The Coyote Canyon trail was added to Northern region of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in 2014. This canyon is beautiful, with some granite outcrops and narrow canyon and sandy wash. The granite outcrop with the howling coyote shape makes sense for the name of canyon.

From Granite Mountain Trailhead we travel 2.3 miles on the Bootlegger, Granite Mountain Trails to Coyote Trailhead.

Most trails are flat with some pleasant ups and downs, and bend through giant old stands of saguaro.

The double crested saguaro is found right off the trail, about 0.7 miles along.

We took the Desperado Trail around 0.2 miles to see the knotty saguaro, another particular beauty in the park.

Back to the junction, we stretch down. After 5 miles on the canyon floor, we catch the Dove Valley Trail and follow the 136^th Express Trail back to the parking area.