Why: We constructed the Bajada Trail for the enjoyment of all — from young children to the elderly, and for those with physical challenges. The half-mile trail exceeds many ADA standards. It offers an innovative, interactive nature experience for those who want to learn more about Arizona’s unique Sonoran Desert.

When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 7 to 10 a.m.

Where: At The Gateway to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
18333 N. Thompson Peak Parkway
(east of Thompson Peak Parkway
between Bell Road and Union Hills Drive.
The formal dedication begins at 8 a.m.)

How: The Bajada Trail was made possible through the generous support of longtime McDowell Sonoran Preserve advocates, the Richard and Christine Kovach Family and the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. For more information, contact the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy at (480) 998-7971.

Printable Bajada Nature trail Invite

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1. Browse Downtown
   The Downtown Scottsdale Arts, Shopping & Entertainment Districts are home to hundreds of designer boutiques, souvenir shops, art galleries and Native American jewelry stores, as well as an outstanding selection of restaurants and bistros. For a free and fun way to get around downtown, hop aboard the Scottsdale Trolley, which will take you to all of downtown districts and Scottsdale Fashion Square.
2. Take a Hike
   There’s no better way to get up-close-and-personal with the Sonoran Desert than with a hike along one of the area’s scenic trails. At the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, you can hike on your own or join one of the regular guided hikes offered by the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. Other popular hiking spots include Camelback Mountain near downtown and Pinnacle Peak Park in North Scottsdale.
3. Summer Concerts in the Park
   Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy a variety of outstanding local bands at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Arrive a little early to enjoy train and carousel rides or to tour the museum.
   • Dates: Every Sunday evening from May 3 through July 5
   • Times: 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
   • Location: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
   • Phone: 480-312-2312
4. Stroll the Thursday Evening ArtWalk
   Every Thursday evening the galleries in the downtown Scottsdale Arts District stay open late and welcome browsers and collectors alike. Exhibit openings, artist receptions and live entertainment are all part of the ArtWalk experience.
   • Dates: Thursday Evenings, year round
   • Times: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
   • Location: Downtown Scottsdale Arts District
   • Phone: 480-421-1004
5. Take a Tour of SMoCA
   The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) offers programs and exhibits to help visitors discover the world of art. Free docent-led tours are offered at SMoCA on Sundays and Thursdays at 1:30. Meet in the museum lobby. Tours also are available by appointment. After your tour at SMoCA, stop by the Young @ Art Gallery located inside the Scottsdale Center For the Performing Arts (immediately adjacent to SMoCA), which is devoted to the creative work of children.
6. Brush Up on Scottsdale’s History
   Learn about Scottsdale’s early days at the 1909 Little Red Schoolhouse, now home to the Scottsdale Historical Museum. The museum chronicles the city’s history with photographs, artifacts and changing displays.
7. Go Green at the Old Town Farmer’s Market
   This fabulous market offers a wide variety of organic and pesticide-free produce. You’ll also find seasonal specialties like cider, apples, flowers, free-range beef and eggs, local cheese, fresh artisan breads, jams, and tamales. Jewelry, photography, handmade gifts, coffee and breakfast to go also are available.
   • Dates: Every Saturday
   • Times: 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
   • Location: Brown Avenue & First Street (southwest corner) in Old Town
   • Phone: 623-848-1234
8. Enjoy a Serenade by Arizona’s Singing Cowboy
   Cowboy singer and raconteur Gary Sprague and his trusty steed Dusty entertain Old Town shoppers with Western songs and local folklore. Gary rides throughout Old Town and concludes his performance with a ride into the Rusty Spur Saloon.
   • Dates: Every Saturday & Sunday
   • Times: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
   • Location: Old Town Scottsdale
9. Kierland Commons Summer Concert Series
   Some of Arizona’s hottest bands will entertain every Saturday evening in the center plaza at the Kierland Commons. Before the concert, browse the upscale shops or enjoy dinner at one Kierland Commons’ outstanding restaurants.
   • Dates: Every Saturday evening from June 6 through July 31 (no concert on July 4)
   • Times: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
   • Location: Kierland Commons Center Plaza
   • Phone: 480-348-1577
10. Enjoy NU at the Heard Museum
    On the third Friday of each month, the Heard Museum offers a new series called NU (Native + You). Visitors can enjoy the museum, outdoor courtyards, Arcadia Farms Café, Berlin Gallery and Shop while enjoying dining, cash bars, a lounge, local bands, DJs and salons with contemporary artists.
    • Dates: Third Friday of every month
    • Times: 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
    • Location: Heard Museum
    • Phone: 602-252-8848

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This full day journey starts off with a pleasant gradual downhill hike towards the canyon with the breathtaking Sonoran Desert scenery ahead. The following next few hours was a true treat canyoneering through Salome Canyon as we waded and swam through most of the canyon with 360 degrees of spectacular views within the canyon itself. Some of my highlights were the rockslides, repelling down a 40′ cliff, and cliff jumping from 30′+ high cliffs.  The final leg of canyoneering is the hike back up where delicious food awaits. Although it might be hot to hike during the summer heat, the water is a really cool 70-75 degrees which feels great.

If you are looking for some exercise this is a true test to your body as it works out both your upper and lower body, but is completely worth it at the end!

360 Adventures also offers other half/full, single/multi day adventures at very affordable prices such as rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and team building.

Here are some photos from our adventure:

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Winter in the Sonoran Desert brings its own set of natural wonders. Sunny, warm days and clear, crisp nights mean animals are more active and visible. Occasional winter rains bring new sprouts to creosote bushes and other plant life. And, late in the season, desert wildflowers such as lupines and owl-clover begin to show their colors. All in all, it’s the perfect time for a hike! Here are a few tips to help you explore Scottsdale’s beautiful Sonoran Desert on foot this winter:

Stay hydrated. Even on mild winter days, be sure to bring and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. For longer hikes, also pack some healthy snacks to keep you fortified.

Hike only on marked trails. Not only will this protect the desert’s delicate ecosystem, but it also will help minimize the chances of painful human-and-cactus encounters. Click here to a list of Scottsdale’s most popular hiking trails.

Share the trail. Many of Scottsdale’s public trails are designated as shared-use paths for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. The universal rule of trail courtesy is for all trail users to yield right-of-way to horses and for cyclists to yield to all other types of users.

Admire desert wildlife from a distance. Desert creatures are wary of humans, so if you are lucky enough to spot a javelina, coyote or covey of quail, resist the temptation to get too close as you may frighten them away. It’s also good to keep in mind that although most desert animals don’t pose a threat the humans, some, like rattlesnakes, are poisonous and others can cause serious injury if they feel cornered or threatened.

Leave it as you found it. Removing anything from the desert disrupts the habitats of plants and animals, since most rocks and wood provide shade and shelter for tiny plants and creatures. It also is against the law to take away any natural or cultural objects from public or private land without the permission of the owner.

Don’t hike alone. It’s safer and more fun to hike with a friend! It’s also wise to tell someone where you will be hiking and when you expect to return.

Practice “Leave No Trace” exploration. Be sure to carry out everything that you carry in – take only pictures, leave only footprints!

And, the most important tip of all – have fun! The Sonoran Desert is yours to enjoy, so get out and explore!

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We have an urgent question about snakes from a very nice woman who is coming to Scottsdale in a matter of days. So, no dilly-dallying this month – let’s jump right in and try to put her mind at ease.

Kay H. of Kansas City, Missouri, writes:

We are planning a trip to the Scottsdale area and would love to take some of the desert hikes I have been reading about on your Web site. However, I am afraid of snakes. What is the likelihood of coming across one (and what kind do you have) on the trails?

The good news about snakes is that they don’t want to encounter humans any more than we want to encounter them! Snakes also typically avoid open spaces (like trails) that would leave them vulnerable to predators. While it is possible that you might see a snake during your hike, the chances are fairly slim, particularly if you stay on clearly marked trails.

As for the types of snakes that live in the Sonoran Desert, there are quite a few, ranging from garter snakes, coachwhips, rosy boas and kingsnakes to the more infamous coral and rattle snakes. We’re actually quite lucky (really, we are!) to have a wide variety of snakes living in the desert because they are natural predators of a host of other animals (such as rats and mice) that cause plant damage and can carry diseases. Now, this probably won’t make you feel all warm and fuzzy about snakes, but consider giving the little guys a break – they’re very important to the desert ecosystem!

Here are a few tips for avoiding our reptilian neighbors while you’re hiking:

• Stay on marked trails at all times.
• As you walk, scan the trail in front of you to make sure it is free of snakes and other obstacles.
• Wear close-toed shoes or hiking boots (no sandals)
• Identify everything before you pick it up – if you can’t identify it, don’t pick it up.
• Don’t place your hand, foot or other body part anywhere that you can’t see (snakes are more likely to be seeking shelter in holes and under rocks and brush than they are to be sitting out in the open)
• Don’t pick-up or step on rocks, branches, tree stumps, etc. without checking around them.

Last but not least, a couple of non-snake-related tips for hiking in the desert – always carry plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, a cell phone and, last but not least, a camera to capture all the beautiful scenery!

See you next month!

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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.”

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