Wind Cave Trail

The Wind Cave Trail is a 3.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail near Apache Junction, Arizona. The hike starts from the Wind Cave trailhead and parking lot in Usery Mountain Regional Park. This is a popular park for hiking, trail running, mountain biking and other outdoor activities. This is also a popular area for local photographers to shoot photos at sunset. In the spring you can often find wildflowers scattered among the desert landscape.  

From the park entrance, make your way to the parking lot along Wind Cave drive. There are restrooms and a drinking fountain next to the trailhead.  Several park benches are also situated along the trail within the park boundaries.  After leaving the parking lot, the Wind Cave Trail quickly comes to an intersection with the Pass Mountain Trail.  Be alert when making your way through this intersection as this is a popular trail for mountain bikers. The hike starts out relatively easy but quickly begins to gain in elevation after passing into the Tonto National Forest.  The trail passes through several washes then continues up a series of switchbacks that snake their way up the side of the mountain.  The trail is in fairly good condition as easy to follow but is quite rocky. Once reaching the top, the Wind Cave is a great place to catch a sunset with expansive views of the city below.  This hike is exposed so be sure to take precautions during the hot summer months and carry an adequate amount of water. There is a healthy population of rattlesnakes in the area so be sure to keep an eye out for them during your hike, especially in the evenings when they are most active.  Other wildlife such as desert tortoises, coyote, rabbits, and deer can also be spotted within the park.