Lost Dog Wash Trail

LOST DOG WASH TRAIL

Yellow brittlebush bloom along Lost Dog trail

With ample winter rain, the desert in springtime can be an enchanting place.

Brittlebush entwined in cholla

Moisture coaxes the color out of myriad wildflowers, blooming shrubs and trees.

Desert hyacinth "blue dicks" bloom Feb. - May

Chuparosa blooms sporadically in washes year-round

While this past winter offered sporadic showers, it wasn’t quite enough to deliver a “super bloom” year. Yet, even in drier conditions, wildflowers still manage to make a moderate showing in the wash-riddled hills of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Lost Dog Wash trail winds through McDowell Mountain foothills

 

Desert chicory blooms Feb. - May

The preserve’s southern region is a study in the power of water and the Lost Dog Wash Trail gives a tour of how flash floods and storm runoff have shaped the foothills of the McDowell Mountains range in the northeast Valley.

Scorpionweed grows among shrubs and blooms Feb. - May

A Northern mockingbird serenades hikers

Delicate Desert wishbone blooms Mar.- Oct.

In addition to carving the terrain into a landscape of corrugated gullies, ravines, and ragged washes, running water that pools in disturbed soils and rock crevasse stokes colorful blooms year-round.

Brilliant magenta strawberry hedgehog cacti bloom Mar.-Apr.

Although the showy blooms are sparse this year, the trail is flanked by numerous specimens.

Sweeping views on the Taliesin Overlook

Lupine, scorpionweed, desert chicory, chuparosa, fiddleneck, desert hyacinth and wolfberry shrubs make a fair showing among acres of hardy and prolific brittlebush.

Wolfberry shrubs thrive in moist drainage areas

 

The moderate-rated Lost Dog trail makes a steady ascent alternating between palo-verde-lined washes and open fields punctuated with huge saguaros and ironwood trees. 

Vegetation thrives along Lost Dog Wash

Throughout the hike, views the McDowell Mountains and 3,969-foot, antenna-topped Thompson Peak dominated the eastern horizon. As the route gains elevation, the distinctive tip of Red Mountain peeks out above an urban-suburban valley. 

Coiled fiddleneck bloom Mar. - May

At the 2-mile point, a short spur path leads to Taliesin Overlook, a scenic ledge with views of the north and west valley. 

Thompson Peak stand out over a wash-riddled landscape

Cholla buds about to flower

The rolling terrain of McDowell Sonoran Preserve

The trail continues downhill for another half mile to meet the Quartz Trail which connects with the preserve’s popular Gateway Area.  Many hikers make the overlook their turnaround point for a quick workout and walk through a natural desert botanical garden.

Big sky views on the approach to Taliesin Overlook

LENGTH: 2.6 miles one way or 4 miles roundtrip to the overlook and back

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION:  1,755– 2,092 feet

FACILITIES: restrooms, water, shade ramadas, horse hitching posts 

HOURS: sunrise to sunset

GETTING THERE:

LOST DOG WASH TRAILHEAD:

12601 N. 124th St., Scottsdale.

From the Loop 101 in Scottsdale, take exit 41 for Shea Blvd., turn east (right) and go 4.2 miles to 124^th Street. Turn left (north) on 124^th Street and go 1 mile to where the road dead-ends at the trailhead.

INFO & MAPS

https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve