McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale, Arizona. Great hiking just a short distant away!
For the hiking enthusiast, these 30 thousand acres are amazing, right here in Scottsdale!
I had heard so much about the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (located at: 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. (617) 724-3466) from my friends that I finally decided to visit the place last summer. And it was probably the best decision I took in a while. Being a solo traveler and a hiking enthusiast, this place gave me one of my most memorable experiences. Believe it or not, this place stretches across more than 30,000 acres! I was so happy to be walking around, exploring serenity, and the natural wonders of the preserve.
Hiking Trails To My Rescue
There is nothing that fascinates me more than hiking trails. To my surprise, this place had more than 220 odd miles of trails for us to walk. On my visit to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, I befriended another fellow traveler Sam. We were hiking partners for the rest of the journey. He knew about the exceedingly long hiking trails in the preserve and had brought two additional bottles of water with him. Thank God I found Sam, for my water bottle was empty halfway through the hike. Sam told me it was always better to be here during winters because the weather is pleasant for hiking then.
Amidst All The Flora And Fauna
Another thing I noticed while we were on the preserve is the vibrant animal life surrounding us. Since it was still morning, I got lucky enough to see a variety of fauna among the trails. I got so excited and fascinated by everything that I started running a little. I would not recommend that to anyone who is planning to visit the preserve. If it hadn’t been for Sam, I would have skinned my knees running on a rocky trail like that. Along the way, we found more than fifteen places that educate you about the surrounding wildlife and the ecosystem. We were told to be cautious since it was in the month of March, and all the snakes during this season emerge out of their hibernation.
Finding Our Own Paths
Although Sam had studied extensively about the place, he had never been here before. But we still managed to find our ways quite easily, thanks to the well-maintained and informative maps hanging around everywhere. We had the choice to change our trails every once in a while, and we kept choosing the one with more wildlife in it. This was probably the best hiking trip I have ever been to. The fact that all the trails were marked as easy or advanced made it easier for everyone who came here. When we reached the Ring Tail trail, we got a glimpse of the entire city, and it was an incredible view. It wasn’t long after we arrived at the ring tail trail and we all could hear a train in the distance. Sam said it was probably coming from the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale.
An Escape From The City Hustle
Nothing refreshes me better than some fresh air and greenery. This preserve took the joy of my vacation to the next level. They had terrific facilities, and the area was so well-kept that I had no regrets after coming back home. The restrooms were clean and conveniently placed, and that came as a huge relief to me. And guess what? I went horse riding here, too! Yes, they had such beautiful horses that I couldn’t resist my urge. We spotted people going for mountain biking in the area as well. I was so exhausted with the city life, and this was a refreshing escape from everything. Thanks, McDowell Sonoran Preserve!