See Video, Photos & Hike Scottsdale’s Jane Rau Trail

February 14, 2017

Easy, Scenic Trail for All Ages and Ability Levels

The landscape is studded with magnificent saguaro, like this one.

The landscape is studded with magnificent saguaro, like this one.

The Jane Rau Trail is located at the Brown’s Ranch Trailhead area of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in north Scottsdale, Arizona. The trail starts just east of the amphitheater. It’s a half-mile loop trail through a saguaro-studded, boulder-strewn area. The trail is wide, flat and has interpretive signs and shaded benches. The trail was designed for effortless walks with strollers, wheelchairs, restless kids and hiking enthusiasts of all ages and ability levels. It provides an excellent introduction to Scottsdale’s preserve.

The trail is named after Jane Rau, a co-founder of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy and long-time volunteer and preservation activist. Jane served as president of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association (GPPA), the nonprofit that publishes this magazine. Jane was a member of GPPA’s board of directors when she co-founded the conservancy. The City Scottsdale dedicated the trail on March 22, 2014.

Facilities: There are restrooms, a few exhibits, water and maps at the trailhead.
Hours: The trailhead is open from dawn to dusk every day.
Rules: No bikes or horses are allowed on the trail. Dogs on leashes are allowed.
Directions: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead is located at 30301 N. Alma School Parkway, in Scottsdale. From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, take the Pima/Princess exit 36. Go 6.5 miles north on Pima Road to Dynamite Boulevard, turn right and continue 2.7 miles to Alma School Parkway.  Turn left and go 1 mile to the trailhead.

Video

This video, featuring Jane and the trail named for her, was published by the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in October 2013.

 

Jane Rau Trail Video

 

Photographs

In 2014, shortly after the trail opened, Les Conklin, A Peek at the Peak Editor, walked the trail and took these photographs.

The trail includes easy to read interpretive signs.

The trail includes easy to read interpretive signs.

 

b

That's not a large bird looking at Pinnacle Peak. The trail provides many opportunities to take interesting photographs.

That’s not a large, striped bird looking at Pinnacle Peak. The trail provides many opportunities to take interesting photographs.

c

View of Brown's Mountain, which is also part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

View of Brown’s Mountain, which is also part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

d

The landscape is studded with magnificent saguaro, like this one.

The landscape is studded with magnificent saguaro, like this one.

e

Granite boulder outcropping near the trail.

Granite boulder outcropping near the trail.

f

This sign posted beside the trail provides information about the trail's namesake.

This sign posted beside the trail provides information about the trail’s namesake.

Related Websites

McDowell Sonoran Preserve, www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve   Website

McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, www.mcdowellsonoran.org  Website

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Author: Les Conklin

Les Conklin is a resident of north Scottsdale He founded Friends of the Scenic Drive, the Monte de Paz HOA and is the president of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association. He was named to Scottsdale's History Maker Hall of Fame in 2014. Les is a past editor of A Peek at the Peak and the author of Images of America: Pinnacle Peak. He served on the Scottsdale's Pride Commission, McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission, the boards of several local nonprofits and was a founding organizer of the city's Adopt-A-Road Program.. Les is a volunteer guide at the Musical Instrument Museum.

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1 Comment

  1. Very nice. Happy to have learned about Jane Rau. Excellent video. Thank you!

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