Hiking Trails Near Scottsdale Arizona Gated Communities

Scottsdale is known for its hiking. In fact there are approximately 58 miles of bike paths and 40 miles of riding and hiking trails in Scottsdale! Many of the trails are in preserves and open spaces and require a short drive, making it a great activity for couples and families alike.

Located in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale is the landmark known as Tom’s Thumb. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to hike Tom Thumb’s Trail, one of the more notable hikes which can be seen from Sereno Canyon. In fact, the trail head is less than a mile from the Arizona gated community.

The trail makes for a fine day hike in the beautiful, lush Sonoran desert. It begins in an area known as the Catacombs where you can see breathtaking boulder formations. As you make your way to the top, the views are amazing. You can see the Superstition Mountains, Four Peaks and White Tank Mountains during the course of the hike. To the north of the Thumb, you can find a small alcove known as The Ogre’s Den. It has artwork painted on the walls from earlier local residents and is truly a unique sight. The trail continues to gain in altitude until reaching its final elevation of 3,925 feet! The highest peak in the McDowell’s is East End Peak, at 4,200 feet.

The wildlife that inhabits the area includes Coyotes, Gila Monsters, Javelinas, Desert Tortoises and Diamondback Rattlesnakes. While most of these critters like their privacy, keep a cautious eye out for sightings of any of these animals and keep your distance as much as possible. Smaller, less threatening, animals that can be seen on the trail include lizards, birds and cottontails. Plants that inhabit the area include Palo Verde, Mesquite, Acacia and Ironwood as well as Saguaro, Ocotillo and Barrel Cactus.

I made my descent to the end of the trail and stopped to check out some information about the rest of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Adjacent to Sereno Canyon, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve consists of 19,940 acres of open space. It was established in the 1990s and is currently home to 15 hiking trails. Plans are in place to gradually have a total of 36,000 acres of open space within the preserve.

In June 2008 construction began on the Gateway Access Center, an improved parking and picnic area located at Thompson Peak Parkway and Bell Road. The Gateway Access Center will also be home to the planned Desert Discover Center, a facility dedicated to preservation and education of desert wildlife and eco-systems.

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve and all its offerings are just steps away from Sereno Canyon, one of Scottsdale Arizona’s last gated communities offering estate-sized custom homesites. With more than half of the community remaining open space, you’ll have the beautiful Scottsdale desert mountain landscape within the comfort of your backyard.

Tags: arizona gated communities, gated communities in arizona, Scottsdale Real Estate, sereno canyon, tom thumbs trail