Leisurely hike near a ranch
Sophie Burden made wicked good beer biscuits — an accidental concoction she created when camping companions guzzled the milk she was saving for the recipe.
Dubbed the “first lady of Arizona innkeeping” by former Gov. Paul Fannin (19591965), Burden ran the popular Wickenburg dude retreat Remuda Ranch, frequently taking guests on cookouts to the hills and flats around the property. The ranch was sold in 1968 and is now a high-end treatment center for people with eating disorders.
The ranch site is private, but the peripheral stomping grounds remain open to hikers and equestrians. A roomy, rustic trailhead with separate parking areas for cars and horse trailers anchors the site’s 7.1-mile main “A” loop trail. The hike is a leisurely amble through a hilly landscape shaped by mining, ranching and harsh climate.
A maze of washes, Jeep roads and unnamed trails intersect the route, so be sure to follow the “A” signs to stay on course.
Length: 7.1-mile loop.
Rating: Easy.
Elevation: 2,4002,740 feet.
Getting there: Take Interstate 17 north to Carefree Highway (Exit 223) and go 30 miles west to U.S. 60. Turn right and drive toward Wickenburg. Just before the Hassayampa River Bridge traffic circle there, turn right on El Recreo Drive. Go 0.25 mile, veer right onto Constellation Road and continue 2.7 miles to Blue Tank Road. Turn left and go 1.3 miles to the trailhead. The last 4 miles are on sedan-friendly dirt roads