Discovering Ancient Treasures: Solo Hiking and Exploring SKULL MESA in the Arizona Desert

Join me on an epic solo hike up to Skull Mesa in the stunning Arizona desert! Let’s embark on a journey to discover ancient petroglyphs and ruins hidden among the rugged landscape, all the while being blown away by the gorgeous, sweeping views of the majestic Sonoran desert. We'll also get up close and personal with iconic desert plants like saguaros, chollas and yuccas, as well as taking in some of the fascinating geology of the area. Get ready for a one-of-a-kind experience as we venture through the rugged terrain and discover hidden gems along the way.
Skull Mesa, located in the heart of Arizona, holds a unique and intriguing history of the peoples who once called this area home. Hiking through this stunning landscape, visitors will have the opportunity to discover petroglyphs and ruins left behind by the ancient inhabitants. These treasures offer a glimpse into the lives and cultures of those who lived in this region long before modern civilization. With each step on the trail, a sense of wonder and excitement builds, as the past comes to life. Skull Mesa is a must-see destination for anyone looking to connect with the history of this fascinating land.
So come along for an unforgettable outdoor experience filled with history, beauty, and even some adrenaline-- a journey that will take us deep into the heart of the Arizona desert!
If you love the desert and enjoy images of nature, head over to my website where you’ll find posters, shirts, canvases, mugs and more with the gorgeous images I capture during my hikes!
naturallytrailheaded.com
00:00 Good Morning/Intro/Let's Go!
01:40 Coyote Tracks/Howling
02:25 Is that it???/Cottonwood Trail
04:30 Cool Saguaro/Yucca vs Airplane
05:46 Cool Gate/Start of Final Ascent
06:19 First Petroglyph!!!
07:09 More Petroglyphs
07:34 Last Half Mile (lol)
08:53 Top of the Mesa/Cool Plants!
10:35 To the Edge/Lunch!/Tin Cans?
11:30 Off the Trail Searching
13:00 On the other side...
13:45 Finding a way Back
14:36 Nature or Human?
15:15 Famous Last Words/Climbing Down
16:06 Straight Shot Back/DownDownDown
17:08 Glorious Cholla/Rock!
17:40 More Up???
17:57 Signing Off and Thank You!
18:25 Final Tally (hiking stats)
#arizona #solohiking #outdoors #desert #hiking #nature #rockhounding #explore #mountains #geology #adventure #cactus #petroglyphs #ruins

[@robertbuick1500]

"Cold o'clock"....good grief, need I remind you? 🙂 50 degrees is nearly perfect hiking, pickle ball, disc golf, wheeling and anything else weather. Another cool video. Congrats!!

[@naturallytrailheaded]

🤣 I caught myself on my latest hike, when I started out with "man it's cold" but soon realized that it was like 50 degrees! I distinctly remembered a lot of snow on some of our hikes in the PNW, and that put me back in check! Thanks for tuning in!

[@SenseiJRY]

Thanks for the video! Awesome views!

[@naturallytrailheaded]

My pleasure, thanks for the comments!

[@wayawolf1967]

Going to be in that general area in April 2024. Driving from Kentucky to Queen Creek Arizona to visit our grand kids for a few days. Hope to do a hike or two. We did one a couple of years ago to Weavers Needle in the Superstitions. So much easier to hike out there without humidity dragging us down. Another great video. Keep them coming my friend.

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Thank you! I grew up on the East coast and completely understand the humidity factor! 🥵 As your trip gets nearer, feel free to reach out if you'd like some trail suggestions, I'd be happy to help.

[@wayawolf1967]

My wife is Navajo and has lived in Phoenix , Flagstaff and Blackmesa (Kayenta). She still has a few trails on her bucket list so I'll bet thats where she will drag me. LOL Thanks for the offer. She has several nieces and nephews that want to go hiking with us so we may have a pretty good size "tribe" on that hike. Its always fun though. I know you know what I mean. @@naturallytrailheaded

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Nice! Maybe I should be the one asking for trail suggestions! 😀 Have a great trip!

[@mtbrnn]

The old Verde Hohokam ruins are on the far northwest thin ridge on the mesa. About 2 miles from the overlook and some scrambling to get padt the 2 small peaks. You can see the ruins on Google Maps.

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Thanks for the tips! I'll probably be heading back up there some time this season to check them out. I've had a pretty bad run lately of not doing any research (other than the basics) before I go out searching for stuff. Will definitely scout it out on Google Maps.

[@vandme]

Another great video, some ridiculous views! Do you know more about those petroglyphs like who/when etc.? Thanks!

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Thank you for the comment! From what I've read, the petroglyphs are from the Verde Hohokam and are approximately 800 years old.

[@Cobbmtngirl]

Enjoyed this, thanks? How far was that hike to the top of skull mesa? Assume far because you were “freaking out” when you came in view. ☺️

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Glad you enjoyed it! I think the total with all the extra roaming up at the top was around 15.5 miles. So a bit far, but totally worth it!

[@luisasantarosa7927]

you know White flowers you're talking about Well, if you pull off those flowers don't use your nails cause if you use your nails it will turn it sour, just pull off the little flowers and you can cook them and mix it with like scrambled eggs is what I've been told. I have yet to try it. But my husband's from a Salvador and that's what they eat, that's the. Plant of their country

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Wow, thank you so much for that information, I had no idea! I see those pretty often when I'm out hiking, and will definitely grab a few flowers next season to try in scrambled eggs-- super excited to try it!

[@itsmeee4293]

I do realize this silly question will make me sound like a kindergartener, but its been blowing my mind since finding your videos! Is there not a serious concern for wildlife out there? Especially alone! Its beautiful and I'd love to experience it. However, I'd rather mosy without the concern of being eaten 😂 (i dont care for running, panting or being eaten alive 🤷‍♀️, just not my thing) I've been to Arizona. Ive seen the Grand Canyon and Sadona. While it was breathtaking it's nothing like the experience you're bringing to us! I live in the midwest so we dont have the excitement thats available to you 😅 again, sorry for the silly inquiry, curiosities run wild 😂

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Welcome to my channel! Far from being a silly inquiry, that is a big concern for everybody who walks out into the wilderness alone. Over the course of my outdoor adventures, I've come across rattlesnakes, tarantulas, big horn sheep, elk, javelina, gila monsters and even a whole group of black bears! The best thing you can do is to know what you might encounter and learn what to do should an encounter occur. From my personal experience, the vast majority of wildlife want nothing to do with humans, and will actively avoid you or try to flee. Even those massive bears turned tail and ran when I started clapping and yelling. Its always a risk/reward calculation, and for me the joy of exploring the natural world and experiencing the things I get to are easily worth the risk! I would say don't let the fear of an animal encounter deter you from getting outdoors-- especially on well-defined/routinely traveled trails. Generally, the odds of an encounter with a dangerous animal are pretty close to zero (excluding rattlesnakes in AZ, but that's a special case!😁). Admittedly this is a bit long winded, but I hope it helps!

[@itsmeee4293]

@naturallytrailheaded , I'm so sorry! I have no idea how I missed your reply! Thank you so much for taking the time to explain! You have the patience of a Saint 😇 this was incredibly educating and helpful! Thank you again, may you and yours be well 🩵🙏