Unity Hiking Group Outing: Fraesfield Mountain Trailhead
Wednesday, March 18th: Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine and Black Hill Trail Loop from the Fraesfield Mountain Trailhead
Date/Time: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 9:15 am (arrive 15 minutes early to check in)
Carpooling: For those wishing to do so, we will be carpooling from the UPHX north parking lot, meeting at 8:00 and leaving at 8:15. Traffic is heavy Eastbound on 101 to Pima Rd. Exit (or Hayden and work way to Pima Rd). Continue north on Pima Rd and turn right on Dynamite which turns into Rio Verde Drive. (Put Fraesfield Trailhead in your GPS)
Hike Leaders: Mary Travis, 602-820-9361 & Henry Klimkowski, 609-502-2008
Please RSVP to HenryK_Jr@hotmail.com
Area: Fraesfield Mountain Trailhead in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Trail Name: Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine and Black Hill Trail Loop
Distance: 4.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 223 feet
Difficulty: Moderate (Many reviewers on All-Trails say it’s easy.)
Address/Directions: 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ (put Fraesfield Trailhead in your GPS to find the turnoff from Dynamite/Rio Verde Dr and drive to the end of the road to park.)
Meeting Location: Meet in the breezeway near the restrooms at the very large, rusted metal building. Do not park in horse parking area but continue straight another minute to the main parking lot that dead ends at the very large, rusted building.
Description: This is a wonderful, easy-to-moderately-challenging loop hike with a lesser amount of elevation gain than our typical hikes. (223 ft v 623 ft for our 12/27 hike at Dreamy Draw.) Well-maintained dirt trails with gentle climbs and occasional rocky sections. Feels “backcountry” with scenic views of Superstitions, Four Peaks, and lots of saguaros.
Dogs: Dogs on a leash are welcome.