Top Hiking Trails in Scottsdale to See Spring Wildflowers
Best Spring Hikes In Scottsdale
With over 160 miles of unpaved trails, the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, has one of the best and most extensive urban hiking trail systems in the country. With moderate temperatures and the Sonoran Desert landscape bursting with a riot of colorful wildflowers, Spring is one of the most popular times of the year to go hiking in Scottsdale. If you are a nature enthusiast eager to witness this colorful spectacle firsthand, there is no better time to grab your camera and lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails. Below are three of my personal favorite hiking trails in Scottsdale where you can immerse yourself in the stunning display of vibrant spring wildflowers that generally are very visible from these trails: Pinnacle Peak, Brown’s Ranch, and Tom’s Thumb.
Pinnacle Peak Trail: Located in North Scottsdale, the beautiful Pinnacle Peak hiking trail and landmark offers truly panoramic views of the surrounding Sonoran Desert and the valley of the sun below. I have personally hiked this 1.75 mile “in and out” trail hundreds of times over the last 20 years and I would considerate it moderate in difficulty. During the Spring season you are likely to see pockets of gold Mexican Poppies as well as lavender Lupines and desert marigolds along the trail. I would add, this is also an excellent trail to see desert reptiles like Chuckwallas, various desert snakes, including Rattlers, and occasionally the very elusive and striking colored Gila Monster. I have seen more of these shade loving and slow moving reptiles on this trail than all other trails I have hiked in Scottsdale combined.
Fair Warning: The one major downside to visiting and hiking the Pinnacle Peak trail is that for many of the reasons described above it is extremely popular and can be very crowded. The trailhead parking lot often fills up very fast requiring you to park along the paved trail access road. Your absolute best bet to avoid the crowds is to plan to visit this trailhead on a weekday if possible.
Brown's Ranch Trailhead: Situated in the northern reaches of Scottsdale, and a part of the vast The McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the Brown's Ranch Trailhead boasts a network of many scenic hiking, equestrian, and mountain biking trails that wind through a variety of desert landscapes that vary in elevations. During the spring months, the area comes alive with a kaleidoscope of wildflowers, including desert verbena, Mexican gold poppies, desert marigolds, and Brittlebush or desert daises. Brown’s ranch is also a good location to see desert wildlife including Mule deer, Javelina, and Coyotes.
My favorite springtime trail at this trailhead is the Browns Mountain trail as it offers great views as it rises toward its summit. This is an approximately 3 mile in and out trail with an elevation gain of about 490 feet. Most of the trail I would consider moderate, but the last few hundred yards to the actual and flat summit is very steep and probably not for everyone- trekking poles would come in handy on this section. The saddle and overlook before this steep section begins is where the majority of hikers enjoy the views and then turnaround.
Tom's Thumb Trail: This very challenging trail is also in North Scottsdale and a part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This popular desert trail is renowned for its unique rock formations and expansive views as you head up into its stark reaches. As you ascend this steep trail, keep an eye out for colorful blooms such as desert marigolds, penstemons, Mexican Poppies, and desert lupines dotting the rugged terrain. The wildflower reward in my opinion is when you reach the ridge where trail makes a right to head towards the Toms Thumb rock formation or landmark. There is a little valley there that can at times be covered with wild flowers including a lot of Mexican poppies some years with the added bonus of incredible views. The highlight of the hike of course is reaching the iconic Tom's Thumb rock formation.
Fair warning: With an elevation gain of over 1,200 feet and many steep switch backs this approximately 4-mile round trip hike is not for everyone. I would rate it as difficult or strenuous and you need to be properly prepared- particularly in the warmer months. My preferred time to head up is in the early morning before or near sunrise time.
Keep in mind there are several other less strenuous and beautiful hiking trails at the Tom’s Thumb trailhead. This trailhead also sports a cool trailhead building (see below) with trail info, restrooms, and seating. And with several large parking lots, finding a parking space is generally never an issue.
Best Time To See Wildflowers in Scottsdale?
Based on my experience of living, hiking, and shooting photography in Scottsdale for over 20 years, I would say on average the ideal time frame to see and experience wild flowers like Mexican poppies blooming in Scottsdale is early March to early April. The intensity of the bloom varies from year to year and is greatly affected how much precipitation we received in the winter months of January and February.
More Info
Below are a few images and video clips from all three trails during the Spring season I have captured over the years.
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A hiker heading up to the high point of the Pinnacle peak trail lined with Brittlebush. This is an “in and out” trail where you turn back at the end of the designated trail.
Mexican Poppies putting on a spring time show on the Pinnacle Peak trail.
The Pinnacle Peak trail truly offers some great panoramic views as it winds it way about half way around the summit reaches.
The moderate Brown’s mountain trail terminates at the relatively flat top of Browns Mountain to the left. You can see a lot Brittlebush blooming here.
Brittlebush, or desert daises, line the trail heading up Browns mountain. There are a lot of sweeping desert views to enjoy as well!
A pair of hikers at the beginning of the challenging Tom’s Thumb trail with a double Rainbow in background.
A short video clip of Wildflowers blooming in the upper reaches of the Tom’s Thumb trail.
My favorite area to see Wildflowers on the Tom’s Thumb Trail is near top or main ridge where you also have sweeping views of the desert below. This image is near the “Vulture” scenic view point.