Old Town Scottsdale Everything from Dining, Nightlife to What to Do
Fall is one of the best times of the year in Scottsdale and the Valley. The skies are generally clear and sunny, and the temperatures average in the 70s. Now that it’s cooled off, it’s time to get outside, enjoy the weather and get a little exercise and what better way than going for a hike.
National Geographic named Phoenix as one of the top 10 cities to hike, and there’s no better time to discover why than right now. The Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers three trails with an enhanced level of accessibility. With convenient and barrier-free access from three of our major trailheads, these trails are designed for all to enjoy. Interactive exhibits enhance the experience by revealing intriguing stories of our desert.
“KOVACH FAMILY NATURE TRAIL” – LOST DOG WASH TRAILHEAD
Address: 12601 N. 124th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85259
Trail Description: On this trail, you will learn about some interesting features of nature’s families in the Sonoran Desert. You will discover how different families and the members within each family depend on one another for their well-being and survival. This community of plants and animals, along with the geological features and local human history, make this a special area in Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Trail Length: From the accessible parking, it is roughly 0.1 mile to the start of the Kovach Family Nature Trail. The access route is comprised of sections of asphalt, concrete, and stabilized decomposed granite and meets accessibility standards. Once at the start of the trail, you will see a welcome station with a sign that displays your choice of two loops, each of which is roughly 0.25 miles in length.
Trail Surface: 100% of the trail surface is hard. The majority is surfaced with stabilized decomposed granite, with some sections of concrete. There are two very short trail bridges made of metal grating that meets accessibility standards. There is also one concrete-surfaced access ramp that meets accessibility standards.
Typical Tread Width: The typical width of the trail tread is 80”, with a minimum width of 53”.
Typical Grade: The average grade is 3.0% and the maximum is 5.7%
Typical Cross Slope: The typical cross slope is 1% or less.
Accessible Trailhead Amenities: Parking, restrooms, shade ramadas, water, directional and interpretive signage, Kovach Family Nature Trail.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE: KOVACH FAMILY NATURE TRAIL
“BAJADA NATURE TRAIL” – GATEWAY TRAILHEAD
Address 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Trail Description: The Bajada Nature Trail was constructed for the enjoyment of all — from young children to the elderly, and for those with physical challenges. The trail is a celebration of this particularly significant habitat, and an opportunity for people who have never dreamed they could enjoy an outdoor experience in the Preserve to experience the wonders of the desert. Children and seniors, visitors who are visually impaired and those who are hearing-impaired, people using wheelchairs and those with walkers will join their neighbors who regularly access the Preserve to experience the amenities this trail offers. The Bajada Nature Trail offers an innovative, interactive nature experience for those who want to learn more about Arizona’s unique Sonoran Desert.
Trail Length: From the accessible parking, it is roughly 0.15 miles to the start of the Bajada Nature Trail. The access route is comprised of sections of asphalt, concrete, and stabilized decomposed granite and meets accessibility standards. Once at the start of the trail, you will see a welcome station with a sign that displays a map of the trail. From this point, the Bajada Trail is approximately 0.5 miles in total length, with a connector trail across the center of the loop. So, you can experience a shorter 0.25 mile long loop, or the longer 0.5 mile long loop.
Trail Surface: 100% of the trail surface is hard and surfaced with stabilized decomposed granite.
Typical Tread Width: The typical width of the trail tread is 96”, with a minimum width of 72”.
Typical Grade: The average grade is 3.0%.
Typical Cross Slope: The typical cross slope is 1% or less.
Accessible Trailhead Amenities: The largest of the Preserve’s trailheads includes accessible parking, restrooms, shade ramadas, water, directional and interpretive signage, Bajada Nature Trail
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE: BAJADA NATURE TRAIL
“JANE RAU TRAIL” – BROWN’S RANCH TRAILHEAD
Address: 30301 N. Alma School Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Trail Description: The Jane Rau Trail provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the diverse plants, rock outcrops, and scenic views of the Brown’s Ranch area of the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The trail is named in honor of Jane Rau, a community activist, educator, preserve steward, and leader known for her work to establish Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The trail is located in an area of undulating topography and was constructed to meet the 2013 US Forest Service trail accessibility standards. As the details below describe, some of the grades along the trail are in the higher range of what is typical for accessible trails.
Trail Length: From the accessible parking, it is roughly 400’ to the start of the Jane Rau Trail. The access route is comprised of sections of asphalt, concrete, and stabilized decomposed granite and meets accessibility standards. Once at the start of the trail, you will see a welcome station with a sign that displays a map of the trail. From this point, the Jane Rau Trail travels 300’ to the east to where the trail loop begins. The distance around the loop is approximately 0.4 miles.
Trail Surface: 100% of the trail surface is hard and surfaced with stabilized decomposed granite. The majority is surfaced with stabilized decomposed granite, with two very short, and one roughly 30’ trail bridge made of metal grating that meets accessibility standards.
Typical Tread Width: The typical width of the trail tread is 80”, with a minimum width of 53”.
Typical Grade: The average grade is 4.8%, with a max grade of 11.0%. Thirty-seven percent of the trail is between 6% and 8.3%, and 279’ of the trail is between 9% and 11.0%.
Typical Cross Slope: The typical cross slope is 2.5%, with a max of 6.0%. Thirty-five percent of the trail has a cross slope of 4% to 6%.
Accessible Trailhead Amenities: Parking, restrooms, shade ramadas, directional and interpretive signage, water, accessible Jane Rau Nature Trail
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE: JANE RAU TRAIL
EXPLORE EVEN MORE TRAILS
Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers an array of fabulous desert trails and award-winning facilities. The Preserve is unique geologically and home to stunning geography, lush cacti forests and diverse wildlife. Now is a great time to explore the 30,500 acres of Sonoran Desert. Choose any of the five major trailheads to connect to more than 215 miles of trails of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
SOUTHERN REGION
- Lookout Viewpoint(5.1 mi. / 1000 ft. elevation gain)
- Tom’s Thumb/East End Loop(11.1 mi. / 2500 ft. elevation gain)
- Marcus Landslide(3.7 mi. / 300 ft. elevation gain)
- Kovach Family Nature Trail(0.5 mi. / 0 ft. elevation gain)
- Ringtail Trail(2.4 mi. / 250 ft. elevation gain)
- Taliesin Overlook(4 mi. / 350 ft. elevation gain)
- Sunrise Trail East(4 mi. / 1150 ft. elevation gain)
- Old Jeep Trail(4.1 mi. / 450 ft. elevation gain)
- Horseshoe Loop(1.7 mi. / 100 ft. elevation gain)
- Bajada Nature Trail(0.5 mi. / 0 ft. elevation gain)
- Gateway Loop(4.5 mi. / 650 ft. elevation gain)
CENTRAL REGION
- Lookout Viewpoint(5.1 mi. / 1000 ft. elevation gain)
- Tom’s Thumb/East End Loop(11.1 mi. / 2500 ft. elevation gain)
- Marcus Landslide(3.7 mi. / 300 ft. elevation gain)
NORTHERN REGION
FRAESFIELD TRAILHEAD TRAILHEAD
