Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Quartz Loop Day Hike
when December 14, 2019
where McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale
the hike     This is yet another little gem of a trail in the beautiful McDowell Sonoran Preserve that has somehow been overlooked for the past 11 years and last hiked in April, 2008. So it’s time once again to revisit this area that takes in some of the best scenery of the preserve.
    The trail takes you through gorgeous Sonoran Desert in the beautiful McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This eight-mile route will start on the Quartz Trail (elevation 1,585') and will then proceed onto the Paradise Trail, counterclockwise around the Gateway Loop (high point 2,379), and then back by the same route (Paradise/Quartz). The pace will be leisurely.
Required:
•  Sturdy hiking boots
•  At least 3 liters of water
•  Rain poncho
•  Hat, sunblock, sunglasses
Recommended:
•  Lunch or snacks
•  Camera
distance 8.3 miles
time 4-5 hours
EC +-700' elevation change
on trail 100% — Quartz Trail, Paradise Trail, Gateway Loop Trail
rating "C"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
type figure-6
starting at
Quartz Trailhead 33° 37'37.2"N,  111° 51'25.6"W  
dogs? no
cost Sharing gas expenses with the driver.
The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
weather Scottsdale.
Unless it is pouring rain or thunderstorming at 7:00 AM the day of the hike, we will proceed. I will send out an email to everyone signed up for the hike on Friday, 12/13.
meet 8:00 AM in the Quartz Trailhead parking lot at 104th St., south of McDowell Mountain Ranch Road.  We will leave promptly at 8:15 AM.
drive
•  From Route 101 and Cactus, head east on Cactus. Turn left (north) on 94th St. This road becomes Thompson Peak Parkway.
• After crossing Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and then two bridges, turn right (east) onto McDowell Mountain Ranch Road.
• Turn right (east) onto McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, then make the second right onto 104th St. The first traffic light is 102nd St.
• Turn right at the first road from 104th St. and then turn right into the parking lot.
• See Map.
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updated December 1, 2019 © Copyright 2019, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.