Scottsdale may be famous for its spas, resorts, iconic cacti and major attractions like Spring Training, but there is another side to this city that’s only beginning to get the attention it deserves. When asked what there is to do in town, I quickly turn to lists of trails, peaks, parks, boulder piles, and cycling routes. If you know where to look, there is no end to the options for outdoor adventure in Scottsdale. Join me for my take on the “adventurer’s complete weekend” without ever leaving Scottsdale.
Friday at 5 p.m. – Trail Running
I keep trail runners, and extra clothes in my car at all times so I can head straight from the office into the weekend. I lace up my shoes, fill my hydration pack (a must in AZ!), and head to Gateway Trailhead in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve for a trail run around the Gateway loop trail (4.5 miles). Time it right to catch an iconic Arizona sunset. In the summer, head counterclockwise for better shade and northwest sunset views. In winter, the opposite applies. The park closes promptly at sunset, so time your run to finish up prior to the gates closing.
Friday at 6:30 p.m. – Post-run Recovery Drinks
Sweaty and starving is my attire of choice this Friday night, but the low-key vibe of The Vig McDowell Mountain (just minutes from the Gateway Trailhead) keeps me from feeling out of place. The patio crowd is too preoccupied with the impressive list of local brews to notice the dirt on my running shoes. Pair your choice of beer, wine or "Vignature" cocktail with the blistered shishito peppers starter and blackened rockfish tacos. Fuel up, the weekend is just beginning.
Saturday at 5 a.m. – Rock Climbing
There is a surprising number of rock climbing options in and around Scottsdale. Some of the most beloved spots can be found in the granitic terrain around Tom’s Thumb. Access this area from Tom’s Thumb Trailhead at the north end of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve and be ready for a hike/scramble to access most of these routes. The approach is a great warm-up and the perfect opportunity to take in the views. If you time it right, you may be able to catch sunrise over the Four Peaks Wilderness area to the east. Be sure to do your research or bring a friend who knows the area well to help you find the most suitable climbs. *Note: Climbing outdoors is not recommended during the hot desert summer, instead consider getting a bike ride in early then hitting Arizona on the Rocks for an afternoon of indoor climbing.
Saturday at 9 a.m. - Farmers Market, Breakfast and Mimosas
Swing by the Farmer’s Market in Old Town Scottsdale (open October through April) and browse the local vendors for pastries and coffee. While here, I pick up fresh meats and produce for my week. Next, stop by ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho in Old Town Scottsdale for a mid-morning mimosa and browse the breakfast menu, most of which features local ingredients curated by the chef. Keep it light (though the eggs Benedict with hollandaise is awfully tempting!) as this afternoon will be your biggest challenge yet.
Saturday at 2 p.m. - Road Biking
Scottsdale has the best roads in Arizona for cycling. Wide bike lanes and low rainfall make for a smooth surface and good riding conditions. There are endless options for road cycling routes in Scottsdale, and one of my favorites begins in downtown then meanders through the ranch-style neighborhoods of Paradise Valley before reaching North Scottsdale’s xeriscaped communities that blend seamlessly into the surrounding mountains. This ride climbs steadily for the first half to a turnaround point at the Sunrise Trailhead on the southern edge of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Here you have incredible south-facing views all the way to the Superstition Mountains. Follow a similar route back, and enjoy the casual downhill as you cruise along Indian Bend Wash to an afternoon pick me up at Yellow Spruce Roasters. Total distance: 40 miles.
Saturday at 6 p.m. – Finish Off the Day with Flavor at The Mission
It’s been a long day so indulge a little over dinner at The Mission Old Town. The menu at this Latin-inspired hotspot takes my mind off my ailing muscles and I can't leave without the tableside guacamole and roasted butternut squash tacos. After a dinner fit for a queen (of the mountain) and a couple Mission margaritas, I start to believe that a 7 a.m. date with my mountain bike is still a good idea.
Sunday at 7 a.m. – Mountain Biking
This ride is on dirt, but it’s no stomach-dropping Red Bull Rampage. At Brown’s Ranch Trailhead in the northern part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve there are so many trails that it’s easy to create a ride to suit any skill level. I begin with Whiskey Bottle trail and head north around towering Granite Mountain, passing Balancing Rock and then finishing up via fast and windy Maverick trail. The lush landscape here is filled with a wide variety of plants and animals. Hikers, equestrians, and cyclists share the trail system and the enjoyment of spotting a desert tortoise, Gila monster, or Harris’s hawk.
Sunday at 10 a.m. – Recovery
There are many choices for relaxation in Scottsdale, and I found one true to this weekend’s adventure theme. Agave, the Arizona Spa at The Westin Kierland offers an Athletic Recovery Massage, which is great for releasing lactic acid from the body and relieving the ache and discomfort of sore muscles. Seeing as sticks and stones are bound to be found on outdoor adventure, this was a must try.
Sunday at 5 p.m. – Pre-Sunset Hike
Stretch those legs with an easy hike. Beginning at the Quartz Trailhead, just a couple of miles south of the Gateway Trailhead, Quartz trail is a steady climb through a verdant wash to a scenic viewpoint at the Taliesin Overlook (5.2 miles roundtrip). This is one of my favorite spots in all of Scottsdale. The landscape below hums a muted melody of desert sounds and city murmurs and the sandy hues of buildings blend into the surrounding landscape as if they were always there.
Sunday at 8 p.m. – Dinner at FnB
After a long weekend of what I consider the best side of the city, there’s no better way to top it off than a dinner at Old Town's FnB, helmed by James Beard Award-winning Chef Charleen Badman. Badman's carefully curated menu highlights locally sourced ingredients and seasonal fare and gives me extra satisfaction in knowing that my meal comes from the very terrain that I’ve spent so much time with over the last couple of days.
A native of the Puget Sound region, Annemarie was inspired to adventure at an early age. The beaches, mountains, and forests of the Pacific Northwest encouraged exploration and helped develop a deep love of the outdoors. That same spirit of adventure brought Annemarie to the Sonoran Desert where she spends days working for travel and adventure company REI Co-op Experiences, and nights and weekends are dedicated to miles on the bike, feet on the trail, dog snuggles, and travel. Annemarie finds herself pulled in many directions by her overactive imagination and interests ranging from scuba diving, yoga, and gardening to history, food culture, and social ethics. She lives by the motto, “start the day with a good coffee, finish it with a cold beer.”
