Get Out & Explore!
by JoAnne Zeterberg on October 1, 2006 in Things To Do |
It’s official – fall arrived in the Sonoran Desert at 9:03 p.m. on September 23! With daytime highs in the mid- to upper-80s, this is the perfect season for exploring Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Hiking: A multitude of trails in the Scottsdale area offers hikers unparalleled access to the pristine Sonoran Desert. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve and McDowell Mountain Regional Park both offer scenic trails for hikers of all skill levels. Other options in and around the city include Camelback Mountain, Pinnacle Peak Park and the Superstition Wilderness Area.
- Horseback Riding: Explore the desert like Arizona’s first cowboys did – from the back of a horse! From your vantage point high in the saddle, you’ll see exotic cacti, rolling desert foothills and crystalline streams.
- Off-road Jeep & Hummer Tours: As you travel the rocky trails through the Sonoran Desert, your guide will provide entertaining stories of the Old West, as well as fascinating information about the plants and animals that make up the desert ecosystem. For a different take on the daytime tour, venture out on a nighttime Hummer excursion. State-of-the-art night-vision goggles will help you see the animals and insects that roam the desert after dark.
- Mountain Biking & Rock Climbing: To get your adrenaline really pumping, tackle technical single track on a mountain bike or try your hand at recreational rock climbing. Our local outfitters are ready and able to show you the adventurous side of Scottsdale!
- Hot Air Ballooning: Savor the quiet beauty of the Sonoran Desert from the gondola of a hot air balloon. As you glide peacefully through the early morning sky, you can watch the desert come to life.
- River Rafting: The Salt and Verde rivers near Scottsdale provide bountiful opportunities for a relaxing rafting excursion. Watch the river banks carefully as you float by and you’ll see a variety of desert wildlife including herons, hawks and eagles, and occasionally larger species such as coyotes, wild horses, javelina and deer.
- Desert Botanical Garden: If you’d like to learn about the Sonoran Desert, but don’t want to head out into the wilderness, visit the Desert Botanical Garden. Paved pathways wind gently throughout the park, giving you up-close-and-personal views of the desert’s abundant plant life. The Garden also offers seasonal outdoor concerts featuring some of the area’s most talented musicians.
Now, for this month’s question: What are you waiting for? Get out and explore the magnificent Sonoran Desert! All we ask in return is that you practice “Leave No Trace” exploration. Please carry out everything you carry in, and remember to “Take only pictures. Leave only footprints.”
