Desert Walking Area

Monument sign Visitor Exhibit Plant Exhibits

This area is located on the east side of Scottsdale Road 1 3/4 miles north of Pinnacle Peak Road. Tour busses often stop in this area to give visitor a chance to stretch and enjoy the natural desert. Friends of the Scenic Drive has placed signs here identifying some of the plants.

Monument Sign

Years ago, there were picnic tables and bathroom facilities located here. The original sign was constructed by Maricopa County in 1968. The sign was given a face lift in 1995 by Friends of the Scenic Drive and its supporters. Major contributors were Scottsdale Tourism Development Commission and Del Webb's Terravita. Just south of here on the east side of Scottsdale Road there was a large wooden sign proclaiming "Desert Foothills Scenic Drive - The Most Beautiful Desert in the World". In 1996 the old sign was moved to the Cave Creek Museum where it can be viewed today.

Visitor Exhibit

Friends has created a small visitor exhibit to provide information about the Desert Foothills, the history of the Scenic Drive and local flora and fauna.  This exhibit was completed in April  1998.

The exhibit consists of 48 photo-metal plaques mounted on two large monuments. Four large illustrated plaques provide a map of the Scenic Drive, a brief description of the Drive's history, data about Sonoran climate and information about Native American plant use. In addition, there are smaller plaques depicting 44 species of plants and animals found in the Foothills.  The Plant Guide and Critter Guide contain information provided found on these plaques.

. The exhibit is located in an area that for many years has been a popular stopping place for tour busses. We wanted to enrich visitors' brief stop in the desert foothills. The exhibit was developed by local artists who are Friends volunteers.

Plant Exhibits

This is an excellent place to view desert plants.  Small signs identify many of the plant species also seen along the Scenic Drive including: saguaro, ironwood, mesquite, creosote, palo verde, Mormon tea, hedge hog and cat claw.