14 Trails to Explore and Enjoy
Apache Skyline Brangas Way
Bronco Butte China Wall
Cintarosa East Grapevine
Hohokam Camp Quartz Quarry
Saddlehorn Sentinel Trail
Skull Mesa Shadow Sunset Summit
Tonto Ridge West Grapevine
The digital guide—an innovative Desert Mountain exclusive—enables hikers to swiftly custom design their hike and download their personal route map onto their digital devices to carry with them. Local weather, hiking tips, rules of the trail system, and safety tips can all be viewed on the digital guide —everything needed to have a spectacular hiking experience. Waterproof outdoor screen Latest touch technology for fast and accurate response Auto time controls to turn off monitor at night.
Informational sign panels developed with the Cave Creek Museum showcasing the Sonoran region’s geology and history
The plaza at the Ranch Trailhead, lovingly named Suzan’s Place in memory of Suzan Harrington, is the perfect spot for gathering before or after a hike, or to just sit and view the 100 foot art piece. The Mosaic is a dawn-to-dusk tableau encompassing beautiful plants and fascinating creatures shown in their native habitats. Virtually every bird, butterfly and insect found in the Sonoran Desert is represented.
A VISUALLY APPEALING EXPERIENCE WORTHY OF DESERT MOUNTAIN’S EXTRAORDINARY OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT
Following the best practices learned from the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve, The Trails signage system was designed to keep the number of signs to those strictly necessary for trail navigation and safety so as not to detract from the beauty of the environment. Each sign communicates the useful and relevant information based on its location, the information may include:
• Trail name
• Clearly marked trail direction
• Direction to named locations
• Distances to named locations
• Emergency markers
The Trails signage system was a joint project with the Desert Mountain Homeowners Association.
A permanent structure at the trailhead that commemorates our level of excellence as recognized by others.
Informational sign panels developed with the Cave Creek Museum showcasing the Sonoran region’s geology and history.
Desert Mountain was awarded the best new “Developer” trails system at the completion of our first 15-miles of master planned trails. American Trails is the leading proponent of trails systems in America. Their mission is to advance the development of diverse, high quality trails through collaboration, education, and communication.
The highly innovative Outdoor Adventures team created outdoor recreation opportunities for our members that put Desert Mountain at the top of this category at the world CMAA conference in 2023. The CMAA is an organization of Clubs and Communities that share best practices.
Quiet Parks International is a non-profit committed to saving quiet for all life. Desert Mountain was awarded the first ever in the world Quiet Conservation Area award. The award was dedicated to the memory of Craig Mitchell who was the inspiration for the award and led the Desert Mountain Quiet Parks project team.
The Trails at Desert Mountain received the highest level of recognition by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. This was the first time a Gold Standard Site designation was awarded to private lands. The initiative was led by the Club’s Outdoor Adventures team and supported by the Desperados.