Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Sonoran / Western Trails Exploratory Day Hike
| when? |
Saturday, February 12, 2011
|
| where? |
Fountain Hills Preserve |
| the hike |
Exploratory hike crossing all of preserve. The Fountain Hills Preserve provides
740 acres of open space along the only wildlife access on the eastern side of
the McDowell Mountains. It is adjacent to Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran
Preserve and Maricopa County’s McDowell Mountain Regional Park.
This is a 2 car shuttle hike, starting at the Dixie Mine Trail.
We’ll then connect to the Sonoran Trail, which has a gradual climb,
and the result is elevation that offers hikers spectacular views of the
surrounding McDowells and Verde River Valley and the Mazatzal Mountains and
Four Peaks in the distance.
The next highlight will be the Western Loop Trail, with many switchbacks and
views of downtown Phoenix. We have the option of also checking out the Overlook
Trail as we make our way to the South access point of the Preserve.
|
| distance |
8+ miles |
| time |
4-6 hours |
| EC |
+-1900' elevation change |
| elevations |
2,170' (Dixie Mine Trail) to 3,015' (Western Loop) |
| on trail |
100% —
Dixie Mine, Sonoran, Promenade, Western Loop, and Overlook Trails |
| rating |
"B"
Rate yourself as a hiker. |
| dogs allowed |
no |
| cost |
$2 entrance fee for the portion of the trail that crosses into the McDowell Regional Park.
When car-pooling, pay your share the cost of gas. The club also allows
voluntary contributions of $5/non-member.
|
| weather |
Phoenix |
| meet |
8:00 AM in the parking lot of the
Target Center on the south side of Shea Blvd., about a mile
west of Highway 87 (Beeline). For those leaving their cars behind,
please park up against the north curb away from Target. |