Bajada Nature Trail, North Scottsdale, AZ

While in the Scottsdale area, we hiked the Bajada Nature Trail at the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. We did the Gateway/Horseshoe Loop, a path not too long for the smaller adventurers.

The nature center has a model of the mountains showing the various trails hikers can try out.

Physical map

Physical beauty

Part of the trail

The trail was mostly packed dirt and fairly level, so we were able to move quickly and enjoy the surroundings.

Easy land to traverse

A fallen cactus

Veg sharing the area

The variety of cactus was amazing to me. Cholla is smaller and fuzzier-looking than the typical barrel or saguaro cactus. Saguaro is the classic main stalk with arms growing out the sides.

Not as cuddly as a teddy bear, no matter what it is called

More typical, though no arm yet!

Signs explained the differences between cactus needles. 

A cactus by any other name would feel as sharp

Barrel cactus

A distant saguaro

A wash is a stream-bed that is dry most of the year. Many different plants and animals are drawn to washes, making it a "downtown" in the desert.

A wash

Scavenger nest protected by cactus bits

In the distance is Tom's Thumb, which would have required a more substantial hike. Some of us wanted to go but we had the little kids with us.

Tom's Thumb in the distance

More exotic landscape

One sign explained about the seasons in the Sonoran Desert, something I had never considered before.

Best time to visit--not summer!

A cactus flower

A big saguaro

Other flowers

Dark side of the cactus

Light side of the cactus

A barbed-wire fence!

Some civilization in the distance

It was a fun hike.