Hike #29 - Scenic Trail - McDowell Mountain Regional Park - Fountain Hills AZ

Hike #29

Date: April 6, 2014 

Location: Fountain Hills AZ

Hikers: Me & Jim

Directions:  
101 to Shea Blvd to Palisades. Take left on Palisades. Follow towards town. Take left on to N Saguaro Blv. This will turn into East McDowell Mountain Road.  Turn left into the Park.  $6 entrance unless you have the County park pass. Water and Restrooms. 

McDowell Regional County Park: 

https://www.maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell/ or
https://www.maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell/pdf/2014/mcdowell-8x11.pdf

Today is a mystery hike.  We are back at the McDowell Mountain Regional park but we are at the main entrance.  I have looked at the map and circled a couple hikes.  I am relying on Jim to pick the hike because he has been here before.  He suggested the Scenic Trail which is one I had circled.  It will be about 4.5 miles. We are taking the trail to the south and then will hit the Pemberton trail to get back to the parking lot.

The Trail Expert

 There is a very nice restroom and pavillon area here.  Lots of mountain bikers. The Pemberton trail is a 15 mile loop that is very popular with the bikers.






The trail starts out very flat.  It is quite different from the West side of the McDowells. Flat and has rolling hills.  Very pretty.

 We stopped for some bikers.  We thought they were talking about Beer but they said they were talking about Geers.
This rock structure was in an open area.  Witchery!! Jim told me what this is. I can't remember though.

We hit a junction and continued up a hill on the Scenic trail. 

Our view was amazing. It is very different from what we are normally see.

This was the sunrise to the east.  This is 4 Peaks to the East.

At the top of the hill there was a bench.  Jim joked that we needed someone to poise.  I told him to strike a pose. He said...you won't put this on your blog.  I said SNICKER...of Course Not. :) He will do anything!!

A Small Cairn at the top of the hill in the middle of the field.

 Oh Look Another Bench at the end of the Hill!  Jim - Strike a pose.  

Beautiful shot to the West. You can see Marcus Landslide from here. 

This is the intersection of the Pemberton trail.  You can see a couple bikers heading out on the trail.  We will take this trail back to the parking lot.

 Alot more people since we started the hike.  Mostly bikers!  This was a nice hike. I enjoyed the scenery and the company.  Last hike of the 20's.  30's here we come! 

Hike #29 - Check it off!