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Field Notes: Scottsdale/Mesa, AZ

We’re biased because this is our home. There is a reason we chose Mesa for the HQ, and it’s definitely not the 100 days over 100 degrees. It’s the endless variety of desert adventures that this area has to offer. Unlike Moab, this area is spoiled for options from an entertainment perspective as well - our adventures usually include some great food, drinks, and spectacular sunsets.

WHERE TO STAY 

Lost Dutchman
Exactly 25 mins from Owl HQ, Lost Dutchman is very popular with customers who come in to upgrade their vans at our location in Mesa. Plenty of campsites, facilities, trails, and vans galore.

Best For: Hiking and a prime jump off spot for paddle and bike sports nearby. 

Bulldog Canyon
If you like our photography, you’ll love Bulldog Canyon. Most of our desert vistas were shot in Bulldog Canyon. It’s a wonderfully accessible off-road trail that a van or Ekko equipped with upgraded suspension can easily complete. It’s well-traveled, but please check out our videos on self-rescue, just in case. 

Best For: Off-road fun, hiking, and lots of campsite choices.

McDowell Mountain Park
A truly wonderful park that highlights the best of what the Sonoran Desert has to offer. Lots of wildlife, beautiful saguaros, desert flowers in the spring, and one of my favorite hiking trails - Tom’s Thumb (see below). 

Best For: Hiking and gravel riding.

Four Seasons Scottsdale
I love my van. Truly. But after 4-5 days of desert, I want a pool, a nice robe, and a margarita made for me. This is one of my favorite hotels in the US, mostly because of great memories - but also because the food is fabulous, the proximity to Pinnacle Peak and McDowell Mountain is so convenient, and the landscape is unstoppable.

Best For: Sunsets and pool tacos. 

WHERE TO EAT + DRINK

Belmont Kitchen is brand new and really good. It's certainly on the spendy side, but the Waygu burger is lovely, especially paired with an Old Fashioned. 

Cafe Monarch – If Belmont wasn’t expensive enough for you, we have the fix. An Old Town Scottsdale institution, and consistently named one of the best restaurants in America, Cafe Monarch is truly world class. There is nothing quite like driving out of the dusty desert and pulling up to to the valet here (who give high praise to our rigs). 

Pizzeria Virtu – Around the corner from Monarch is my more accessible option. I’m here almost every week, know the staff, and am always amazed at how good the pizzas are. Wood fired brick oven deliciousness paired with a great local beer selection. 

WHAT I DO

Not to bury the lead, but I kinda already told you. I live in Park City, Utah and work at Owl in Mesa - so I’m a tourist in this area every other week. I like to stay out in the Bulldog Canyon area or Lost Dutchman. It’s relatively close to Owl (so stop by) and so easy. 

BEST RIDES

MTB: Hawes trail system. As you can see from our IG video, some of the boys at Owl can get down on a bike. This was filmed at Hawes and it’s just a great trail system. Lots of options for all types of riding - including some truly scary downhill. I like the As Good as it Gets loop. 14 miles is a perfect after work distance and combines some good climbing and rowdy descents. 

GRAVEL: McDowell Mountain Park’s Pemberton Trail is a great gravel loop. Too tame for a true mountain bike, it’s really spicy on a gravel bike. While relatively short at 14 miles, you can lap it twice for a longer day in the saddle. There is nothing wrong with seeing these views again. 

BEST RUNS

Trail: Pinnacle Peak! Adjacent to our guilty pleasure hotel is a 4.1 mile out and back with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. It’s just the perfect length for a quick run. The trails are maintained impeccably and the golden hour on top is Instagram or TikTok worthy, if you’re into that stuff. P.S. - We are, so give us a follow. 

BEST HIKES

I love the Tom’s Thumb hike. It’s also my children’s favorite. It’s a good workout as it rises straight from the valley up Mount McDowell. We have been told that it’s one of the prime habitats for gila monsters—but have yet to uncover one. However, you will see lots of very cool funnel web spiders if you’re into that kind of thing. 

BEST PADDLE

Last time I was out in the desert, I brought my paddle board in the Ekko and floated the Salt River. I followed this great guide and went from bridge to dam.

GEAR CHECKLIST

The best bet for hauling bikes and any gear you'll need off trail is the Monster Box and Bike Tray from 1 Up.