Wagner Short Loop Trail

by Chris 5/30/2000

This is a short, dandy of a trail that is especially good for leisurely groups of people, as well as children or elderly people. The trail is very level, and makes a loop around the McDowell Mountain Park's northern campground area.

The hike starts on the north side of the group campground. Follow the trail north and the path will gently bend westward. The trail gently rolls through shallow gravel washes. This entire area was ravaged by the Rio brush fire in the summer of 1995. Fully 20,000 acres were destroyed in this fire that was started by a lightning strike. Although signs of the damage remain, the rejuvenanation is astounding. Although many plants were burned, their roots survived and have quickly sprung back to life.

A half mile into the hike, the path will cross Palisades Drive and fork. Our trail goes to the left and Wagner Long Loop Trail will fork to the right. Heading south, the trail wanders alongside a broad wash cut. Another fork looms ahead just short of a mile into the trail, which is the opposite end of Wagner Long Loop again. Your third intersection comes shortly thereafter, where you will meet up Granite Trail, a quick 1.3 mile trail linking up with Pemberton Trail. You, however, will follow to the left and head hortheast to Campsite 21. The campground road leads one-half mile from there back to your starting point.

Getting There: McDowell Mountain Regional Park is north of Fountain Hills. From Mesa, drive north on Beeline Highway and turn west on Shea Boulevard, then take Fountain Hills Boulevard north to the park. You'll have to cough up $3 per car to get in.