Skull Mesa Trail # 248 features panoramic views of the desert foothills. This is a good place to see deer, javelina, and snakes. This is not recommended for novice equestrians or inexperienced stock. Due to the tall grasses in the area you'll find the rock cairns a useful guide to finding the path.

From the west junction with Cottonwood Trail at an elevation of 3260 feet the trail climbs many switchbacks, gaining over 1000 feet in a mile. For next mile, traverse Skull Mesa reaching elevation 4560 feet, then drops to the junction with Quien Sabe Trail. The trail climbs and descends for 1.5 miles to its east junction with Cottonwood trail.

Directions: From Cave Creek, Travel north on Forest road 48 to Forest Road 247 the trail starts at the junction of 247 and 48.

Elevation: 3,260 feet

Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet

Usage: Light

Difficulty: Strenuous

Visitor Information

Contact Wildernet