HIKE OF THE MONTH

hike of the month Hikers on Scenic Wind Cave Trail See Birds, Plants, Vistas - Everything but a Cave

Each time I arrive at this trail intersection, I confront the same decision: Do I continue on Wind Cave Trail to almost the top of Pass Mountain? Or should I opt for a loop hike around the mountain's base? On this day, choosing required no brains. My companion had specified that she wanted a gentle hike and a sweeping panorama of metropolitan Phoenix. The Wind Cave Trail, about 30 miles east of downtown Phoenix, certainly fulfilled her specifications. As evidence to its ease, two children skipped by us ahead of their parents, one of whom toted an infant in a carrier slung on her back."Let's go that way," my companion said, pointing toward the disappearing kids.

Ranking among the metro area's popular hiking routes, Wind Cave Trail still does not handle a virtually continuousprocession of hikers as do other trails in mountain and desert preserves. Scouting troops often use Wind Cave Trail for day hikes. Before taking you any farther along Wind Cave Trail, let me say that you won't find a real cave at the trail's end. The reward for hiking this trail in the Usery Mountains consists of viewing an array of Sonoran Desert vegetation; watching small mammals and perhaps a Gila monster putter about; and having a sense of walking where desperados had roamed. The "cave" reaches only a few feet into volcanic rock on thewestern face of Pass Mountain, leaving you to wonder how a mere recess cut by wind and water merits the name. Though the area's short on caves, Jerry Waehner, a ranger stationed at Maricopa County's Usery Mountain Recreation Area, said some 25 plant species flourish there. Now, in late winter, the yellow of goldpoppies and brittlebush stood out amid the purple-black volcanic rocks. And the best blooming was expected in the next month or so. Peering over the mountainside with binoculars, my companion and I counted eighttypes of cactuses: chain fruit, saguaro, buckhorn, teddy bear cholla, jumping cholla, barrel, hedgehog and pincushion. We spotted bees fluttering among the lupine flowers. In the spring, hummingbirds would be nurturing themselves on the chuparosa. Bird-watchers can identify canyon towhees, mourning doves, woodpeckers, sparrows and wrens, including Gila woodpeckers which inhabit saguaros. As we neared Wind Cave, the trail became a bit steeper and harder to walk because of small, loose stones and an occasional step-up from one level to another. Taking a breather, my companion scanned boulders with binoculars and came across a Gila monster soaking up the sun. We watched it for 10 minutes as it transformed from a seemingly frozen to a limber state.From the "cave," our view stretched 40 or more miles to the south, west and north, taking in the Santan, South, Estrella, White Tanks, McDowell, and New River mountains. From there, the towering fountain at Fountain Hills (560 feet high) seems no bigger than a water gun spurt. My companion stayed behind as I trekked on along the unmaintained trail to the top of Pass Mountain. After a 20-minute hike including some bouldering, I reached the 3,312-foot summit, about 1,200 feet above the valley floor. From there, my view arced over 360 degrees, including a staggering sight of the Superstition, Mazatzal and Usery mountains. After rejoining my companion at the cave, we hiked back down the mountain to enjoy a picnic lunch under a ramada in the recreation area - a great way to end a great hike.

Getting There: Two miles north of McKellips Road off Usery Pass Road, an extension of Ellsworth Road, Mesa. Or Ellsworth via U.S. Route 60 east from Phoenix. At Usery Pass Recreation Area entrance, take Usery Park Road to Wind Cave Drive, turn left and park at road's end.

Hours: 6 A.M. to 7 P.M. daily.

Fees: $3 per vehicle day-use permit.

Attractions: The 3,648-acre park has 50 picnic sites, 73 individual campsites, two reservation-only group campgrounds, an archery range and a firearms shooting facility. Additional Information: (480) 984-0032.