Fort McDowell Adventures offers all sorts of fun experiences from horseback riding to jeep tours. They advertise at the RV Resort for “Friday Night Franks”, a unique cookout experience in the Sonoran desert with live entertainment, horseshoes, wagon rides, and an old fashioned wiener roast.
After about a 3 mile drive on a wide, well maintained dirt road, we arrived at Fort McDowell Adventures and found it completely deserted. I guess there are only people there when there are activities happening...we thought there would be a staffed office where we could find out more about their adventures. We parked the truck and wandered around.
Their website says they have “acres of pristine Arizonan foothills play host to one-of-a-kind real Wild West experience with something for everybody. Mere minutes from sunny Scottsdale, AZ, Fort McDowell Adventures is a premier outdoor activity and event venue in the great state of Arizona and features four event venues with tons of activities for families and groups.”We took pictures of the place....
This must be where they have their weiner roasts...
After we had finished wandering around, we returned to the truck and were on our way to McDowell Mountain Regional Park. We passed the Fountain in Fountain Hills...it is supposed to be the highest fountain in the world...560 feet high...We paid our $6 entrance fee and continued to the Visitors Centre.
Before going inside, we decided to take our packed lunch over to a picnic table...
This is a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake that "rattled" as we entered the room...we were told that if we hear that on our hike to stop, turn around and slowly walk away. I asked what the chances of coming across a rattlesnake was...she said it`s pretty cool out there for them right now...good!We had a great hike...it was a perfect day! We stopped numerous times to take pictures....
We had to step to the side of the trail to let a group of mountain bikers go by...
Quite the cactus...
By the way, I`m carrying the backpack by choice...the extra weight burns more calories :)...
The Verde River valley...
Ahh...rest time...
More interesting cactus...
We could see the Fountain all the way in Fountain Hills...
Two hours and 40 minutes later we were back at the truck...hot and tired! It felt great to get out for some good exercise! The only problem was that Steve ended up leaving the lens cap to his camera on one of the benches where we had stopped for a rest...we certainly were not going to walk all the way back, so I guess we will be buying a new one.
After our hike, we decided to take a drive through the campground. It is really nice with 50 amp power and water connections...there is a sani-dump on the way in and it is $25/night. We might just have to come back here and camp for a bit...there are tons and tons of hiking and biking trails!
We took a drive through the rest of the park...lots of picnic area and staging areas to offload bikes and horses for the trails. Most of the trails are shared-use...hiking, biking and horses...but no ATV’s...sheesh!
We were back home by 4:00...tired, hot and hungry! We had thought we might go to the Casino tonight but decided against it. Instead we relaxed and had some wonderful chats with family...my brother, Don, is now on Skype too!Judging by the forecast for the next few days, it sounds like it was a good thing we got out to enjoy a hike today...I think we will be hunkering down as a major rainstorm is on its way.
Great Post, Wonderful Pictures!!
ReplyDeleteMcDowell Mountain looks like a great hiking area. Hope you stay at the campground, would love to hear and see more about it.
Keep having fun:o))