MODERATE Plus: Indian Mesa Loop at Lake Pleasant Regional Park

***Hike date is being moved from 12/1 to 12/22 due to high water level in the Agua Fria River.

MODERATE: Indian Mesa Trail Loop

NOTE: this hike may end up being an out and back hike due to river level conditions)

Hike leaders: Paul Feeney (480) 843-9547l; Scott Downey (5033)936-7239

Date: Monday, December 22, 2025
Trailhead: Agua Fria Conservation Area, Maricopa County, AZ
Description: Loop

This hike is a moderate PLUS hike**.** HIKING POLES WILL BE NEEDED. The first two miles of the Indian Mesa hike will take us down the hill and along the dirt road which cuts through the brambles next to the dry Agua Fria riverbed. During mile 3, and part of mile 4, we start the climb towards Indian Mesa. About 2/3s of the total elevation gain occurs during this section of the hike. The climb starts gradual and then becomes a slightly steeper climb the last half mile to the top of the Indian Mesa ruins.

The ruins were used by the Hohokam Native Americans between AD 1000 and AD1200. The vistas from the top are spectacular 360-degree views of the Aqua Fria River and Lake Pleasant in the distance to the West. The archeological ruins are well preserved and a special hike everyone should try and do at least once.

The return loop will take us down the Mesa and along the dirt access road for a short distance. We will then cut across the dry riverbead and hike on the Agua Fria trail. There will be some ups and downs in this section with lots of loose rocks and small boulders. Eventually we will hike along the riverbed for a half a mile before heading back up the final hill towards the parkinglot where we started.

There are a lot of thorny bramble bushes, but we should be able to avoid most of them. The brush along trail can be overgrown. Also, about half of the hike is on loose gravel and fist size stones. Long pants and trekking poles are recommended.

Hike Distance: 7.5 miles
Accumulated Elevation Gain: approximately 1030 feet
Trailhead Elevation: 2000 feet
Driving Distance: 137 miles R/T; 75 minutes
Drivers Fee: $11 plus a share of the $7 park entry fee
Dirt Road Fee: $2
Trailhead facilities: portable restrooms with no water
Meetup: 7:45 Cottonwood parking lot

Directions:
If using a smartphone Google Maps type system - enter "Aqua Fria Conservation Area" to get driving directions.

From Cottonwood parking lot go north to Riggs Road and turn left; drive 2.5 miles to I-10 west towards Phoenix
Stay on I-10 west for several miles and before the airport take North 17 exit 150A towards Flagstaff stay on 17 for approximately 30 miles driving past Anthem to Table Mesa Road exit 236.
At stop sign take a left driving over the overpass of 17 to Frontage Road and take a right. Frontage Road turns into a smooth gravel road; go past the Cemex cement plant to a Y in the road take the road on the left #9997 go 2.8 miles staying to the road on the left (a ranch road is on the right after a mile) to the end of the road. There is another parking lot on the right but that is not our trailhead so stay on gravel road until it ends.

Hike Leader - Paul Feeney (480) 843-9547
Drivers Fee: $11 Dirt; Road Fee: $2; Park Entry Fee: $7 per carload