Summer in Arizona can be like that house guest who overstays his welcome. Especially this year with our heat waves, the hot temperatures have been particularly stubborn to leave.
Luckily, about 30 miles out from Phoenix, Arizona (our city center) lies Cave Creek, Arizona where the temperatures are about 10 degrees cooler… and the views are cooler too at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation - a 2,154 acres nature park.
While most desert trails in Phoenix offer the basic menu of rocks, gravel, and sand (which sometimes sneaks its way into your shoes)- Spur Cross outshines them with splashes of riparian greenery and a beautiful creek (Cave Creek) that runs through it. 
Here are my 3 favorite trails there. (Source: Maricopa County trail map)
1. Fairy Duster Trail
Well, let’s start with this one since I liked the alliteration of “Fridays are for the Fairies” and chose that for my title.
From Spur Cross Trailhead, take the Spur Cross Trail branch on the right. Continue for 0.1 miles. Then, you will see the trail branches to the right with a sign marked “Fairy Duster Loop Trail.” It’s a 0.5 mile loop with a gentle incline and decline. At the midpoint, there’s a bench you can rest on and enjoy sweeping views of the park’s landscape (along with ahem Cheetos and candies and all the snacks that you packed. 
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The path loops back to the Spur Cross Trail, which continues for 0.9 miles. Spur Cross Trail then connects with Metate Trail, which is another 0.9 miles, which then connects again to Spur Cross and you continue another 0.3 miles on it back to the trailhead.
…Or if you’re feeling like you need to get back home asap because you miss your sofa, you can just finish the Fairy Duster 0.5 mile loop and then turn left on Spur Cross and walk the 0.1 miles back to the trailhead.
2. Spur Cross Trail
The Spur Cross Trail crosses a few scenic spots… but here’s a little “secret” shortcut. Shhh! The scenic spots are the “end” of the Spur Cross Trail … but if you walk it in “reverse” you’ll be able to get to the fun spots faster. 
From the Spur Cross Trailhead, take the left branch of the Spur Cross Trail. After a little less than 0.3 miles, you’ll be able to see the creek. There’s a wooden board that you can walk to go across. Depending on how much rain we get in a year, the water may babble loudly and flow fully - or it may whisper weakly with only a small trickle.
Shortly ater you cross, you will see Metate Trail on the right; turn onto Metate. From there, in a little less than 0.2 miles, on your left- you will see some stones that mark the remains of an old Dude Ranch. A few steps ahead on your right- is the Solar Oasis, a small pond filled with lilies. Animals sometimes drink here, though they often do it when people aren’t around.
3. Dragonfly Trail
For this particular trail, you’ll actually want to park in a different lot called Jewel of the Creek Preserve. The parking lot is a bit smaller and fits around 10-15 cars. The trail that leads down from the lot into the park is Dragonfly Trail. It’s a gentle decline and you can see the green treetops. Continue for about 0.25 miles, and then you will see the trail branches out on the right. If you take that branch, you’ll see the creek again along with another wooden bridge to cross. Alongside you, the trees grow in abundance and it feels like you are no longer in the desert. As you continue to walk the trail, you will see another branch after about 0.2 miles. You can either continue straight to explore more of the Dragonfly Trail loop, or you can go left- which is another bridge crossing across the creek. If you choose the latter, once done crossing, you can just climb up the short 0.25 miles back up to the parking lot.
(Note: While the trails above showcase a lush riparian environment fed by the creek, note that the park is byob, which in this case stands for “bring your own beverage” since there are no water fountains.)
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