BOOTLEGGER LOOP
WILDFLOWERS on the BOOTLEGGER TRAIL
McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale
 |
| Bootlegger Trail |
Despite abundant winter rains and mild
temperatures that raised our expectations for a banner wildflower
season, this year's showing of desert blooms has turned out to be a
more low-key event. The hype may have fizzled, but there are still
plenty of flowering plants to enjoy along Valley trails.
One of the best places to observe a
wide variety of specimens is in the far east side of the McDowell
Sonoran Preserve. In this area of desert, wildflowers thrive best
among boulder outcroppings on the flanks of Granite Mountain
where
precious bits of shade and trapped moisture nurse blooms to fruition.
When the elements dole out perfect measures of rain, warmth and
sunlight, poppies and lupines paint the desert floor in blazing
shades of purple and orange. This spectacular but rare event is
beautiful to behold but, there's also joy in spotting a lone poppy or
colorful patch of brittlebush during less productive seasons.
On a recent hike along the Bootlegger
Trail, I compiled a list of wildflowers we observed. There were many
bloomers, but you'll have to stay alert to see them. Are you up for a
scavenger hunt? Here's a partial list. Happy hunting!
1. Lacepod
2. Mexican Gold Poppy
3. Desert Chicory
4. Desert Wishbone
5. Desert Rock Pea
6. Scorpionweed
7. Filaree (Stork's Bill)
8. Desert Lavender
9. Popcorn Flower
10. Fiddleneck
THE HIKE:
From the Granite Mountain
Trailhead, hike 1.3 miles on Bootlegger Trail. Head right on Granite
Mountain Loop and continue 1.1 miles to Coyote Canyon Trail. Turn
right and hike 1.3 miles (note the crested saguaro at the 0.8-mile
point) to Dove Valley Trail. Veer right and go 1 mile to 136th St.
Express and follow it 1.3 miles back to the trailhead.
LENGTH: 6-mile loop
RATING: easy
ELEVATION: 2,415' � 2,822'
GETTING THERE:
Granite Mountain Trailhead,
31402 N. 136th
St. Scottsdale.
From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, take the
Princess/Pima exit #36 and go 6.5 miles north on Pima to Dynamite
Blvd./Rio Verde Dr. Turn right and continue 5.9 miles to 136th
St., turn left and go 1.8 miles to the trailhead on the left.
Trailhead is open sunrise to sunset. No facilities.
INFO & MAPS: McDowell
Sonoran Preserve
MORE PHOTOS:
Comments
Post a Comment