Crested Saguaro
Today we visited the McDowell Mountain Regional Park north of Fountain Hills and hiked the 3.5 mile Scenic Trail which joined the Pemberton Trail for 0.9 of a mile to return to the parking area. The low point on this trail that meanders through Sonoran Desert washes is 1,746 feet and its high point on a Lousley Hills ridge is 2,003 feet. Four Peaks can be seen to the east from the ridge. There were several interesting saguaros along the way including one with a crest. We didn’t see any other hikers, but this trail is a popular one for mountain bikers.
We stuffed ourselves for lunch at the Red Rock Buffet in the Fort McDowell Casino. We learned that “During the early 1990s several tribal casinos, including Fort McDowell, operated in Arizona. In accordance with the provisions of the federal 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the tribes were waiting to sign gaming compacts with the state government. However, at the time the State Governor opposed Indian gaming and called upon the U.S. Attorney’s Office for support. Unannounced raids by FBI agents on five Indian casinos were ordered. At first light on May 12, 1992, agents invaded the Fort McDowell Casino seizing the community’s 349 gaming machines, loading them into moving trucks. Community members witnessing the raid took immediate action. They called other community members, tribal leaders and the news media. Using every available car, truck, and piece of heavy machinery, a blockade of the casino access road was organized. Violence ensued, including a three-week standoff between the tribe and government. The Arizona Governor was ultimately persuaded to sign a gaming compact with the tribe, thus paving the way for Indian gaming in Arizona. May 12 is now a tribal holiday.” And, May 12 is my birthday!
A Battling Bishop 