This morning we drove to Cave Creek Regional Park to go for a hike. It was about 40 minutes from where we are staying but well worth the drive. We did a loop heading out on Go John Trail, then to Quartz Trail, and then back on Slate Trail. We hiked 3.5 miles, gaining 425 feet, and took a total of 1h 22m.

GPS track of a 3.5-mile loop hike at Cave Creek Regional Park shown on satellite map, color-coded yellow and green by pace.

It was a really nice hike with great views. There were gentle climbs up but overall it was a nice trail that wasn’t overly difficult.

Brown Go John Trail sign on a desert dirt path leading toward a saguaro-covered hill under a clear blue sky.

There were Saguaro Cactus all over the place. 🌵

Tall saguaro cacti and cholla dot a desert hillside trail under a clear blue sky at Cave Creek Regional Park Saguaro cacti dotting a rocky desert hillside under a clear blue sky at Cave Creek Regional Park

Family selfie at the intersection of Go John and Quartz trails.

Family of four posing for a selfie at the Go John Trail and Quartz Trail junction signs in a desert landscape with saguaro cacti and hills behind them. Narrow dirt trail winding along a desert hillside densely populated with tall saguaro cacti under a clear blue sky Sonoran Desert valley with saguaro cacti and scrub brush, framed by rocky hills under a clear blue sky

The Quartz Trail has a lot of quartz on it. This huge outcropping of quartz was impressive.

Tall saguaro cactus with multiple arms stands on a desert hillside dotted with more saguaros, shrubs, and a rocky outcrop under a clear blue sky. Dozens of tall saguaro cacti covering a desert hillside under a clear blue sky at Cave Creek Regional Park Arizona

Lucky was tired out and incredibly dusty.

Fluffy white goldendoodle resting in the open cargo area of a white SUV with a Minnesota United FC bumper sticker

We also added an extra mile of hiking before this hike because we took off down this trail, and didn’t notice the “North” part. After going a half mile we turned around and started over on the right trail. Ooops!

Brown Go John Trail North sign for bikes, horses, and hikers at a desert trailhead, with saguaro-covered hills behind.