a desert expanse filled with dead brush and a variety of cholla cacti in front of the mcdowell mountains

granite rocks metamorphic trail hiking horseshoe loop mcdowell sonoran preserve scottsdale desert landscape geology cholla cactus dead brush nature outdoors arizona usa america mountains saguaro carnegiea gigantea parkinsonia teddybear jumping cylindropuntia tourism travel vacation scenic harsh environment ecosystem sight solitude blue skies expanse filled variety cacti front covered palo verde bushes