Indian Bend Trail from East Shea Boulevard

Saguaro Loop and Nature Trail is a loop trail located near Scottsdale, Arizona.

Starting at 1800 ft elevation, the trail begins at Gateway Loop. This part of the trail will start off pretty flat and be more crowded than Bell's Pass depending on the day and time you are hiking. If you enjoy running this would be the time to do it before you reach Bell's Pass and the incline in elevation begins. Along this path on the right will be Scottsdale on the left the mountainside. Ab...

The Gateway Trailhead is one access point into the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in Scottsdale and is my favorite “Gateway” into the treasure trove of great trails and vistas in the McDowell Mountains. The Gateway Trailhead provides great accessibility for a quick hike or trail run at the end of the workday.  The Gateway Loop Trail is 4.5 miles long and has 650 feet of elevation gain, which mak...

This challenging hike up the east side of Camelback Mountain has beautiful views of Phoenix and Scottsdale, and is not often crowded. You will begin on switchbacks heading up the mountain, with trail markers to guide you at first. The hike increases in difficulty about 1 mile in, when you reach the saddle, and you will have to do some scrambling during the last stretch to the top.

5.6 Sport climb, up an 80 foot face, 9 bolts to the top.  This was the first outdoor climb for myself. It opened the doors to getting out of the gym and becoming a part of the local climbing community. I highly recommend it, as it is not too difficult, and can be done with a group of people.  The Approach and Climb Head to the Echo Canyon side of Camelback. Hike up the trail until you get to th...

If you live near or around Phoenix, you know that Camelback Mountain is pretty hard to miss. Due to the mountain's height, this hike isn't exactly what you would call easy. There are two sides of the mountain you can hike, Echo Canyon and Cholla Trail. Echo Canyon is shorter, but still an extremely difficult hike. Cholla Trail is longer and also strenuous. To hike Echo Canyon, find a dirt path...