Wilderness Trail - FHP, AZ

Overview
The Wilderness Trail is a connecting trail in the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve. It connects the Western Trail with the Sonoran Trail.


Hike
This guide describes the hike going from south to north, or from the Western Trail to the Sonoran Trail.From the Adero Canyon Trailhead, take the Promenade Trail for about 3/4 mile to the signed junction with the Western Trail. Make a left turn onto the Western Trail for a little less than 1/2 mile to a signed junction with the Wilderness Trail. Follow the Wilderness Trail until it ends at a 3-way junction with the Sonoran Trail and the Mesquite Hollow Trail.

The Wilderness Trail is akin to a primitive trail that you might see in a wilderness area or in the backcountry of a national forest. It is narrow and has a number of steep, rocky sections. There is quite a bit of up-and-down as the trail goes into and out of drainages, and up and over some secondary ridgelines coming down from Peak 3804.

It is recommended to wear good hiking footwear, and many people will find trekking poles useful on the trail. The trail is more appropriate for an experienced or intermediate hiker rather than a novice, casual hiker.

If you hike the trail from north-to-south, add about 45-50 feet of elevation gain to the posted stats.

2026-01-12 DixieFlyer