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/

Lousley Hill Trail

LOUSLEY HILL: McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

A hiker and his dog look out over the Verde River Valley

Finding a quiet place in McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Fountain Hills isn’t always easy.

With its long, flowing trails the 21,099-acre Maricopa County park in Fountain Hills is popular with mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians.

A rock stack marks the summit of Lousley Hill

Outfitted with camp sites, picnic areas, playgrounds and family-friend amenities and events, the park is a very busy place in Arizona’s cooler months. Still, solitude can be found, if you know where to look.

The area is recovering from a 1996 wildfire

The 1.2-mile Lousley Hill Trail is an under-the-radar gem that’s perfect for escaping the crowds.  The quiet trail offers easy access, a mild climb and scenic vistas of the Verde River Valley, McDowell Mountains and distant wilderness peaks. From the trailhead, a short access path crosses a sandy wash shaded by a mesquite trees to connect with the loop portion of the trail. Either leg of the loop works for the climbing part although the left leg is less steep and more gradual that the right.

The trail makes a moderate climb with great views all around

The trail hugs the exposed, brittlebush-covered slopes of a peak on the northern nub of the Lousley Hills, a north-south running ridge at the park’s east border.  The path is well-maintained but a little rocky. There are rest areas with benches on both legs of the loop to take a break if needed.

A lightening-cause fire in 1996 destroyed much of the park’s vegetation. Except for a few telltale black scars on saguaros, disintegrating tree skeletons and sparse tree cover, you’d never know that 14 years ago, the area looked like an ashen moonscape.

Lousley Hill Trail sports lush spring wildflowers

Since then, the scorched earth has given way to a resurgence of desert shrubs, trees and wildflowers. This is an especially pretty hike in spring when Mexican gold poppies color the foothills and surrounding plains.  Scattered stands of Palo verde trees and saguaro cacti provide spots of shade throughout the otherwise open-to-the-sky hike.  A series of long, lazy switchbacks land hikers on the tiny summit. A gigantic rock cairn sits at the top of the sunny vantage point with 360-degree views. 

Rugged terrain & mountain peaks seen from Lousley Hill Trail

Look for the distinctive knob of Red Mountain rising above emerald flood plains at the convergence of the Salt and Verde Rivers and the and hazy silhouettes of the Sierra Ancha mountain range. 

The trail's moderate grade is perfect for kids and dogs

The summit has plenty of nice spots to take a break or hang out to enjoy the solitude of an isolated desert bluff. If you’re up for more following this mini mountain assault, consult the park map to build a longer loop or out-and-back hike.

LENGTH: 1.2-mile loop

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 1,711 – 2,036 feet

GETTING THERE:

16300 McDowell Mountain Regional Park Dr., Fountain Hills.

From the park entry gate, follow McDowell Mountain Park Road past the main trailhead staging area to the Lousley Hill trailhead on the right. There’s a restroom nearby.

FEE: There’s a $7 daily fee per vehicle.

INFO: maricopacountyparks.net/mcdowell-mountain-regional-park-mm/

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

ESCONDIDO TRAIL

ESCONDIDO TRAIL

McDowell Mountain Regional Park

View of Four Peaks from the Escondido Trail

There's a cool virtual tour of the Escondido Trail on the McDowell Mountain Regional Park website. It's a beautiful slide show describing the route's scenic features, elevation profiles and loop options. This is the park's first online tour and it's great for both vicarious thrills and inspiration to hike the trail in real life.

Constructed in late 2013, the trail can be accessed at established trailheads or from its many connecting routes. One option is to begin at the Lousley Hill Trailhead and hike 5.1 miles south to the Four Peaks Staging Area as either an out-and-back or car shuttle trek.

Because of its flowing style, hairpin turns, graceful bends and few obstacles, the trail feels fast underfoot. Located in the park's far east end, the mostly unshaded trail showcases expansive mountain views, a smattering of gigantic saguaros and a twisting walk through the quarry-like mounds and washes around the Lousley Hills.

The trail's fast track nature makes it a favorite among mountain bikers and runners. For hikers, the smooth pathway is perfect for a joint-friendly, swift paced jaunt.

LENGTH: 6.2 miles one-way (10.2 out-and-back as described here)

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 1,620' - 1,930'

FEE: $6 daily fee per vehicle

FACILITIES: restrooms, picnic areas, horse staging, visitor center

GETTING THERE:

Lousley Hill Trailhead:

From Loop 202 in Phoenix, take the State Route 87 (Beeline Highway) exit 13. Go 11.5 miles north to Shea Blvd. Follow Shea 0.5 mile to Saguaro Blvd., turn right and continue 3.7 miles to Fountain Hills Blvd. Turn right and go 4 miles to the park entrance.

Follow McDowell Mountain Park Drive 4.8 miles to Lousley Drive South, turn right continue 0.3 mile to the parking area

INFO & VIRTUAL TOUR:

https://www.maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell/Maps.aspx

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ANDREWS-KINSEY TRAIL

ANDREWS-KINSEY TRAIL

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Complex geological features are highlights of the hike

Opened in 2014, the Andrews-Kinsey Trail acts as a connector route between Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve and adjacent Fountain Hills Preserve. The trail pays tribute to the efforts of Chet Andrews and Roy Kinsey who have given over 40 years of service to the McDowell Mountain Conservancy stewardship programs. The two-mile preserve section of the route runs along foothills overlooking a green valley bolstered by the distinctive profiles of Four Peaks, Mount Ord and Weaver's Needle. At the top of each hour, the Fountain Hills geyser can be seen from the high ridges spewing one of the tallest water spouts in the world. The mostly exposed trail begins across from a junction located beneath Sunrise Peak. Rolling out in a curvy single track, it clings to the edge of cactus cloaked slopes, rock escarpments and patches of cholla sprouting from clearings littered with glinting slabs of broken quartz. These beautiful specimens are just a tiny part of the complex geology of the surrounding terrain. Both the rocks underfoot and those visible on the horizon chronicle many cataclysmic chapters of earth's history. During high hiking season (October-April), stewards occasionally offer guided geology hikes and talks that give insight into the volcanism, faulting and erosion that continues to shape this stretch of basin and range topography. For a primer, check out the resources available on the Arizona Geological Survey website.

Overlooking Fountain Hills

LENGTH: 8.4 miles (as described here)

RATING: moderate-difficult

ELEVATION: 1,923'-2,962'

GETTING THERE:

Sunrise Trailhead, 12101 N. 145th Way, Scottsdale.

From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, exit onto Shea Blvd. and go 5.8 east to 136th St. Turn left, go 0.4 mile north to Via Linda, turn right and continue 1.75 miles to the overflow/horse lot on the right or continue to the 2-mile point and the main trailhead on the left. Begin on the Sunrise Trail and hike 2.2 miles to the Andrews-Kinsey junction. From here, the trail goes 2 miles to the border with Fountain Hills Preserve, where you can continue on or return the way you came.

INFO: McDowell Sonoran Preserve, 480-312-7013

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve

MAP:

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/Public+Website/preserve/Preserve+Trails+Map.pdf

GEOLOGY INFO: Arizona Geological Survey

http://repository.azgs.az.gov/sites/default/files/dlio/files/nid943/ofr-95-16_report_fountainhills.pdf

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Short fitness trail

HILLTOP TRAIL

McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Fountain Hills

Jump start your New Years resolutions

Before reading this blog post, please insert the following earworm in your brain:  the theme song from the Rocky films. Ready.  Set. Go.  Instead of the Philadelphia Museum of Art stairs, or ballpark bleachers---use this trail.  'Nuf said.

LENGTH:  0.5-mile up-and-back

RATING:  easy

ELEVATION:  1860' - 1961'

FEES:  $6 daily fee per vehicle, $2 walk or bike-in, annual passes available.

FACILITIES:  restrooms, water, visitor center, picnic tables, camping

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go east on Loop 202 to Beeline Highway (SR87). Head north on SR87 to Shea Blvd, turn left and drive less than a mile to Saguaro Blvd, turn right and continue to Fountain Hills Blvd, turn right and continue 4 miles to the park entrance. Pay your fee and drive thru the park to the main trailhead staging area at the end of Shallmo Drive.  Maps are available at the park entrance and visitor center.

INFO: Maricopa County Parks & Recreation, 480-471-0173

http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell/default.aspx

MAP: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell/pdf/2012/mcdowell-11x17-3d.pdf

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Ridgeline hike above the Verde River Valley

Holiday surprise on the trail: Dec. 24, 2012

SCENIC TRAIL

McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Fountain Hills

With 20 trails laced over 21,000 acres of Verde River Basin desert, selecting a hike in this northeast Valley county park can be a dilemma. Therefore, I submit a suggestion---begin with Scenic Trail to get a fast and easy overview of the park layout.  Scenic Trail leaves from the main trailhead staging lot making a lasso-loop up and over the Lousley Hills.  Although the Rio Fire ravaged some of the area in 1995, once up on the ridgeline, the land returns to beautiful Sonoran desert glory.  Because much of the route follows the backbone of the Hills, the trail lives up to its name by offering double-edge views of the entire park, the town of Fountain Hills (look for the famous fountain at the top of each hour), the Verde River Valley and the green pecan and citrus farms of the Ft McDowell Indian Reservation.  A memorial bench on the crest provides a nice meditation or water break spot.  Here, look for an unusual crested saguaro on the downhill slope.  It's unique because the fan-like deformation is on one of the cactus' arms instead of on the top.

Overlooking the Verde River Valley

LENGTH:  4.3-mile loop

RATING:  moderate

ELEVATION:  1860' - 2011'

FEES:  $6 daily fee per vehicle, $2 walk or bike-in, annual passes available.

FACILITIES:  restrooms, water, visitor center, picnic tables, camping

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go east on Loop 202 to Beeline Highway (SR87). Head north on SR87 to Shea Blvd, turn left and drive less than a mile to Saguaro Blvd, turn right and continue to Fountain Hills Blvd, turn right and continue 4 miles to the park entrance. Pay your fee and drive thru the park to the main trailhead staging area at the end of Shallmo Drive.  Maps are available at the park entrance and visitor center.

A curious coyote checks us out

INFO: Maricopa County Parks & Recreation, 480-471-0173

http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell/default.aspx

MAP: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell/pdf/2012/mcdowell-11x17-3d.pdf

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Wildflower hike in McDowell Mountain Park

168^th Street Spur

McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Fountain Hills

Four Peaks from 168th Spur

Bee on fairy duster

Back in the mid 1990s, this park sustained some substantial fire damage which left large swaths of land devoid of trees and shrubs.  Although the area is recovering nicely---jojoba, Palo verde trees and blooming shrubs mask the last of torched trunks---there's a “secret” place that escaped the fires where centuries-old ironwoods and massive saguaros anchor an “old growth” desert forest.  This slender, sandy path has been used for years by residents of the communities that border the park's northern perimeter. Now, the 168^th Street Spur is an official route. With more than 51 miles of  great, shared-use  trails in this park, one might wonder why bother with a little one like this.  Simple---it's the “garden valley” of the McDowells, and with peak wildflower season approaching, it's a good location to know about.  Why, this week in early February, we observed poppies, scorpion weed, fairy dusters, lupine, desert rock pea and a bevy of sprouts about to burst with color.  In addition, the abundant plant life attracts birds galore.  Hawks, ravens, cactus wrens and phainopeplas are easy to spot gorging on wild seeds.

LENGTH:  4.2 miles (as described here)

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 1,850' – 1,930'

DOGS:  leashed dogs allowed

KID FRIENDLY?:  yes

PARK HOURS:  6 a.m. - 8 p.m. (10 p.m. Friday & Saturday)

FEE: $6 daily per vehicle , $2 per person walk/bike in.  Bring exact change for the self-serve kiosks.

See web site for info on annual passes, senior discounts, etc.  Maps are available at the park entrance and nature center.

FACILITIES:  restrooms, water, camping, picnic tables, nature center, horse staging

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go east on Loop 202 to SR87 (Beeline Highway).  Go north on SR87 to Shea Blvd, turn left (west) and drive roughly 1 mile to Saguaro Blvd (traffic light).  Turn right (north) follow Saguaro to Fountain Hills Blvd., turn right and continue 4 miles to the park entrance.

TRAILHEAD AS DESCRIBED HERE: from the park entrance, follow McDowell Mountain Road past the nature center, then past Shallmo Drive. Just before the point where Pemberton Trail crosses the road, there's a dirt pullout with wood pylons on the left.  Park here.  Walk a few yards north on the road to the Pemberton Trail, turn left (west) and hike 0.4 mile to the 168^th Street Trail junction.  We hiked to the park boundary, then followed the perimeter trail to 158^th St. Spur.  Because we had stashed a dog poo bag on the way in, we back tracked to pack it out, however, you could take 158^th Spur back to Pemberton to make a loop hike of about the same length.

INFO: Maricopa County Parks, 480-471-0173

http://maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell/

http://maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell/pdf/2011%20maps/mcdowell-trail-master-plan-8x11-www-2011.pdf

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