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APACHE WASH LOOP
Phoenix Sonoran Preserve
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| Apache Wash Loop Trail |
In an environment where
plants and animals must adapt and invent to survive, desert washes
play a critical role in managing life's most precious commodity.
These serpentine natural gutters corral and horde rain water in ways
that create ribbon-like forests and natural underground reservoirs.
A sure-fire way to get an
education about the transformative power of washes is to take a hike
on the Apache Wash Loop Trail in the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve. The
trail dodges through and around a water-scoured furrow and its
companion linear oasis that coils through flatlands below a chain of
minor desert peaks.
The rugged, tree-lined
trench is scoured by storms that come mostly in torrential bursts
accompanied by churning clouds and lightning theatrics. During these
downpours, massive walls of water roll off surrounding slopes into
low lying channels forming transient rivers of debris. Flowing
washes are far more dangerous than they appear, so to avoid being
swept away, never attempt to hike (or drive) through one while water
is running. There are warning signs where the trail crosses the wash,
so pay heed. Porous soils soak up the rainfall almost as quickly as
it appears but the benefits are long-lasting. The fringe of green
lining the wash is made up of deep-rooted trees and shrubs like
mesquite, palo verde, catclaw and ironwood that tap into underground
water reserves. This tightly woven community of desert adapted plants
huddled among water-tumbled boulders, sandbars and super size
saguaros provide pleasant shade spots along the route. Although
wildlife is most active at dawn and dusk, javelina wallows, nests and
burrow diggings belie a robust critter population dependent on the
wash and its reliable stashes of water and food.
The easy loop trail is simple to follow
and offers both shortcut options and access to an optional summit
climb. Posts at every junction show your position, distance and
elevation. After hiking the loop, take a side trip up to Apache
Vista to get a bird's eye look at the meandering miracle of the wash.
LENGTH: 6.7 miles (including access
trails)
RATING: easy
ELEVATION: 1700' - 1820'
GETTING THERE:
Apache Wash Trailhead.
1600 East Sonoran Desert Drive,
Phoenix.
From Loop 101 in north Phoenix, take
Cave Creek Road exit 28, go 4.5 miles north to Sonoran Desert Drive,
turn left (west) and continue 3.5 miles to the trailhead on the
right.
INFO & MAPS: Sonoran Preserve
Ranger Office: 602-262-7901
