Malpais Traditional Cache

Welcome to San Tan Mountain Regional Park. With over 10,000 acres, the southeast Valley park is a fine example of the lower Sonoran Desert. The park ranges in elevation from about 1,400ft to over 2,500ft. Goldmine Mountain is located in the northern area, with a spectacular San Tan Mountain escarpment in the southern portion of the park. The vegetation changes from creosote flats to dense saguaro forest. Various types of wildlife may be observed.

Trails: Rock Peak Wash and Malpais Trail (7.8 miles Moderate-Difficult)

Recommended Use: Hiking and Equestrian

Summary: This is a more difficult loop that will take you to some beautiful and remote areas of the park seldom seem.  The Malpais Trail is a gorgeous trail that follows a sandy wash for 2.5 miles along the base of the Malpais Hills. This is an excellent area for viewing larger wildlife like javelina, coyotes, bobcats and birds of prey.  There are a few hills and rocky areas with a total elevation gain of roughly 500ft. Because this is a longer loop, bringing water, snacks and proper attire is highly recommended.

There is a $6 per vehicle park entry fee to access the trails. For more information please visit http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/santan/

Cache placed with the kind permission of Maricopa County Parks and Recreation