CHILL ON THESE COOL, KID-FRIENDLY VALLEY TRAILS

CHILL ON THESE COOL, KID-FRIENDLY VALLEY TRAILS

There's lots of shade at Gilbert Riparian Preserve

In Arizona, a summertime trifecta of wildfires, forest closures and excessive heat can challenge even the most determined hikers.  While escape to the high country and cooler mountain climes is often not an option, the scramble to find suitable hike destinations that are close by, offer a little shade, are entertaining for antsy kids and satisfying for adult hikers can be challenging.

But it is still possible hike safely during the Phoenix inferno months by hitting local trails

early in the morning (we’re talking, be done by 9 a.m.), take plenty of water, don a hat, sun-protective cloths and sturdy footwear and always tell somebody where you are going and when you expect to return.  Here are a few gems that are great choices for quick escapes.

 

CENTRAL PHOENIX

Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area

A restored section of the Salt River flows through the site

Just two miles south of downtown Phoenix, where the Salt River once flowed, a former dumping ground has been transformed into a thriving 595-acre oasis in the desert.

Dozens of species of dragonflies live by the river

With the cooperation of the Army Corps of Engineers, the Flood Control District of Maricopa County and droves of volunteers, tons of waste were cleared out of the Salt River channel and replaced with ponds, waterfalls and tens of thousands of indigenous plant species. Although the revitalized strip of riparian habitat looks as if it occurred naturally, it’s a “demonstration wetland” that was created by tapping into the groundwater beneath the river channel and pumping more than 2.65 million gallons of water per day to sustain the habitat.

Birds and waterfowl are easy to spot on the hike

Trail segments are organized to feature specific desert habitats such as Cottonwood-Willow, Lower Sonoran, Mesquite Bosque and Palo Verde. The area is flush with native plants that were harvested from seeds or cuttings within a half-mile of the Salt River. Snowy egrets, raptors, toads and dozens of other species have settled into the reedy shores and shaded coves.  

LENGTH: 13.8 miles of trails

RATING: easy and informative

GETTING THERE:

Northeast 7^th Ave. Trailhead: 2801 S. 7^th Ave.

Northeast Central Ave. Trailhead: 2439 S. Central Ave.

Southeast Central Ave Trailhead: TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Southwest 7^th Ave. Trailhead: 3212 S. 7^TH Ave.

16^th St. Trailhead: 3203 S 16^th St.

HOURS: Sunrise to 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first.

FACILITIES: restrooms at some trailheads

City of Phoenix

https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/rio-salado-habitat-restoration-area

 

EAST VALLEY

Gilbert Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

Waterfowl thrive in the preserve's 7 ponds

The sound of waterfowl is deafening.  Even with its proximity to U.S. 60 and a busy community center, a hike in this wetland complex of seven ponds and a fishing lake mimics a stroll in a wilderness marsh.  These created groundwater recharge basins are surrounded by massive, green riparian vegetation attracting thousands of shorebirds, making for a cool, shady hike, even in warm weather.  

Over 4 miles of shady trails wind through the site

Great blue herons, Snowy egrets, long billed dowitchers, mallards, grebes, killdeer, warblers and hummingbirds are extremely easy to spot.  Short loop trails with interpretive signs weave among flower gardens, mesquite bosques, nesting sites and feeding grounds.  For hard-core birders, viewing blinds are set up along the shores. 

Trails are easy and barrier-free

In addition to the hiking trails, the site features a kiddie playground with educational (dinosaur dig, anybody) opportunities, an observatory and a hefty events calendar.

LENGTH: 4.5 miles of trails

RATING: easy, barrier-free

ELEVATION: 1,200 feet

DOGS:  Leashed dogs are allowed, and owners must clean up after their pets.

GETTING THERE:

2757 E. Guadalupe Rd.

HOURS: 5:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Trails open dawn to dusk

FACILTIES: restrooms

City of Gilbert

https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/riparian-preserve-at-water-ranch

 

WEST VALLEY

Skyline Regional Park, Turnbuckle Trail

View from the top of Valley View Trail

Anchoring the maze of paths that wind through 8,600-acre Skyline Regional Park, the Turnbuckle Trail offers an excellent introduction to the park’s mix of easy strolls and challenging mountain climbs among the washes and foothills of the southern White Tank Mountains. Although it's located just 2 miles north of Interstate 10, the blissfully quiet site has a wild yet accessible feel to it.

Desert vistas abound on Turnbuckle Trail

Like most hikes in the park, Turnbuckle begins with a stroll across a graceful, oxidized bridge spanning Mountain Wash. It loops around a prominent mountain peak and connects with Valley Vista Trail for an optional 0.33-mile, difficult climb to a vertigo-inducing summit. This short hiker-only trek involves some steep, narrow sections with drop offs.  Begin at sunrise to get up and back before the heat of day sets in.

LENGTH: 4 miles round trip

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 1,500 - 2,300 feet

FACILITIES: Restrooms, picnic tables, campsites

HOURS: Trails open sunrise to sunset. Gates close at 10 p.m.

GETTING THERE:

2600 N. Watson Road, Buckeye

INFO: City of Buckeye

https://www.buckeyeaz.gov/residents/skyline-regional-park-trails

 

NORTH VALLEY

Jewel of the Creek Preserve, Cave Creek

A desert oasis along Cave Creek

Showcasing the desert foothills and thriving riparian environment surrounding the “Jewel of the Creek” area of perennial Cave Creek, this unexpected strip of lush creek-side willows, alders, walnut trees and cattails is hemmed in by rugged Upper Sonoran Desert terrain making for a breathtaking hybrid desert-wetland hike. While there, you’ll also wander through a mesquite bosque, the 5th rarest eco-system on earth. Although most hikers prefer to grab a map at the trailhead and head out on their own, the park ranger, Kevin Smith—who knows just about everything about the local flora, fauna, geology and human history of the area, conducts regular guided tours for those who would like an educational experience.

Many eco-zones are represented on the hike

There's year-round water at Jewel of the Creek

Check out the link below to find out when the next one is happening. We can thank the efforts of the Desert Foothills Land Trust for securing the preservation of this delicate eco-system and for also raising the funds needed to plan for and build the trail.

Rare desert water runs through the preserve

LENGTH: 1.9 miles for the creek loops only

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 2,400 -2,150 feet

FEE: $3 per person (exact change is required)

FACILITIES: portable toilets at Spur Cross Ranch trailhead

SUMMER HOURS: 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.

GETTING THERE:

44000 N. Spur Cross Road

Desert Foothills Land Trust

https://www.dflt.org/

Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area

https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/spur-cross-ranch-conservation-area/

 

 

A storm of seeds

RIO SALADO HABITAT RESTORATION AREA

Downtown Phoenix

Cottonwood seeds in irrigation channel

Like ephemeral misty extras in a fantasy film, a matinee of billowy white cottonwood seeds are now playing in downtown Phoenix.  If you've ever watched movies that feature elves, forest faeries or warring factions of sword-wielding gladiators, then you may have noticed how Hollywood likes to use  mood-enhancing showers of airborne white stuff (seeds, snow, ash) to build drama while tickling trees and mythical characters alike.  That's what it looks like right now along desert waterways where the seeds of female cottonwood trees are  bursting free and hitching rides on air currents before settling into lofty drifts among blooming shrubs. The easy trails of Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Project offer quick, barrier-free access to this annual natural event which runs through mid-April.

Seed drifts beneath mesquite trees

LENGTH:

To 19th Ave:  2.0 miles one way

To 7^th Ave 0.8 miles

To 12^th Ave scenic overlook: 1.2 miles one way

Basic stroll on paved surfaces: 0.5 mile one way

ELEVATION:  1050' - 1070'

RATING: easy, paved, partially barrier-free

DOGS: allowed but leash & waste pick-up laws are strictly enforced to protect the habitat

HOURS:  sunrise to sunset (or 7 pm, whichever comes first)

GETTING THERE:

There are several access points.  The cottonswoods are best at the Central Ave location at 2439 S. Central Ave. Phoenix.

INFO: City of Phoenix, 602-262-6863

http://phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/riosalado/index.html

MORE PHOTOS:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3938513200009.1073741838.1795269672&type=1&l=815e4170ec

Urban wildflower hike

TERRACE TRAIL

Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area

Globemallow, March 7, 2013

Wolfberry, March 7, 2013

She appeared out of a pile of rubble to check me out as I photographed wildflowers on the flood plain.  The beautiful white pitbull mix kept both her distance and a watchful eye on my wanderings, never letting me get more than a few dozen yards of her. I dubbed her “Ghost”. Sadly, feral dogs and cats are common in this 5-mile stretch of the Salt River, which cuts through Phoenix just south of downtown.  Surrounded by quarries and construction industries, this 595-acre City of Phoenix multi-purpose project spanning from 19^th Ave to 28^th Street was developed to restore the native riparian life zone, improve flood management and open new recreational opportunities.  The formerly blighted river corridor was cleared, water pumped in and thousands of native plants reintroduced into created wetland marshes, mesquite bosques and cottonwood-willow habitats. Even with all the improvements, the sights and sounds of the heavy industry end of town are ever present ---planes overhead, earth movers groaning in the quarries that flank the river and unfortunate piles of trash carried in on the wind.  Still, it’s important to keep in mind how extraordinary it is that this place even exists.  And, for me that’s the draw.  Although the Terrace Trail is one of the least attractive of the area’s hiking routes, I find it fascinating to marvel at the variety of life inhabiting this sliver of green wedged between freeways and barrios.  Beautiful life such as globemallow, wolfberry and popcorn flowers mix with water fowl, rabbits, lizards and misplaced beasts like Ghost, who I last saw loping off toward 19^th Avenue.

Terraced waterfall & cottonwood trees

LENGTH: 2 miles roundtrip

RATING:  easy---rocky, unpaved route

ELEVATION:  1,100’

DOGS:  leashed dogs are allowed only on paved trails

HOURS: sunrise to sunset or 7 p.m. whichever comes first

GETTING THERE:

There are many access points.  I used the 7^th Ave trailhead just south of US 60. Hike west from &th Ave to 19th Ave. 

"Ghost" the feral dog

INFO & MAP:

City of Phoenix, 602-262-6863

Audubon Visitor Center, 602- 468-6470

http://phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/riosalado/index.html

MORE PHOTOS:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3838091369526.1073741826.1795269672&type=1&l=a3eb521f39

RIO SALADO

RIO SALADO HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT Just two miles south of downtown Phoenix, where the Salt River once flowed, a former dumping ground has been transformed into a thriving 595-acre oasis in the desert. With the cooperation of the Army Corps of Engineers, the Flood Control District of Maricopa County and droves of volunteers, tons of waste were cleared out of the Salt River channel and replaced with ponds, waterfalls and tens of thousands of indigenous plant species. Although the 5-mile-long strip of riparian habitat looks as if it occurred naturally, it’s actually a “demonstration wetland” that was created by tapping into the groundwater beneath the river channel and pumping more than 2.65 million gallons of water per day to sustain the habitat. Stretching from 19th Avenue to 16th Street, the project is a work in progress. The Central Avenue gateway is currently the most complete segment and there’s parking, interpretive signage, restrooms and drinking water. Trail segments are organized to feature specific desert habitats such as Cottonwood-Willow, Lower Sonoran, Mesquite Bosque and Palo Verde. Although just a few years old, the plants—which were harvested from seeds or cuttings within a half-mile of the Salt River—are already flourishing and attracting wildlife. Snowy Egrets, raptors, toads and dozens of other species have settled in. Future plans for the project include adding more gateways to access the more than 10 miles of paved and dirt trails and an Audubon Nature Center. LENGTH: about 10 miles of paved and dirt trails are planned. As of 0506, about 3 miles of established trails are open. RATING: easy and informative ELEVATION GAIN: 50 feet GETTING THERE: From Phoenix. Drive south on Central Avenue through downtown. Just past the I-17 underpass, look for the obvious parking area on the leftAlternate routes: From the east Valley, take Highway 60 west and connect to I-17. Exit I-17 at 7th Street. Go south on 7th Street to Broadway Road. Turn right (west) on Broadway Road and continue to Central Avenue. Turn right onto Central Avenue and head north for about 1 mile to the gateway. From the west Valley, take I-10 to I-17 and exit at 7th Avenue. Go south on 7th Avenue to Broadway Road. Turn left (east) onto Broadway Road and go to Central Avenue. Turn left (north) onto Central Avenue and continue for about a mile to the gateway on the right.