Unlike most trails in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the Quartz Trail leads visitors through stretches of protected Sonoraon desert located within the residential neighborhoods on the western edge of the park. Even with houses visible, the beauty of the Sonoran landscapes eclipses any feeling of being in-town.

As the Quartz Trail officially enters the Sonoran McDowell Preserve, the flora becomes more mature with impressive examples of ocotillo, brittlebush and barrel cactus

Teddy Bear Cholla can be found in high concentrations near the crest of the loop - it is also called jumping cholla due to its propensity to easily attach itself to people

Large palo verde and Ironwood trees provide rare opportunities for desert shade along the Quartz Trail Loop

Barrel cacti are known to harbor dangerous bacteria in their needles - making it important to clean woulds quickly if stuck

The bottom of a Gila Woodpecker protrudes from a saguaro cactus as it feeds its young through the cactus hole

The needles of a Barrel Cactus, referred to as a fishhook cactus due to the shape of its needles

Excellent trail conditions make this loop popular with trail runners and mountain bikers

Mature saguaros line the Quartz Trail - saguaro cacti (Carnegiea gigantea) grow between 1 and 1.5 inches in the first eight years of its life