Phoenix Sonoran Preserve / Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area

We were fortunate enough to squeeze in two hikes over a recent weekend, neither of which were very strenuous.  On a Saturday we visited the northern area of the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve for a six-mile hike, and the following day we walked 3.9 miles across a portion of the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area downtown near Sky Harbor.

From the Apache Wash Trailhead Saturday morning, we turned left on the Ocotillo Trail to begin a clockwise journey that would loop us through the desert valley before returning us to the trailhead.  At 0.68 miles, we headed north on the Ridgeback Trail. This is a fun little trail featuring a short spur trail to an overlook offering nice views in all directions.

Ridgeback Overlook

The Ridgeback Trail led us to the Sidewinder Trail, on which we headed east before turning south.  At 4.18 miles, I diverted onto the Apache Vista Trail for a quick .51-mile jaunt to a second peak. Returning to the Sidewinder, I was now less than a mile away from the busy trailhead full of hikers and mountain bikers.

Looking down in the direction of the Apache Vista Trail

The Apache Wash Trailhead, like many trailheads in and around Phoenix, is a popular place. There are a fair amount of parking spaces, but to fully enjoy the preserve, I would recommend arriving early. But if you want to sleep in and are worried about finding a place to park, you could head down to the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area. There was one other car at the 16th Street Trailhead when we arrived late Sunday morning, and I quickly began to understand why: the place just doesn't have much to offer, aesthetically or otherwise. The walking path is flat, the Salt River is non-existent, the scenery is industrial, and the airport is busy. The only item of any noteworthiness was the crane we saw in a small pool of water known also as the Salt River. My recommendation for this location: skip it.

Crane at the Salt River

  

Dixie Mountain Loop

Having recently relocated to the desert from the South, the Dixie Mountain Loop sounded like the perfect destination for our Saturday hike. And it sure was. We arrived to a full parking lot at the Desert Vista Trailhead in the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve, a common occurrence at area trails on the weekends, I'm beginning to understand. Fortunately, a few cars were leaving as we were pulling in, so we were happily on the trail without delay.

View from the Dixie Mountain Loop

The Hawk's Nest Trail provides access from the trailhead to the Dixie Mountain Loop. Though it's a steady climb to the junction with the loop trail, it's a gentle grade and serves as a good kick-start for the 5.72-mile hike. The loop trail itself is a pretty easy walk with two short summit spur trails. The Western Vista and Dixie Summit trails are both steep, but at .34 and .22 miles, respectively, you are at the top and enjoying the scenery in a very short time.

Along the Dixie Mountain Loop

Dixie Mountain, as seen from the Western Vista Trail

Reaching the top of Dixie Mountain was, unsurprisingly, the highlight of the day, but the entire hike was superb. Considering the situation we faced in the parking lot, it didn't seem like we encountered a great number of people along the trail. When compared with many of the popular trails around town, the foot traffic here was exceptionally light.

The Western Vista Trail, as seen from Dixie Mountain

We closed the loop and headed back the way we came on the Hawk's Nest Trail to complete another fantastic outing in the warm winter sun. The Dixie Mountain Loop was just what the doctor ordered for this Tennessee transplant with a kidney transplant. Check with your doctor to see if the Dixie Mountain Loop is right for you!

Atop Dixie Mountain