Sonoran Preserve

Proboscidea althaeifolia	Clematis drummondii	Summer rain in Apache Wash	Cylindropuntia bigelovii

Coordinating Botanist: Kathy Darrow

Status: In Progress

Started: March 2014

Taxa List

The Sonoran Preserve is a natural area managed by the City of Phoenix currently comprising more than 9,400 acres of land and a network of over 30 miles of trails. The preserve includes two major “islands” within the boundaries of I-17 to the west, Carefree Highway to the north, Cave Creek Road to the east, and Happy Valley Road to the south. A third island is north of Carefree Highway at Tramonto between 19^th Avenue and 27^th Avenue.

The primary plant community in Sonoran Preserve is Arizona Uplands and associated seasonal riparian communities. The area includes portions of four major washes: Cave Creek, Apache Wash, Skunk Creek and Bobcat Wash, plus minor tributaries. The washes drain desert hills with exposed bedrock of granite, basalt and metamorphic rocks. Elevations range from ~540-600 meters.

For a map of trails and instructions to trailheads, consult the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation website: https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/sonoran-preserve