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Old 09-15-2007, 10:48 AM
 
Location: Atlanta, GA
1,501 posts, read 5,100,917 times
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I am going to be in Scottsdale in November for a conference, and would like to take a few hours to go on a short hike to see some desert scenery. I have hiked in Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, but have never been south to the Phoenix area. Any suggestions for an easy day hike that is close to the city, but with decent variety and scenery? I'm not looking for a wilderness experience or solitude on this hike, just a cool place to get a feel for the desert in the area.
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Old 09-15-2007, 11:00 AM
 
Location: Somewhere along the path to where I'd like to be.
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Usury Mountain rec area maybe? It's over near Apache Junction.

McDowell Mountain Park perhaps - in Fountain Hills.
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Old 09-15-2007, 11:53 AM
 
235 posts, read 922,638 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by szkutnik View Post
Watch out for the muggers if you decide to go hiking in Scottsdale.
The above statement is silly and should be disregarded. There is a strange group of Scottsdale haters on this site that seem to have an unhealthy obesession and hatred of Scottsdale.

You could check out the Lost Dog traillhead which is located on 124th St. north of Via Linda. Lots of options from there.
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Old 09-15-2007, 12:05 PM
 
2,039 posts, read 6,321,556 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OhioNative View Post
I am going to be in Scottsdale in November for a conference, and would like to take a few hours to go on a short hike to see some desert scenery. I have hiked in Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, but have never been south to the Phoenix area. Any suggestions for an easy day hike that is close to the city, but with decent variety and scenery? I'm not looking for a wilderness experience or solitude on this hike, just a cool place to get a feel for the desert in the area.
Camel Back mountain is an interesting trail.
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Old 09-15-2007, 12:46 PM
 
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This website contains several of my favorite hiking trails in Fountain Hills and Scottsdale areas -> Let's Go! Hiking (http://www.fhtimes.com/letsgo/hikes/index.htm - broken link). Camel Back is nice but can get very crowded.
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Old 09-15-2007, 03:59 PM
 
Location: Inside the 101
2,784 posts, read 7,443,931 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OhioNative View Post
I am going to be in Scottsdale in November for a conference, and would like to take a few hours to go on a short hike to see some desert scenery. I have hiked in Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, but have never been south to the Phoenix area. Any suggestions for an easy day hike that is close to the city, but with decent variety and scenery? I'm not looking for a wilderness experience or solitude on this hike, just a cool place to get a feel for the desert in the area.
It depends on where you'll be in the vary large city of Scottsdale. If you are at the southern end, then the Phoenix Mountains Preserve is the closest option. Camelback Mountain is rigorous. For gentler options, you might try some trails in the Piestewa Peak area.

If you are in North Scottsdale, you might want to hike Pinnacle Peak (http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks/pinnacle/default.asp - broken link) or the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve.asp - broken link). The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy leads guided hikes most weekends.
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Old 09-15-2007, 05:45 PM
 
Location: Chicago
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136th St and then east on Via Linda has some good trails leading up to an overlook of Fountain Hills/Four Peaks.
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Old 09-15-2007, 05:57 PM
 
Location: Atlanta, GA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by silverbear View Post
It depends on where you'll be in the vary large city of Scottsdale. If you are at the southern end, then the Phoenix Mountains Preserve is the closest option. Camelback Mountain is rigorous. For gentler options, you might try some trails in the Piestewa Peak area.

If you are in North Scottsdale, you might want to hike Pinnacle Peak (http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks/pinnacle/default.asp - broken link) or the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve.asp - broken link). The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy leads guided hikes most weekends.
I will be in north Scottsdale, near the Westin Kierland resort.
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Old 09-15-2007, 06:01 PM
 
Location: Chicago
371 posts, read 1,008,205 times
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Originally Posted by OhioNative View Post
I will be in north Scottsdale, near the Westin Kierland resort.
You are at least 10 miles from a 'real' desert hike then.
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Old 09-15-2007, 06:16 PM
 
Location: Inside the 101
2,784 posts, read 7,443,931 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OhioNative View Post
I will be in north Scottsdale, near the Westin Kierland resort.
In that case, your closest hike might actually be Lookout Mountain (http://www.azcentral.com/travel/hiking/trails/10lookout.html - broken link), which is directly west of Kierland via Greenway Road (Bear right when it becomes Greenway Parkway and then head south on 16th St.) A complete loop around the park takes about 90 minutes.

In actuality, from Kierland's location in northeast Phoenix, you're pretty central to all trails mentioned so far, so choose what looks most appealing to you based on length and level of difficulty.
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