The Sonoran Desert Field Guide: A Guide to Exploring Phoenix
Posted on 17-03-2023 01:27 AM
The Sonoran Desert Field Guide: A Guide to Exploring Phoenix
Visiting the Sonoran Desert from Phoenix: A Field Guide
Its breathtaking Sonoran Desert scenery sets it apart from the rest of the country. And the best part? There are countless hiking trails, mountains, and desert adventures all around us, so we can easily step into the wild.
Sonoran Desert Scenes
Saguaros are one of our most iconic cactuses, and they're happy to pose for pictures if you're looking to get up close and personal. During your hike, you can find a jungle of saguaro trees along Dragonfly Trail at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. The Desert Botanical Garden offers walking paths throughout 140 acres of local plants and animals.
A mountain surrounds Phoenix on every side, and some are even within the city. Thousands of acres of hiking and biking trails wind through rugged desert scenery within the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. In the East Superstition Wilderness, you can hike the Lost Dutchman State Park trails or climb high for views of the Weavers Needle on the Peralta Trail.
So, what is the best season to enjoy the Sonoran Desert outdoors? Any of them! During the fall and winter, pleasant temperatures entice outdoor enthusiasts to get outside. It's wildflower season in the desert in the spring, when you can find a rainbow of petal colors and vibrant blooms on the cactus plants. Instead of hiking during the hot summer months, head to Lake Pleasant Regional Park or the Lower Salt River for water adventures.
It's always magical when a desert sunset ends a day in Phoenix, no matter the season. A scenic drive or a five-mile hike on Holbert Trail on South Mountain will offer a view of downtown. The best tableside sunset views in town can be found on the patio at Different Pointe of View or El Chorro.
Hiking the Trails
Explore Papago Park's red buttes while getting acquainted with the Sonoran Desert. There is an accessible, paved pathway on the west side and an interpretive nature trail on the east side of the park. Visit Hole-in-the-Rock viewpoint, a popular half-mile hike in the park. A Kovach Family Nature Trail is also accessible to those with mobility limitations in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Offbeat Adventures
I was reminded of the value of shared experiences this weekend by a photo taken by user clothandflame. I was impressed by how curious, open, and receptive everyone was at our two community dinners (alongside so many incredible collaborators).
Around 100 people gathered (twice) around long tables full of hearty winter dishes, warm cider cocktails, and plenty of room to slow down and enjoy newfound friends.
Ingredients, collaborators, locations, dishes, and guests all seemed to add to the novelty of the situation. In the diversity of every single person and everything that happened to show up, one could find pieces of oneself.
Our Cloth & Flame event also celebrated the release of the new Senators album with the first-ever concert experience. Our team is excited to explore even more wilderness experiences, both on stage and in the kitchen.
A hike in the Sonoran Desert is not the only way to explore it. Get on four wheels with Arizona Outdoor Fun's off-road ATV experience, where guides lead the charge through rugged terrain. With Stellar Adventures, you can explore the desert in an Hummingbird or Blazer.
Water recreation in the desert? You bet! On the eastern edge of the city, the Lower Salt River in Phoenixis a popular place for stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, and rafting. With outfitters like REI Co-op Experiences and 360 Adventures, you can enjoy floating tours where you can see wild horses, eagles, and other wildlife.
Desert Day Trips
The Apache Trail, which runs through the Superstition Mountains on Phoenix's eastern edge, is a historic route which offers unique desert scenery. During your journey you'll pass lakes, stunning canyons, and scenic stops including Goldfield Ghost Town, Theodore Roosevelt Dam, and Tonto National Monument's cliffside dwellings. For prickly pear gelato, stop by Tortilla Flat in the Old West.
A new kind of desert awaits you two hours north of Sedona. Sedona is world-famous for its energy vortexes, beautiful red rock formations, outdoor activities, and boutique shopping.
Strobe Sport
2737 E Arizona Biltmore Cir UNIT 28, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phone: (707) 878-7623
https://www.strobesport.com/