by the Cave Creek Complex fire of 2005. Reaching the summit, you have to backtrack in a southerly direction across the flat grasslands of the summit floor until you reach the true summit. At this point the trail begins its final ascent to the summit, a very steep and sometimes loose climb. The downside of the climb are the ubiqutous rocks, which will leave your feet sore at the end of the day.Īs you near Black Mesa, you think you are almost there, but maddingly, the trail makers take you all along the western edge of the Mesa, until you come to the far (northern end). Terry Smith has placed another directional rock in the ground here.įrom here the trail heads directly toward Black Mesa, climbing pleasantly all the way. It still looks a long way ahead, and it is!Īt 3.4 miles you walk under a fence with Black Mesa straight in front of you. Taking a left here you countour along a ridge with Elephant Mountain to your left and Black Mesa to your right. (This would be another good loop for a short day.) If you go straight you will head toward Sugar Loaf Mountain on a circuitous trail which takes you back to the Tortuga trail. We placed cairns here, and there is a wonderful rock here with directions on it placed in the ground by local horseman, Terry Smith. I have missed this junction twice, so I'm 0 for 2. In 0.25 of a mile you come to another junction. Leaving this trail junction you drop quickly into yet another wash, and then you climb back out. Left will take you to the saddle between the Indian Fortress and Elephant Mountain, a worthy destination if you are short on time. It looks a long way away, and believe me, it is!Īt 2.49 miles you come to a junction with a trail sign with arrows pointing straight and right. Out in the distance you can see Black Mesa. Make a note here because you will dread climbing out of this wash coming back! The trail follows the wash in a westerly direction, eventually climbing gradually upward with the Hohakam Indian Fortress to your left (southwestly) and Elephant Mountain a little higher to your left. The Elephant Mountain trail drops very steeply into a wash. Follow the Elephant Mountain Trail for another 0.17 of a mile and take a left. Here there is a sign that reads Elephant Mountain/Tortuga Trail. Leaving the porta-potties and the Spur Cross Conservation area at the trail-head, the Tortuga trail follows a good road west-ward for 1.55 miles.
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