Hike #16 - Quartz Trail, McDowell Mountains Scottsdale AZ

Hike #16

Date: March 28th
Hikers: Me & Jim

Location: Scottsdale AZ
Distance: Less 5 miles
Rating: Easy
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes


Link:http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve/trailheads

We have hiked most of the Scottsdale McDowells at this point.  However we have not done the Quartz Trail.  Not to be confused with the Quartz Trail at Piestewa Peak.  This trailhead is located in the McDowell Mountain Ranch development.  The trailhead parking is across the street from the trail off 102nd street and Mountain Ranch Road.

The Trail is a 9.5 mile out and back hike.  Today we are going to hike to the Talisan Trailhead and turn around. For about a 5 mile hike.

Lots of parking.  No water though.  The trees are all in full bloom. Especially the yellow ones.  ACHOOO. Don't even know their name because I don't want to know their name.


Cross the street and see the trailhead that runs along the road for 1/8th of a mile then down into the wash.

This hike is between two neighborhoods.  You walk in the wash and along some houses before you travel up into the McDowells.  There were a few people.  Few bikes but otherwise pretty quiet.

We walked under the street to continue up the trail.  The signs are well marked.  Seems like more neighborhood biking people use this trail.

 The cactus is starting to bloom. They are beautiful.  The morning is a little crisp. Low 60's but the sweatshirt comes off quickly.

 The view from out turnaround spot.  At 2.4 marker.  After this you will head towards Quartz Knob for another 2.5 miles to the end of the trail.  I will come back another day to do the 9 miles.

 The View of the McDowells after our hike.  It is a beautiful day in the valley of the sun!

It was a nice hike.  Jim and I enjoyed talking about our Fitbit war we had going on this week.  He is my rabbit right now.  He does a lot of steps at work.  He is forcing me to getup and take breaks at work!!  It is fun to challenge each other with the fitbit app. 

My ending temperature at 9:00 am. But look at the high for today.  97!! Yeah Baby!  Summer is just around the corner.  Forgot to shut off my Hike app as we chatted by the car.  A little over 1 hour hike.  

Hike #16! 

Done!