Seventeen hikers set out on the Lost Dog Trail in the beautiful McDowell Sonoran Preserve on a sunny December morning. The Lost Dog Trail was discussed in the December, 2008 issue of Arizona Highways, pages 54-55.

We proceeded along the trail past a crested saguaro by the amphitheater and then walked on through the Lost Dog Wash and on up the trail.

We passed Palo Verde trees with mistletoe growing on them and then turned onto the northern segment of the Ringtail Trail.

There was a forest of “teddy bear” chollas. These cacti do not reproduce by pollination of their flowers, but rather by spreading their branches which become attached to animals and are blown about by the wind. Contrary to popular statements, the segmented branches of this plant do not “jump” onto people or animals.

At the high point of the Ringtail Trail (Lost Dog Overlook, 2000'), the Native Americans had a toolmaking site thousands of years ago, and animals traversing the Lost Dog Wash were hunted from above by those people.

The group proceeded onto the Old Jeep Trail and saw spectacular views in every direction. We passed packrat dens and a large variety of vegetation.

At the Taliesin Overlook (2092'), someone had left two folding chairs (what doesn’t belong?).

We munched our snacks and watched an ant carrying a piece of foil three times its size. It was enjoyable to talk with everyone and to meet new people. We hiked back along the Lost Dog Trail, passing through washes and past an area which had been burned ~15 years ago and in which brittlebush, a pioneer plant, is pervasive.

Upon our return, several us then went for lunch, to replenish our lost calories.

All pictures courtesy of Ted Tenny.