Exploring the Sonoran Desert with the Phoenix Field Guide
Posted on 17-03-2023 01:24 AM
Exploring the Sonoran Desert with the Phoenix Field Guide
Sonoran Desert Field Guide: Exploring Phoenix
Sonoran Desert scenery separates Phoenix from all other major US cities. And the best part? With hiking trails, mountains, and desert adventures all around, it's easy to get in touch with nature.
Sonoran Desert Scenes
It's not uncommon for you to be able to take a photo with saguaro cacti at our iconic desert oasis. There is a veritable forest of saguaros along Dragonfly Trail at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, while around 140 acres of local flora and fauna can be encountered at Desert Botanical Garden, which offers trails with scenic views.
Almost all sides of Phoenix are mountainous, and some are even found inside the city. Thousands of acres of hiking and biking trails traverse the rugged desert peaks of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. Mountain climbers can also tackle the trails at Lost Dutchman State Park in the Superstition Wilderness or climb high on Peralta Trail in Phoenix for views of Weavers Needle.
So, when is the best time to enjoy the Sonoran Desert outdoors? Any of them! The pleasant fall and winter temperatures entice outdoor enthusiasts of all types. Spring brings wildflowers and vibrant cactus blooms to the desert, when the desert comes to life. You may want to skip the trails during the hot summer and cool down instead at Lake Pleasant Regional Park or Lower Salt River.
It's always magical when a desert sunset ends a day in Phoenix, no matter the season. From South Mountain's Dobbins Lookout, accessible via a scenic drive or a 5-mile round-trip hike on Holbert Trail, you can see a panoramic view of downtown. Take advantage of some of the best tableside sunset views in town at Different Pointe of View or El Chorro.
Hiking the Trails
Enjoy a stroll through Papago Park's iconic red buttes to learn more about the Sonoran Desert. The west side has paved pathways, while the east side has interpretive nature trails. Check out the park's popular Hole-in-the-Rock viewpoint for an easy half-mile hike. On the ADA-accessible Kovach Family Nature Trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, you can learn about Sonoran Desert flora and fauna.
Offbeat Adventures
This weekend reminded me how important shared experiences are. Photo by clothandflame. In each of the two dinners we created with our incredible collaborators, we seemed to inspire curiosity, openness, and receptivity.
It was a gathering of a hundred people (twice) where hearty winter dishes, warm cider cocktails, and plenty of acres of wild space served as a backdrop to the magic of new friendships.
It seemed that each ingredient, collaborator, location, dish, and guest adds another reason to enjoy the newness of the event. It is a way to find parts of oneself in the diversity of everyone and everything that shows up.
For the Senators' album release, Cloth & Flame presented the first concert experience ever. Hopefully, we'll be able to explore many more wilderness experiences both onstage and over dinner in the near future.
It is not the only way to discover the Sonoran Desert that involves hiking. Get a taste of off-road ATVing at Arizona Outdoor Fun, where guides lead the way through rugged terrain. Alternatively, you can take a Hummer or Blazer tour of the desert with Stellar Adventures.
Water recreation in the desert? You bet! Lower Salt River in the city's eastern edge is a great place to go kayaking, paddle boarding or rafting all year long. REI Co-op Experiences and 360 Adventures offer floating tours where you can see wild horses, eagles, and other wildlife.
Desert Day Trips
A famous route crossing the Superstition Mountains, located on the eastern edge of Phoenix, offers more unique desert scenery. Along the way, you'll encounter lakes, stunning canyons, and scenic stops such as Goldfield Ghost Town, Theodore Roosevelt Dam, and Tonto National Monument in Phoenix. Tortilla Flat has prickly pear-flavored gelato that's worth a stop.
A new kind of desert awaits you two hours north of Sedona. An eclectic mix of art, the outdoors, boutique shopping, and Sedona's famed energy vortexes characterize this popular cultural community surrounded by a range of stunning red rock formations.
Strobe Sport
2737 E Arizona Biltmore Cir UNIT 28, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phone: (707) 878-7623
https://www.strobesport.com/