CONTORTED CACTI Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve is home to dozens of bizarre crested saguaro cactus specimens. Find the crown jewel on the Coyote Canyon Trail.
Getting There: Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th St., Scottsdale. From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, take the Princess Drive/Pima Road exit 36 and go 6.5 miles north on Pima Road to Dynamite Boulevard/Rio Verde Drive. Turn right and continue 5.9 miles to 136th Street, turn left and go 1.8 miles to the trailhead on the left. Trailhead is open sunrise to sunset. Length: 6.2 miles. Rating: easy Kid Friendly: YES Pet Friendly: YES Elevation: 2,580-2,840 feet Best Season: October-April Facilities: restrooms, horse trailer parking.
Photo credit Mare Czinar/PHOENIX
