Granite Mountain Trailhead

Hike from the Granite Mountain Trailhead at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (3/1/17)

I hiked approximately 2.5 miles from the Granite Mountain Trailhead in the northern region of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in far north Scottsdale. I went because I was advised a couple weeks ago by a volunteer at the Preserve's Gateway Trailhead that this area had a high density of saguaro cacti - she even called them a forest. I wasn't disappointed on this point. 

I took Bootlegger Trail from the parking area to Saddlehorn Trail on to Granite Mountain Loop Trail north until I reached Bootlegger Trail again, which I eventually took back to the starting trailhead.  Before returning on Bootlegger I followed Granite Mountain  a bit to a scenic view area.  While the view wasn't any more beautiful than those along the trail, this northeast section of Granite Mountain Loop Trail was the highlight of the excursion, offering some nice opportunities to see large amounts of Mexican gold poppies in full bloom. The ever-present granite features were another happy addition to the sublime attraction of the area.

The trail was quite easy - wide with gradual elevation change.  There was very little mud or erosion from the recent heavy rains.  The birding was disappointing, but there were several I eventually identified including house finches, curved-bill thrashers, flickers and maybe a rufous-crowned sparrow. It was a midday hike, so not the best time for photography and maybe desert birding.

There are a lot of yuccas at the beginning of the trail. I'm not used to seeing these in the Sonora Desert. The granite boulders and terrain enhanced the landscape's beauty.

Shortly into the hike, the forest of saguaros appear on the face of Granite Mountain.

The mountains to the east and north had snow from the recent precipitation. The Verde River flows south through that area.

The great height of the cacti never cease to amaze me.

The high Four Peaks Mountains to the southeast had snow and were a steady beacon on the hike.

The trail had a few single Mexican poppies at the beginning, but further up there were wide, lush expanses.

More poppies.

Poppy close-up, with bee. It's good to see their short life is more than just desert decoration.

View of the dense saguaro forest, with single hiker low in the center foreground for perspective.

Saguaro with trail.

View northeast.

More yucca.

Final Saguaro with granite and snow-peaked mountain.