As of July, 2011, the Sonoran Preserve in north Phoenix has grown to more than 7,000 acres. Purchased with voter approved funds and state grants, the new preserve has added a whole new element to the city's expansive desert preserves.
Much of the Sonoran Preserve is located in the transition zone to the Arizona Upland subdivision of the Sonoran Desert, which has higher amounts of rainfall per year (up to 12.5 inches per year). This increases both the lushness and diversity of plant life. South Mountain, Camelback Mountain and Squaw Peak, on the other hand, are located in the Lower Colorado River Valley, the largest and most arid subdivision of the Sonoran Desert. With only 7.5 inches of rainfall a year, vegetation in these areas is sparser and less varied.
Beginning in early 2010, the city and a trails contractor constructed 7 miles of new trails in the western section of the preserve. 5 different trails were constructed; Dixie Mountain Loop at 3.82 miles, Bobcat trail at 1.53 miles, Dixie Mountain Summit trail at .22 miles, Western Vista Trail at .34 miles, and Hawk’s Nest Trail at .4 miles. This last trail connects a new trailhead parking lot to Dixie Mountain Loop. All trails provide excellent opportunities to explore the Sonoran Preserve, and to enjoy the views of the mountains north of Phoenix.
In 2011, another round of trail construction began from the existing Sonoran Trail system, probing further into the preserve. An expansive circumference trail named Great Horned Owl was constructed around Union Hills Peak at 3.12 miles. On the north side, a summit trail named Union Hills Peak at .45 miles traverses the entire top ridge from north to south. From the summit, excellent views are to be had into Cave Buttes, Scottsdale and Phoenix at 2,284 ft.
Another new trail, Desert Tortoise, takes off from Hawk’s Nest Trail at its halfway point. This trail skirts the western and southern edge of the Sonoran Preserve and takes you into the interior. Desert Tortoise is 1.13 miles in length and meanders through hills, washes and a flat expanse of easy trail towards its eastern end.
At the Desert Tortoise and Valle Vista trail junction, one can now access the original Sonoran Trail system by hiking north on Valle Vista which connects with the Dixie Mountain loop trail. If heading south, one can explore the northern outer loop trail named Cactus Wren. Cactus Wren is 1.41 miles in length and covers the northern section of Union Hills Peak. Eventually this trail connects with Great Horned Owl trail on its eastern flanks. If one heads north on Valle Vista (2.32 miles in length) a connection can be made with Great Horned Owl trail on the south. Great Horned Owl will take you around Union Hills Peak into quiet washes and steep slopes; all with breathtaking vistas.
Purchased with voter approved funds and state grants, the Sonoran Preserve adds a whole new element to the city's vaunted desert preserve system. With new trails built and more on the way, it's now easy to explore this beautiful area. The Master Plan link above provides a detailed look into the long-term plans for this important new desert preserve area.
The land in the new preserve is unique.
The Parks and Preserve Initiative was reauthorized by 83 percent of Phoenix voters in May 2008. It authorized the continuation of a modest sales tax for a 30-year period to purchase thousands of acres of state trust land and to fund construction of and improvements to regional, neighborhood and community parks. The public lands purchased were reclassified for conservation through the API, established by the Governor and Legislature in 1996. Voters passed Growing Smarter in 1998 to fund the matching grant provision of the API through 2012.
For general information: 602 262-7901.