I have a free day next Thursday. I’m looking for a long-ish (10-12 mile) trail run with some cool views. I know there are some desert like trails all around, but are there some more green/scenic ones? Any must dos? I will have a car and can drive a bit if needed.
You want Green in the desert? So did Mosses!
Trail 100 runs right through Scottsdale. It’s a desert trail trail with rocks and cactus. From the trailhead you go between the houses but then it opens right up and you are out in the open desert.
Have fun!
try this: http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve/trailheads. Brown’s ranch is new and many ways to do a long loop or a couple of shorter ones to make 10+ miles. There’s water at the trailhead.
also this: http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=BGS128-009 NE Corner of Pima - Dynamite roads, you can follow the power lines all the way to Bartlett Lake Rd, definitely 10+ out and back. No water at trailhead though.
Also Pemberton Trail in fountain hills, can’t recall how long it is, maybe 15?
green/scenic i guess the greenway down in central scotssdale but that’s not the real arizona…
Head up to Black Canyon City and run the Xterra Trail Race Series (aztrailrace.com) loop, it’s 15 miles. No water so stock up before heading out. Otherwise Pemberton at McDowell Mountain Park is great (15miles), trail 89/89A/100 at Phoenix Mountain Preserve, or National Trail at South Mountain Park.
Do the Windgate/Bell Loop from the Gateway Trailhead in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Clockwise. About 10 miles, epic scenery, 1,900 ft of climbing!
http://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/trailhead/displayHike/5#sthash.Ds1UDBwh.dpbs
I ran there a few weeks ago and hated it. To me, it is more of a hiking trail versus running. The rocks are too big. I love running on dirt, bit that was very uncomfortable. For dirt, I’d probably head out to Fountain Hills.