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Margies Cove Trail is a
nearly level, 9-mile route through the heart of the
63,200-acre North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness. The North
Maricopa Mountains are a jumble of long ridges and
isolated peaks separated by extensive, saguaro-studded
bajadas and wide desert washes. Cholla, ocotillo, prickly
pear, paloverde, ironwood, and Mexican jumping bean
complement the thick stands of saguaro to form classic
Sonoran Desert vistas. Commonly seen wildlife include
desert mule deer, javelina, desert bighorn sheep, coyote,
desert tortoise, and numerous varieties of lizards and
birds.
Margies Cove Trail follows
a combination of former vehicle tracks and wide, unmarked
desert washes. No trail signage or directional markers are
available along the route; therefore, this trail is
recommended only for experienced hikers skilled in reading
topographic maps. Margies Cove Trail intersects the
northern terminus of the Brittlebush Trail in the interior
of the North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness.
Margies Cove Trail is
accessed by Margies Cove West and Margies Cove East
trailheads. To access Margies Cove West Trailhead, exit
Arizona Highway 85 onto a primitive dirt access road as
shown on the map below. Use extreme caution when turning
from Highway 85 onto the dirt road. A high-clearance, two-
wheel-drive vehicle is suitable for this road. Margies
Cove East Trailhead is accessed from Maricopa Road
(Arizona Highway 238) as shown on the map below. A four-
wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for safe access to the
Margies Cove East Trailhead.
Margies Cove West Trailhead
includes day-use parking for ten vehicles, three campsites
with picnic tables and steel fire rings, a vault toilet,
and informational signage. Margies Cove East Trailhead has
day-use parking for five vehicles and informational
signage.
Margies Cove Trail is not
mapped; however, the route is depicted on the USGS
7.5-minute topographic maps "Butterfield Pass,
Ariz." and "Cotton Center SE, Ariz." The
remainder of the North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness is
depicted on USGS 7.5- minute topographic maps "Margies
Peak, Ariz.," and Mobile NW, Ariz."
Margies Cove Trail receives
the greatest use from October through April. At other
times, the trail is little used. Always tell a friend or
relative where you are going and when you plan to return.
Drinking water is not provided at Margies Cove West
or Margies Cove East trailheads, so bring plenty.
The North Maricopa Mountains are prone to heavy rains and
flash floods. Do not attempt to cross flooded washes.
You may encounter rattlesnakes or other poisonous
creatures; watch for them and be careful where you put
your hands and feet. Do not harass reptiles most bites
result from people playing with, collecting or attempting
to kill them. Fires are not allowed in the North
Maricopa Mountains Wilderness.
For more information,
contact: Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix Field Office,
2015 West Deer Valley Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85027, (623)
580.5500.
Information courtesy BLM
Phoenix Field Office.
Click
here for BLM map of Sonoran Desert National Monument. |
