Scottsdale Closes Hiking Trails Due To Rain and Possible Snow

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — With more rain — and possibly snow — on its way to Scottsdale, the city is closing several trails in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Monday evening.

The city, in a news release, said that the trails and trailheads in the northern portion of the mountain range will be shuttered when the sun sets.

With more rain and potentially snow predicted in the higher elevations of north Scottsdale, the city will close trails and trailheads in the northern portion of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve beginning at sundown Monday, Jan. 25.

"This decision is made in an abundance of caution to protect the preserve and its trails in wet and muddy conditions," the news release said. "While snow in the desert makes for beautiful photographs, it can cause significant negative impacts to trails due to the cumulative impact of moisture from snow and rain. Wet and muddy trails are vulnerable to long-term damage from boots, hooves, and bike tires."

These trails will be temporarily closed:

• Tom’s Thumb Trailhead
• Browns Ranch Trailhead
• Granite Mountain Trailhead
• Fraesfield Trailhead
• Pima/Dynamite Trailhead
• All neighborhood access points and trails north of Deer Valley road alignment

These trails remain open:

• Gateway Trailhead
• Lost Dog Wash Trailhead
• Sunrise Trailhead
• Pinnacle Peak Park

The city said it will monitor the conditions and reopen the trails as soon as the weather allows. Additional updates will be available on the city's website.

The Valley was hit with severe thunderstorms earlier Monday, bringing hail, power outages and temporarily grounding flights at Sky Harbor International Airport.