Jojoba Trail

I picked a perfect Hike of the Month for October. Unfortunately, we did it in the middle of August.

If the air were 20 degrees cooler, it would have been fantastic. So, clip this article and stuff it in your “to-do” folder for the cooler months.

The sun baked us at a steady 108 degrees. We didn’t last long.

The Jojoba Trail (pronounced ho-ho-ba – use that to impress out of town guests) is sparse in terms of shade, but plentiful with panoramic lake views.

The trail’s actually quite fun, too. The elevation change is minimal on the whole, but the trail winds and undulates all the way. It offers little ups, downs and switchbacks to keep things interesting. Many of the hilltops offer extraordinary views of the lake and desert.

The Jojoba Trail is dedicated, too. Most of the way, it’s easy to see and follow. We did lose it momentarily on the return trip, but I chalk it up to heat exhaustion.

It’s a thin, gravel trail, which happens to be my favorite type. It’s rugged enough to make you feel as though your hiking instead of “walking” (my least-favorite form of exercise), but it’s well used enough so that you’re not bushwhacking through unexplored desert.

Take caution, though. The gravel is loose in a couple spots and will test the tread of your boots.

Cactus fans will love the trail. We saw some of the fattest, healthiest looking saguaros in the state. At one point, two giants flank the trail on either side, standing like guards on duty.

We had an extra treat, too. Halfway in, we heard rustling in the bushes ahead. A couple steps later, two deer bounded out and scampered away. They paused after scuttling off to a safe distance and let us look at them for a bit.

The Jojoba is a “there-and-back” trail. A trail description says the total mileage is 2.1 miles. I’ll have to take it at its word. We covered most of that distance, but turned around before the end because of the heat.

Redemption came at the end of the hike when we peeled off our boots and waded in the refreshing Bartlett Lake. It’s not exactly San Diego, but it felt good.

The trailhead is to the left of the Jojoba parking lot as you face the lake. The beginning is well marked. Restroom facilities are available.

To get there, take Pima Road north into Carefree. Turn right at Cave Creek Road and follow until a right turn at Bartlett Dam Road. For there, follow the signs to the Jojoba parking lot. It’s about 50 miles from Fountain Hills.

The cost is $6 per car at a self-pay station. Add another $4 if you bring a boat.

This hike was first featured September 2002 and revised February 2007.