                  
|
McDowell Mountain Range The McDowell Mountains create a natural barrier between Fountain Hills and the rest of the Valley of the Sun. In fact, Fountain Hills resides on the eastern slope of the range as it descends down to the Verde River at the bottom of the Lower Verde Basin. The McDowells have received quite a bit of attention over the last several years with regards to environmental protection from development. Between the City of Scottsdale and the Town of Fountain Hills, thousands of acres have been set aside for the new McDowell Mountain Preserve. Between this preserve and the 20,000 acre McDowell Mountain Regional Park, the area will continue to offer beautiful, pristine mountain vistas. Why? The answer to that question is evident the moment you see the range in all its glory. The McDowell Mountains are a majestic range with stunning vistas, diverse vegetation and an abundance of wildlife. These happen to be the same reasons developers find the property so valuable for upscale residential development. Privately held property in the McDowells is, of course, valuable property. Voters have spoken, however, and a great deal of the land will be set aside. More, of course, is always better, but the property that is currently slated for preservation is already costing taxpayers a sizable amount of money. Most agree it is worth the expense at the cost of other community amenities in order to preserve its beauty for future generations. The McDowells offer some fine opportunities for outdoor activity. There are several hiking trails in the range for hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers to enjoy. The range also holds quite a few secrets. Explorers will find numerous petroglyphs carved in rock faces scattered throughout the range. There is also an abandoned gold and silver mine hidden in one valley of the range. The Dixie Mine, operated around the turn of the century, produced over $50,000 in gold, silver, and some copper. Considered a "Glory Hole," a mine with enticing veins of ore that abruptly vanish due to shifts in the earth during prehistoric times, miners abandoned the property. The mine is located at the base of Thompson Peak. Note that no public automobile traffic is allowed. To get there you must hike, bike, or horseback ride. Also note McDowell Mountain Regional Park officials discourage entering the mine for safety concerns. TAKE CAUTION: There has been sightings of a large bee hive in the trees below the mine and along the stream. On the northern end of the range stands the mighty Thumb Butte. This rock pinnacle is popular among rock climbers. There are several trails that offer access to the butte, but the most popular and overall easiest route is via a trail that begins at the base of the mountain below the butte itself on the north end of the range. To access the unmarked trail, take Rio Verde Drive west to 128th Street. Turn left and head straight for the mountains making your way to the base of the mountain below the butte. 128th is a graded road, but in some spots it can be a bit rough. Once 128th street ends, the remaining roads are jeep roads and are only passable by high clearance vehicles. If your vehicle is low clearance you will have to stop here and hike the remainder of the way to the trail. The McDowell Mountains, Mt. McDowell (Red Mountain), and the Fort McDowell Reservation were all named after General Irwin McDowell of the Union army. General McDowell served as a US Cavalry officer in nineteenth century Arizona.
Peaks in the range: For more information about McDowell Mountain Regional
Park please see our listing under "Attractions"
on this web site or call or visit: For a map of the planned McDowell Mountain Preserve, scheduled hikes, and other information about the McDowells call or visit: McDowell Sonoran
Land Trust
Back to: Attractions
Would you like to contribute
content pertaining to this subject? Click
here. |
     
|
 |