Hiking in the Desert Sun: Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve
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What I love most about southern Arizona is that there are so many breathtaking places to hike and mountain bike. Seriously, you will never run out of options. I have taken many daytrips here from Flagstaff to enjoy a bit of sunshine, cacti, and desert plant life during the colder months (if you are from the area, then you already know that Northern Arizona gets pretty cold and snowy come winter).
Phoenix is located in the Sonoran desert (so are Southeastern California and Northwestern Mexico), which claims the title of wettest desert in the world. This enables many different plants to grow here, giving the area a surprisingly lush atmosphere for a desert.
One of my favorite places to hike in the metro is the exceptionally lush McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale. It’s located away from the congestion and I find the cacti and mountain scenery here so much more dramatic than anywhere else. It gets less tourist traffic than South Mountain and Camelback which is always a bonus. The Phoenix metro is so busy with strips malls, apartments and attractions. But there is another side to the region that most tourists don’t see and this is where these great preserves come in.
Exotic desert plant life in every direction
It’s not all barren here in Southern Arizona, but rather bustling with all sorts of beautiful desert plant life. This is due in part to the strong summer monsoon season, along with oftentimes heavy rain during the winter season, for an average of 3-16 inches per year.
The beautiful Saguaro Cactus, of which you will see plenty of driving around, is native to the Sonoran desert. It’s a whole different experience seeing these plants up close in person which is why I recommend hiking during your vacation.
Hiking any trail in the McDowell preserve will give you a great viewpoint of these tall beauties. Plus, there are a lot of beginner friendly trails which are perfect for first timers as well as strenuous mountain climbs for more avid hikers. Basically, there is something here to please everyone and enough trails to go on hiking forever.
Although it doesn’t look too large from the road, the Saguaro can grow to be up to 20 feet tall and can live more than 120 years. On your hike, you will get to stand side by side and experience the majesty of these beautiful plants. The Champion Saguaro, found in Maricopa county, is the largest known at 45.3 feet! You can learn more about these cacti by looking at this interesting fact sheet by the Arizona Department of Education.
A fantastic desert oasis to escape the crowds
To me, Phoenix is one of the most gorgeous and interesting areas to plan a hiking vacation due to the variety of desert plants and many preserves you can choose amongst. And you never have to drive really far which is nice. I feel that this preserve is a great place to start. It’s a bit less congested than the very popular, yet scenic Camelback mountain hike, giving you more time and space to explore the area.
At this preserve, you will find 120 miles of trails, which are shared by hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. 5 different trailheads are located along more than 30,000 acres of the incredible Sonoran desert. Hikes vary in intensity from extremely easy 1/2 mile nature trails to the extremely steep and strenuous 11 mile long Tom’s Thumb loop. This hard hike looks amazing and it is on my list but I haven’t got around to it yet. I have to plan a hotel from Flagstaff whereas for an easy day hike, I can drive here and then back in the same day.
The Horseshoe Loop: a great place to start
The Gateway Trailhead, the largest in the system, offers access to 3 relatively easy hikes: the 4 mile Gateway Loop (a moderately challenging hike with great views), the peaceful 1/2 mile Bajada Nature Trail, and the easy 1.7 mile Horseshoe Loop. The Horseshoe and Bajada trails are both perfect options for those who want to enjoy a little of the beautiful desert scenery without going all out.
Along the Horseshoe, you will experience awe-inspiring cactus and mountain scenery, without the need to push yourself over the limit – not a good choice during the brutal summer months! The short distance enables you to get in a nice little workout before the daytime temps reach the 100’s. Keep in mind that temps will still be in the upper 80’s-lower 90’s – so come prepared!). I recommend only hiking in cooler months, but this trail is one of the shorter options if you must visit this time of year.
There are no hills or steep sections on this loop. It’s just the right length to get your heart pumping without suffering heat exhaustion. Along the journey, you will experience up close views of all different types of cacti, most notably the famous Saguaro Cactus. The uniquely beautiful cactus/mountain landscape makes for some pretty great photos, especially if you can find time to do a sunset/sunrise hike.
A quick view of many of the interesting desert plants found along the way. I love cacti of every variety, so I really enjoyed the scenery on this one. And everything just looks so fresh, green, and alive for a desert!
When planning a visit to the Phoenix area, I recommend getting out there and enjoying the beautiful nature trails found throughout the region. Beyond the shopping malls, restaurants, and endless subdivisions, you will find that there really are incredibly peaceful places to enjoy a hike in a setting found nowhere else in the world.
Directions & Additional Info
- The Gateway Trailhead is located at: 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255.
- To get to the Horseshoe loop, you will start on the Gateway Loop and follow the signs. Everything is marked well for your convenience. Enjoy the hike!
- Hours are dusk-dawn.
- No parking or admission fees.
- Trail brochures are available near the entrance.
- Dogs allowed, but must be leashed.
- Accessible trails: Campino Campana, Lost Dog Kovach Family Nature trail, and the Gateway Accessible and Interpretive trail. You’ll find more info in the preserve hiking guide I’ve linked below.
A guide to all the hikes in the preserve
Tips for Hiking During the Hot Summer Season
*Plan your hike for very early in the morning. Unfortunately, the constant 100+ degree daytime temps make afternoon hikes totally off limits. You will need to set your alarm clock between 5am-7am, at latest, to complete a hike before the brutal daytime sun and temps arrive. You will see many other people doing the same! Sunset is also okay, although still hotter than an early morning hike.
*Wear a camelbak or pack a backpack with several water bottles. You will need a few due to the combined heat/dry weather. Electrolytes mixes are also recommended for longer treks.
Don’t touch any of the cacti. I got stung once at Usery Mountain – it hurt bad and took forever to pull out the needles.
*Bring a cell phone and tell others where you will be just in case you get lost or injured.
*Take it easy. This is not the time to challenge yourself! Save longer, more intense hikes for the milder winter season. Enjoy a leisurely hike through the scenic desert, without overdoing it. I saw several joggers on the trail – not sure how they did it in the 90+ heat! Never hike more than 2 miles during the summer.
*Wear light colored clothing and preferably shorts and a very light top.
*Protect yourself from the sun with a hat and sunglasses. It’s very hard to see and take pictures without sunglasses!
