Ridgeline Trail

RIDGELINE TRAIL

View from the new Ridgeline Trail

The latest addition to the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve trail system delivers a great workout over its compact, sinuous course.  Aptly dubbed the Ridgeline Trail, the path which debuted in Fall 2020, traces the spine of a chain of hills in the preserve’s southeast sector.

A steep section of the Ridgeline Trail

The trail’s ingenious build, ample directional signage and meticulously groomed tread glides through the mountainous terrain like a knife through buttah.
While the trail is rated as difficult, it lacks the precipitous traverses, confusing junctions, insanely steep inclines and slippery descents typically associated with the rating. 

Ridgeline Trail hugs the spine of a chain of peaks

Fountain Hills viewed from the Overlook Trail

But don’t be fooled by its tame appearance and deceptively effortless 226 feet of elevation change from low point to high point. The route is a grinding rollercoaster of twisting descents and false summits that add up to over 900 feet of gain-and-loss over the 3.8-mile trek.

The route follows a lumpy ridgeline

 From the Adero Canyon trailhead in the foothills above Fountain Hills, the hike begins with a mild walk on the Overlook Trail.  This short connecting trail has several scenic viewpoints and is perfect for those looking for a quick up-and-back with great vistas. But for a full dose of mountain exposure, follow Overlook 0.6-mile to its end and continue on the Ridgeline Trail. 

Switchbacks ease the climbs on Ridgeline Trail

The slim path is not open to bikes so you won’t encounter speeding traffic that could be dangerous where the trail hangs on the edge of stony outcroppings.  Within a quarter mile, an unobstructed view of the full length of the lumpy ridge shows what lies ahead. 

Hike begins on the Overlook Trail

The trail stays high on the backbone of a series of mounds, clefts strewn with chipped quartz and cholla-embellished flats with views that grow and change throughout.  Early in, the McDowell and Cave Creek Mountains to the northwest soar above an expansive valley dotted with homes.

Distance Four Peaks seen from Ridgeline Trail

Quartz specimens line the route

Midway through the hike, views of the familiar Weaver’s Needle and Flatiron formations in the Superstition Wilderness, Mazatzal Mountains, Four Peaks, Red Mountain and the distant conical form of Mount Ord take over.  After what feels like a dozen or more ascents and descents, a final climb lands hikers on the craggy nose of the ridge.  Although the terminus is not the highest elevation of the hike, the isolated nub stands clear of view-blocking cliffs and ravines that characterized the hike up to this point opening up 360-degree vistas.  From this dizzying spot, the importance of preserving natural environments is visually apparent. 

The route has over 900 feet of elevation change

View from the end of Ridgeline Trail

In the distance, hazy layers of wilderness mountains fade into a sprawling river basin at the confluence of the Verde and Salt Rivers.  Directly below, golf greens, subdivisions, shopping centers and highways lap at the cusp of this little jetty of saved space.  It’s something to be thankful for in a tumultuous 2020.

An edge-hugging section of Ridgeline Trail

LENGTH:  3.8 miles roundtrip

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION: 2,364 – 2,590 feet (950 feet of accumulated elevation change)

GETTING THERE:

Adero Canyon Trailhead

14800 N. Eagle Ridge Drive, Fountain Hills.

From State Route 87 in Fountain Hills, go 3.2 miles west on Shea Blvd. to N. Palisades Blvd. Turn right (north) and continue 1mile to Eagle Ridge Drive, turn left and go 2.3 miles to the trailhead.

PRESERVE HOURS: Sunrise to sunset daily. No fee.

INFO:

Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve

https://www.fh.az.gov/295/McDowell-Mountain-Preserve-Trails

Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills

https://www.scfh.org/

PROMENADE-SONORAN LOOP

PROMENADE-SONORAN LOOP

Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve

Ocotillo frame Superstition Wilderness peaks.

Sonoran Trail dips and climbs through rugged foothills.

A Red-tailed hawk glides above the Verde River basin.

Adero Canyon Trailhead officially opened on 11-17-2018.

Stop and smell the desert lavender while hiking.

With the restroom plumbing and water lines nearly complete and the access road mostly paved, the new Adero Canyon Trailhead in the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve was officially opened on November 17, 2018. 

The Promenade Trail follows a wide dirt road.

After decades of planning and construction, the roughly 1000-acre preserve now occupies a mountainous sliver of space between manicured golf communities and the hiking hubs of Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve and McDowell Mountain Regional Park. 

Four Peaks seen from the Promenade Trail

The mini-but-mighty preserve located in the far northwest corner of town really packs a punch in terms of varied hiking opportunities. The preserve has more than 11 miles of non-motorized trails that range in difficulty from very easy to extremely challenging.

Excellent signage keeps hikers on track.

Perhaps the most tantalizing hiker-gravy of the trail complex is its connectivity. Although most of the preserve’s routes are contained within its borders, the Sonoran, Andrew-Kinsey and Dixie Mine trails cross into the adjacent park and preserve.  These property-spanning paths offer seamless foot travel among the popular northeast Valley hiking hubs. 

Brittlebush are prolific bloomers along the trails.

Although each of the preserve’s trails has its own character, they all capitalize on their advantageous location overlooking the Salt and Verde River basin. Here, scenic vistas come in the form of both low hanging fruit and hard-won jewels. Ostensibly, the big jewels are gained by clambering up and over the extreme course of the Western Loop Trail, but a walkabout on the less-arduous Promenade and Sonoran Trails unpacks similar dramatic scenery.  

Wolfberry shrubs bear bright orange fruits.

Lacy Tansy-Aster bloom along the trails.

From the trailhead, the Promenade Trail follows a wide, edge-hugging road on the preserve’s eastern foothills. Trails within the preserve are well-signed and outfitted with location markers that correspond with maps available online and at the trailhead, so getting around is simple as long as you pay attention.

Arching ocotillos shade the Sonoran Trail.

As it swings around chunky bluffs, unobstructed views of the iconic Four Peaks and Superstition Wilderness soar above green valleys and sprawling suburbs. As the route swings northwest, distant silhouettes of Sierra Ancha Mountains back the rugged expanse of the Tonto National Forest. At the 0.8-mile point, take either the Sonoran or Lower Sonoran Trail at location marker ST1/LST1.  

Junction for the loop portion of the hike.

Both legs of the difficult-rated loop have some steep sections and loose rock where the path descends and rises through a craggy notch. Continue less than a mile to the crossover link at marker LST5 and swing back on the opposite leg. 

Sonoran Trail spills into McDowell Mtn Regional Park

While hiking the loop, don’t let the big mountain and valley panoramas dominate your experience.

Desert lavender shrubs frame views of Tonto NF mountains.

A veritable botanical garden of flowering plants tickle the fringes of the trails.  Wolfberry shrubs, cholla cacti, brittlebush and desert lavender drape over the route adding pops of color to the heady hike.  

LENGTH: 3.3 miles

RATING: moderate-difficult

ELEVATION: 2460 – 2170 feet

GETTING THERE:

Adero Canyon Trailhead: 14800 N. Eagle Ridge Dr. Fountain Hills.

From State Route 87 in Fountain Hills, go 3.2 miles west on Shea Blvd to N. Palisades Blvd. Turn right (north) and continue 1mile to Eagle Ridge Drive, turn left and go 2.3 miles to the trailhead.

HOURS: Sunrise to sunset daily

FEE: no fees unless you cross into MMRP ($2 per person).

INFO:

https://www.fh.az.gov/295/McDowell-Mountain-Preserve-Trails