Desert life

Popular hiking trails in the Phoenix Valley

645 miles of Maricopa trails connected across metro

People hike on Elephant Mountain Trail at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation, Jan. 20, 2019.

Courtesy Maricopa County Parks and Recreation

A biker rides in the Prickly Pedal Race on the Maricopa Trail.

Courtesy Maricopa County Parks and Recreation

Mule deer are seen at White Tank Mountain Regional Park.

Courtesy Karen Martin

Views from the Wind Cave at Usery Mountain Regional Park.

Courtesy Maricopa County Parks and Recreation

Hiking characterizes life in the Sonoran Desert that stretches from northwestern Mexico to part of southern California and Arizona.

“I want people to appreciate how amazing this land is that we live on. The Sonoran Desert is very unique. It’s one of four deserts in North America,” said Janice Holden, board member of the Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills.

There are over 200 mountain ranges in Arizona, 20 of which are in Maricopa County.

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