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Cornucopia- Thicket Spring Loop

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Cornucopia - Thicket spring hike
Cornucopia - Thicket spring hike
Colorful moth on the Cornucopia - Thicket spring hike
Cornucopia - Thicket spring hike
map: Cornucopia - Thicket spring hike
Elevation plot: Cornucopia - Thicket spring hike

Location

How to Get There
This hike is located near Fountain Hills, AZ.

To get to the trailhead: From the Phoenix area, take HWY87 North, leaving the city limits. You will drive about 35 miles from Fountain Hills to a signed exit between mile marker 222 and 223. The turnoff is signed as Sycamore Canyon. You will turn left across the highway (be careful!). This paved road will soon turn to dirt. After 1.2 miles, turn right onto unsigned dirt road FR201. After another 1.2 miles, you'll stay right at the junction between FR201 and FR25 (staying on FR201). Take FR201 all the way to the signed trailhead (approximately 11 miles from the highway). This road has some spectacular views but is not for those skittish of heights. High clearance vehicles are OK, 4wd is better. Not a place for passenger cars.
city
fountain hills
state
az
Region
Superstition and Mazatzal Wilderness

Hike details

Distance
7.80 [Miles] Total
Hike Distance- Details
The hike described is 7.8 miles for the loop hike (including the mine).
Time
4.00 [Hours]
Time-details
We were hiking for 4 hours.
Elevation Change
1,900 Total gain/loss [Feet]
Elevation Details
About 1900 ft total climbing (900 ft change).
Hike Trail Type
Lollypop Loop

Season

Best Season
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • September
  • October
  • November
Date Hike completed
January 09, 2007

Solitude

Solitude
High
Solitude Details
Fantastic. Once we got on the trail, we had this area all to ourselves.

Difficulty

Difficulty Rating
Moderate
difficulty detail
Great views and great solitude. The drive to the trailhead from HWY-87 is one of the most memorable in Arizona. The out and back described here is a Moderately Difficult hike.

Permits

Be Aware of
The trail is overgrown in places, so long pants will make for a more comfortable hike (Thicket trail and West Fork trail).

Loop hike with the Cornucopia trail and the Thicket Spring trail in the Mazatzal wilderness, Arizona.

First, you have to get to the trailhead. The dirt road approach to the Mount Peely trailhead has incredible views and you don't have to hike at all. This road is narrow and the penalty for distracted driving is severe, so pay attention. The dirt bike and ATV folks also like this road, so extra vigilance is required.

Once you get to the trailhead, you really get the opportunity to explore this diverse area. The trailhead is at 5500 ft, making this a good summer hike. There are two trails leaving the parking area, you want the one with the large, unmistakable Arizona trail sign. This section of the trail is shaded in pine trees, now more rare thanks to the 2004 Willow Fire. The Cornucopia trail (#86) traverses one face of Mount Peely with wide ranging south facing views of the area.

After 0.5 miles, you will reach the signed junction of the Mazatzal trail on your right (Jct 01 on map). This area of the trail is exposed, with the vegetation being mostly scrub. Stay left and continue another 1.0 mile to the signed junction of the Thicket Spring trail (Thicket Spring on map). There is supposed to be a spring here, but either it is a seasonal spring or I couldn't find it. Turn right here and take the Thicket Spring trail (#95) as it starts a climb up a saddle. This section of trail is still easy to follow but is slightly overgrown. Your climbing will be rewarded with the best views of the hike: Great views of Saddle Mountain, Mount Ord, and the Superstitions in the distance.

The trail begins to head down into the West fork of Sycamore canyon, soon reaching the signed junction (Jct 02 on map) of the West Fork trail (#260). Make a left here onto the West Fork trail. This short trail climbs over a hill and down into the main canyon. Here the seasonal water of the wash changes the vegetation significantly, with oak and sycamore trees being much more prevalent. After only 0.5 miles on the West Fork trail, you'll reach the signed junction (Jct 03 on map) of the Cornucopia trail again. If you turn right and hike 0.5 miles, you'll enjoy some of the nicest scenery of the hike and you'll get to explore some remains of the Cornucopia mine. Turn around at the ruined bus and take the Cornucopia trail back to your car. This section is a steady 1000 ft climb, so you will get that great sense of accomplishment when you finally reach your car.

Map

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