Get off beaten track and see the desert’s beauty
Don’t be fooled by Scottsdale’s laid-back vibe
There is no image of the American West more defining than the towering Saguaro cactus.
In light of its stature and longevity — some grow to be 200 years old — it seems almost unbecoming to be on gift shop T-shirts and fridge magnets. But the ubiquitous depiction is really a tribute to a plant that grows everywhere in Arizona but nowhere outside of the Sonoran Desert.
Some might say it’s also a fitting symbol of Arizonans themselves — a hardy bunch thriving in often unfavourable conditions. Temperatures range from about 20 C in winter but can soar to 40 C in summer months while only averaging 22 centimetres of rain a year.
In Scottsdale, residents have learned to cope by getting up early and staying out late to enjoy all the city has to offer. And they have some advice for Canadian travellers: This isn’t your grandparents’ Arizona.
Active is the key word in this community northeast of Phoenix. While you could spend a week lounging by a pool or golfing a different course daily, you’d be missing out on plenty. Scottsdale’s reputation for luxury resorts, golf courses and spas is well-earned. But if you wander off the beaten path just a bit, you’ll find a whole other world waiting to be explored.
And this one requires a real sense of adventure, and some sturdy shoes. Give in and see Scottsdale from the seat of a bike, a boat, a saddle or even a basket if you’re brave enough.
HIKING IN THE MCDOWELL SONORAN PRESERVE
Lace up your hiking boots and head to the 30,500-acre (12,500-hectare) Mcdowell Sonoran Preserve. Here, five main trailheads connect to more than 320 kilometres of trails through the hills.
The parking lot can be packed early in the day with many locals doing the Gateway Loop before work but there’s plenty of space for all. Views of Scottsdale from the top are worth the effort to get there and there’s never a shortage of cacti to photograph — including the state’s famous
If you wander off the beaten path just a bit (in Scottsdale), you’ll find a whole other world waiting to be explored.
Saguaro cactus. Just watch out for the teddy bear cholla, which may look and sound cute but has quite the bite when it attaches on as you brush by.
Other popular hikes include the relatively short and easy Pinnacle Peak near the five-star Four Seasons Resort and the more arduous Camelback Mountain in nearby Paradise Valley.