Black Hill Trail

BLACK HILL TRAIL

Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Mount Ord seen from Black Hill trail

Desert mountains everywhere.  That’s the atmosphere on the Black Hill Trail. 

Cholla (L) and Granite (R) mountain

Tethered to the recently upgraded Fraesfield trailhead in the north sector of the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the smooth and easy path is steeped in mountain views both near and far.

Bees gather pollen from a buckwheat shrub

 

The 1.9-mile route, which also part of the 315-mile Valley-circling Maricopa Trail, takes off from a shaded trailhead rest area where an artful metal sign identifies the many peaks, mesas and buttes visible from the trail. 

Black Hill trail traces Fraesfield Mountain

Take a moment to appreciate the landmark names and their places in the landscape.

Once something has a name, it’s no longer just an inconsequential encounter or a hazy outline on the horizon, but a real thing-- a character per say-- in your personal explorations. 

Desert marigolds add pops of color to the trail

They become like good friends you’re always happy to meet again and again.

Yuccas are plentiful along the route

Like all trails in the 30,580+-acre north Valley preserve, Black Hill is well-signed, immaculately maintained and designed to guide trail users through some of the area’s most gorgeous vegetation and geological formations.  The 4-mile out-and-back hike begins with a brush by a chain of rounded flanks that comprise 3,055-foot Fraesfield Mountain. 

Saddle Mountain (C) stands out on the horizon

Following an old dirt road, the trail wanders through classic Sonoran Desert vegetation dominated by turpentine bushes, cholla, yuccas, mesquite trees and colorful spots of wildflowers. 

A "Mushroom rocks" sculpture galley

Following a short traipse through sunny rangeland, the route makes a mild uphill climb to where views of distant mountain ranges and peaks appear over acres of palo verde trees and enormous saguaro cactuses. 

Four Peaks viewed from the trail

Look for the familiar forms of Four Peaks (7,657 feet), Weaver’s Needle (4,554 feet), The Flatiron (4,656 feet), Mount Peeley (7,011 feet) and Mount Ord (6,529 feet) as well as other landmarks named on the trailhead interpretive sign.  

Remnants of defunct ranch operations line the route

The far-off stony peaks are countered with equally impressive, trailside rock formations. The mini massifs---often called “mushroom rocks”-- take on bizarre shapes with chock stones and slipped slabs heaped in a sort of natural outdoor sculpture gallery.

Trailhead signage names distant peaks

Black Hill trail is also part of the Maricopa Trail

Throughout the hike, the craggy heaps of Cholla and Granite mountains hover to the north with acres of green desert flora huddled at their bases.  The Black Hill trail ends at the junction with the popular Granite Mountain trail where it’s easy to pick up a connecting path to extend the hike for more mountain immersion and a chance to test your peak-naming memory.

A giant saguaro stands sentry over the trail

Paper flowers bloom sporadically year-round

LENGTH: 4 miles roundtrip

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 2,514 – 2,667 feet

GETTING THERE:

From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, take the Princess/Pima exit 36 and go 6.5 miles north on Pima to Dynamite Blvd./Rio Verde Dr.  Turn right and go 5.6 miles to the trailhead on the left.  There's a restroom but no water at the trailhead. Preserve hours are sunrise to sunset daily.

INFO:

https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve