The McDowell Mountain Preserve now boasts the Mesquite Hollow Trail, a scenic pathway carved by the dedication of volunteers and the vision of a man passionate about the Arizona outdoors. As reported by the Town of Fountain Hills, the five-mile roundtrip hike, initiated through the efforts of the Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills' Trailblazers group, opened to the public amidst both celebration and sentiment as its architect plans to step away from a two-decade-long labor of love.
As per the Town of Fountain Hills, the trail, which starts at the Adero Canyon Trailhead and winds through the preserve, offers more than just a walk in the park. Fountain Hills Parks Superintendent Brandon Putman described the newly minted trail as an invitation “to get back into the depths of the preserve, find areas that are isolated and away from the hustle and bustle of our busy urban environments.” The trail is crowned by the presence of an aged mesquite tree, which according to Putman, stands as a testament to the resilience of nature.
Trailblazers' longtime leader, Bill Craig, who championed the new trail's creation, was honored at the grand opening. The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of town officials, including Mayor Friedel and former Mayor Ginny Dickey. "The McDowell Mountain Sonoran Preserve has more than 200 miles of trails, so the fact that we’re able to continue finding and building new ones is incredibly special," Craig said, as stated by the Town of Fountain Hills.
"After I work on a Saturday and come back to the trailhead, I usually stay here a while and listen to people coming back from the trails," Craig reflected in a statement made by the Town of Fountain Hills. Looking forward, Kanya will take the helm to oversee the construction of the final trail in the series, a project slated for completion by the year’s end.
