The Dixie Mine Trail runs 2.15 miles through the foothills of McDowell Mountain Regional Park to the eponymous mine. While the mine is subjectively interesting, the trail itself is highly compelling for lush vegetation, various rock types, active wildlife and nearby petroglyphs. Visitors will enjoy mild grades and excellent views across the McDowell Mountains and Verde River Valley.

A rare Crested or 'Cristate' Saguaro cactus - debate still exists among scientists as to why this phenomenon occurs

Reptiles emerge from small holes to draw heat from sun soaked rocks on the Dixie Mine Trail

Poppies cover the hillsides after early spring rains

The Dixie Mine Trail has little net elevation gain through the bajada

A Costa's Hummingbird on the Dixie Mine Trail - they can enter a state of virtual hibernation during cold desert nights where their heart rate drops from 500 BPM (beats per minute) to 50 BPM

Gila woodpeckers use Saguaro cacti as nests - pecking out holes, then waiting for them to dry

Ancient petrolgyphs of the Hohokam people indicate human habitation of the Dixie Mine area going back thousands of years

Quartz veins - large uninterrupted strings of quartz - can be found on the Dixie Mine Trail

Diverse vegetation, basalt and granite add color to the Dixie Mine Trail

A basalt-walled wash in the area is filled with caves which play home to cougar, bobcat, gray fox and coyote

The park began the process of absorbing the mine in 1972 - officially protecting the surrounding area

While fun to hypothesize, no one really knows the significance of the Dixie Mine Petroglyphs

Red quartz mine tailings are a reminder of the heavy mining operations started here in 1917

Spring rains bring rare green fields and wildflower blooms to the McDowell Mountain area

A male phainopela known for its glossy black body and distinct crest - the female is gray in color (see next photo)

A female phainopela - quite different from its strikingly glossy mate

Dixie Mine was originally known as Red Mountain Mine - it is entirely unsafe to enter the mine