Cave Creek

Took this as an alternate coming back from Sheep’s Bridge. Looks like they ran the grater on some of the northern end. Some nice scenery going through the upper canyon.

Directions to trail in err twice. Took Bloody Basin west to I-17 from end of tail. Enjoyed the 52 miles. Trail becomes more challenging on the north half.

The trail was in good shape as far as Waypoint 12.

Fairly striaight foward trail. Has some great side areas to explore. Drove this on a Saturday during the monsoon. Made a few creek crossings as we headed towards Sheeps Bridge. Kept getting flash flood warnings so chickened out, but happy we did as an ominous storm hit as we headed back.

This is an easy trail as noted with a lot of big scenery near the top and throughout. Rode this to Bloody Basin to Sheeps Bridge on an ATV. Note the road to Sheeps Bridge is very rocky and should be driven slowly. Took me about 6 hours total with lunch at Sheeps Bridge thrown in. Rode this on a Friday and experienced virtually no traffic. This will be a regular because there are a few other adventure options along the route and near the top off Bloody Basin. Really enjoyed this one.

This was one of my favorite trails I have done. the scenery was awesome. the ranch that you see coming down the trail from the mountain was huge, lots of cows. the campsite we stayed at was incredible. couldn't ask for a better place to explore and camp.

The trail guide was given a major update. New waypoints added, new photos, new track that removed the several miles of pavement, removed the overlap with Bloody Basin, and corrected the trail rating. Overall, once past Seven Springs Recreation area this trail got to be rather nice. It packs big views at the top of the mesas and when you descend down to the north side, you find some wooded areas, rock formations and all the other things that add up to a great trail. On a Saturday, almost all to myself from sunrise until about 11am, then it got busy.

Tonto National Forest officials will close the state’s largest national forest due to ongoing extreme fire danger beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 25. The forest is implementing this forest closure as a precaution to protect the health and safety of the public, employees and firefighters by reducing the risk of human-caused fires. No one is allowed in the closure area, including Forest Service personnel, unless they are responding to a wildfire or other emergency or patrolling to ensure enforcement of the closure. The order shall remain in effect until July 31, 2021 or until rescinded, whichever occurs first. Residents or businesses using roads in the restricted area to the extent necessary to access their private property are exempt.

Fun and easy trail with minimal requirements to complete. Have seen several high clearance 2wd pickups/SUV's make easy work of the trail. "Hard" section is roughly the last 6 or so miles which has more small rocks and a few hills to descend into the valley below, you will NOT need low range or lockers for this trail. Its all open as of writing this and a large amount of the county maintained dirt road along the trail has been recently grated. The bridge always looks great in the morning sun and you are able to walk across it for some nice photos. The water was crystal clear (and super cold) but about 4 feet deep in some spots so I didn't attempt to cross it and try the loop back over Horseshoe Damn. Overall a very scenic trail with lots of spots to camp just reserve enough time as the trip will take several hours each way.

The fire restriction has been rescinded and terminated. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd835565.pdf Please be responsible and a reminder that fire restrictions are still in place. No fires, fireworks, or anything else that will cause a spark. The Tonto National Forest together with federal, state and local partners will extend Stage 1 Fire Restrictions due insufficient rain and continued dry fuel conditions on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, at 12 a.m. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions were previously set to expire on Oct. 31, 2020, unless rescinded or extended. The purpose of these restrictions is to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and elevated fire weather conditions. This order shall remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2020, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

A portion of this road is in the closed area due to the Sears fire. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd813381.pdf

Tonto National Forest has been temporarily closed because of extreme fire conditions. This is a link to the official closure notice https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD759503

Sears Kay ruins are closed but that's a basic turn off from trail. Above instructions I found to be a bit confusing such that I was looking for the trail head in the "dirt lot used for airing up and down tires" . I kept looking for this "FS 24" as a jump off point from that lot: it should have said continue north up cave creek road and THAT IS THE TRAIL. It eventually turns into an unpaved road and goes to Sheep bridge from there. Don't know why everything here has to be so confusing. That being said, it was quite muddy and the creeks were indeed flowing but easily passable. I had planned on staying the night but once we got into the Sheep bridge area a torrential storm came and concerned me that we would get stuck on the sheep side of the trail and rising waters from Tangle creek would be a concern. Nonetheless we left and were fine. Its a nice spot once you find the trail head. I have a 3.5:" lifted XJ with 31" tires. I would not do this with a subaru as some have said. I saw many unequipt rides getting bogged down in the mud. no issues with clearance nor movement for me.

This is a long trail with many beautiful desert views. Trail starts out paved followed by fairly smooth gravel road that eventually turns to a rough gravel road. The last 11 miles being the roughest. Could probably be done in a vehicle like a Subaru except for the last 6 miles. Any stock SUV should be able to complete this travel but some of the trail will be very slow going. It took us 3.5 hours one way in a lifted 05 Jeep TJ. All water crossing were dry but if water is flowing there are a couple that would be impassable unless you were in a high clearance vehicle. The reward at the end is a cool walking bridge across the river with many great swimming holes. There is a rope swing and rocks to jump off of but we passed on both. The hot tub is a little hard to locate tucked behind the reeds up against the rocks to the north of the bridge.

Trail was a lot of fun. Attempted in a 2012 tacoma sport long bed with no problems. Took about 4 and a half hours each way. Be very careful of flash flooding. Creeks were dry when we drove down and totally flooded coming back up. Rain seemed extremely light that day but the water level went up to the headlights of the tacoma.

We took this trail from the bridge south into cave creek and it was very enjoyable. Done in early spring there was not much water and no obstacles took very much technique. Some larger rocks required slow going-- but nothing too difficult. Done in a slightly modified tacoma 4x4 offroad and a bone stock 4Runner offroad with no issues. Would recommend! Check out my instagram @tvincent92 for more pictures or to ask any questions!

Love this trail all the flowers was blooming, water was flowing great ride. There was spots along the river that was tough for me to pass in my 2010 tundra but was able to make it down to the water with the trail just left of the bridge. Good size rocks but go slow and you will be good. Easy directions to get there hard to get lost. The ride out to the I17 is a nice ride too just know that it takes you 60 miles north of the 101. Just a heads up because I didn't know that heading out made the ride home hour longer. The hot spring hut tub was really cool and easy to find. Rope swing was hanging for use in the river. If you have time and int the area this is a awesome trail hit it up.

Beautiful scenery along the way. No real difficulties. Creek was running and passable. When you reach Bloody Basin Rd the last 12 miles is rough and takes quite a bit of time. Did this in my stock JL Rubicon with 33" non lifted and no problems. Sheep Bridge is cool and iconic for us Az natives. Glad I made the journey. Departed back via Bloody Basin Rd to I-17 (the long way). Worth the drive with a lot of elevation change. Plus coming out by Agua Fria NM was worthwhile. Hope you enjoy

An easy trip to a great location. However, it is far and very remote, come prepared, pack a lunch and enough provisions, supplies, and equipment to see you through what can potentially be a multi day trip if you have a breakdown.......I know from first hand experience having been stranded for 2 days after a transmission failure, many years ago, with nary a soul in sight, story for another day. The road is maintained and relatively smooth for the beginning half of the trip but will get progressively rougher due to rocks being exposed, likely by rains. 4wd not necessary but stock clearance vehicles may see some very light contact with rocks, creative maneauvering through the stretches of "baby head" laden road may be necessary. I've been to the bridge a dozen or so times in the past 20 years and it's always been a pristine spot to camp and spend a few days, however, some heavy flooding has seen it become a bit overgrown, muddy, and strewn with flood debris........still, a must see for backroad adventurers.

We did this trail back in March to camp at Sheep’s Bridge. What an adventure we had. The road is long and bumpy. The water was flowing pretty good after all the rain so we there wasn’t anywhere to cross but we came to camp so it wasn’t a big deal. Next to the river was all big river rock with just some small beach space due to the high water and recent flooding. It was extremely busy out there so camp spots were pretty hard to come by. Also, I have been in Arizona for my whole like and have never come across so many rattlesnakes in my life, about 8 in two days. Not really a big deal except that the trail to the hot springs was overgrown and there were a few hiding next to the path. Keep your eyes open and your hands and feet where you can easily see. Fun trail but would be a very long and bumpy day trip.

We have done this ride several times. It's a great, easy ride

Great day on the trail. We ended up going in to the bridge from cave creek and out on bloody basin rd. Surprised how clean it was down there, with as popular as it seems to be. Met a brick layer putting in bricks as stepping stones near the hot tub. Trail is very straight forward. Long day.

Made a later day run out here to see the bridge and test out the new truck, The trail is in good shape, No major washouts or ruts. had no issues at all in a stock 2014 Toyota Tacoma with street tires.

Love this road! Expansive scenery that changes frequently, lots of great little places to explore, and a nice easy dirty road that won't bounce you around like crazy. Nice relaxing drive when you need to get away from it all. Once you get up to the top, you can take the road to the Sheep Bridge (rough road, not for cars) or head out to the I-17 along Bloody Basin. Definitely worth checking out.