Lost Dog and Year of the Snake

Photos by Lisa E White

Photo by Thomas Schmied

One of the easiest hikes in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is the Lost Dog Wash Trail which you can access from 124th Street north of Via Linda, near Desert Mt. High School.  With his leash in his mouth, Bailey is ready to take a hike. Though it can be pretty busy with people and leashed dogs on sunny Sundays like today, the well-kept trails are wide and avoid housing developments.  Gain 380 feet in elevation in 2.4 miles to the Taliesin Overlook for great views of the valley especially at sunset.  A new building at the entrance of Lost Dog has restrooms, water and usually several volunteers ready to give assistance or information on the McDowells.  Today marks the Chinese New Year, Year of the Snake, beware that a snake may be lurking in the undergrowth.  Though they hibernate in the winter, on a warm, sunny winter day, they may come out for some sun.  Because of their torpor state, they are very lethargic this time of year.  Rattlesnakes prefer to avoid humans.  At the Desert Botanical Gardens, one snake specialist said that most snake bites occur to males, and often alcohol is involved.  But be careful, and keep your dog on his leash for his own safety as well as others.  It is called Lost Dog, after all.