The Lost Dog Wash Trail is one of the most popular destinations in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The trail parallels Lost Dog Wash, a protected area, and showcases the biodoversity of the Sonoran desert. Visitors will see a rare crested Saguaro cactus near the trailhead as well as a host of desert vegetation not limited to ocotillo, teddy bear cholla, palo verde and more.

Jojoba, creosote, saguaro, palo verde and barrel cacti are all found along the Lost Dog Wash Trail

A rare crested saguaro cactus is located near the Lost Dog Wash trailhead

Unlike normal saguaros, the head of the crested saguaro fans out at its top

Millipedes, scorpions and tarantulas are found within the McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Barrel cactus can exceed 6 feet tall and are known to harbor dangerous pathogens on their needles

The Preserve hosts both Mexican Gold Poppy and California Gold Poppy - they are very difficult to tell apart

Lost Dog Wash is protected due to current animal activity and archeological remains

Some of the largest saguaros in the preserve live here - They can exceed 60' in height

Saguaro cacti can live between 150 - 200 years

Teddy Bear Cholla dominates the north and south sides of the loop

Teddy Bear Cholla is also called Jumping Cholla due the propensity of its segments to attach themselves to people

The trail bends through the Sonoran understory which plays home to jackrabbit, fox, coyote, bobcat and mountain lion

It can take up to 25 years before the first arm will appear on a saguaro cactus