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Cline Creek Site (New River)

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Cline Creek site hike
Cline Creek site hike
Cline Creek site hike
Cline Creek site hike
petroglyphs at the Cline Creek site hike
Pottery shards found at the cline creek site
Cline Creek site hike
Elevation Plot: Cline Creek Site
Map: Cline Creek Site
Cline Creek site hike

Location

How to Get There
This hike is located near New River, AZ.

From the Phoenix area, take I-17 North to the Carefree Highway exit. Turn right onto Carefree Highway and drive about 6.2 miles to the intersection with 7th street. Turn left (North) here and follow this road for 3.2 miles. Turn right onto signed Circle Mountain Road (East) and drive for about 1 mile. Turn left onto signed 12th street (North) and drive the final mile to the junction with Jenny Lin Road. There is a gate here and parking for a few cars on the right. Trail access is within a neighborhood, so please minimize your impact by being respectful to private property and parking appropriately. Please obey all no parking signs in the area. Your positive actions will go a long way in making sure hikers have access to this area.
city
anthem
state
az
Region
Phoenix Area and Central Arizona

Hike details

Distance
4.20 [Miles] Total
Hike Distance- Details
4.2 miles for the out and back hike described.
Time
2.50 [Hours]
Time-details
It took us about 2.5 hours to complete this hike
Elevation Change
750 Total gain/loss [Feet]
Elevation Details
about 750 ft gain
Hike Trail Type
Out and Back

Season

Best Season
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • October
  • November
  • December
Worst Season
  • July
  • August
Date Hike completed
April 29, 2023

Solitude

Solitude
High
Solitude Details
Really secluded hike. On a Saturday we had this hike all to ourselves.

Difficulty

Difficulty Rating
Moderate
difficulty detail
Although the hike is mostly flat along a jeep road, the peak requires some scrambling and the hike itself requires some route finding. This hike is Moderately difficult.

Permits

Be Aware of
route finding, ATVs, scrambling

Hike to the Cline Creek Site (ruins) near Anthem, Arizona.

There are some surprisingly remote Hohokam ruins in the New River area that are well worth exploring. They're known as the Cline Creek Ruins.

From the small parking area, go through the gate (close it behind you) and follow the jeep road north east. If you look north you'll see your destination on a prominent peak. The jeep road ribbons in places, but it always rejoins. keep heading north east and if you're unsure on which way to go, follow the path that looks more well worn from off road vehicles. You'll be walking through typical Sonoran desert here with lots of Saguaro, prickly pear, and barrel cactus.

After about 1.3 miles of hiking, you'll rejoin FR53. Turn left here (JCT_1L) and walk another 0.1 miles where the road forks. Turn right at this unsigned junction (JCT_2R on the map) and continue to follow the wide path. You'll start a steep climb and soon the wide path will narrow into a single track trail. Continue to follow this steep section to the top of the peak. When you start nearing the peak, you'll see evidence of habitation with pottery shards and walls. After some scrambling you'll reach the top where you'll be able to check out some well preserved walls as well as an eagle eye view of the site. It's worth exploring this area a bit to see the different petroglyphs and walls. You'll also enjoy some great views of the surrounding desert and the New River area.

Remember not to take any artifacts and leave the site the way you found it. When ready, return the way you came.

 

Map

Swap Start/End
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