Construction on the Adero Canyon Trailhead is progressing toward a late summer to early fall completion. However, ongoing construction for the Adero Canyon residential development may impact the timeline for unfettered access into the Preserve for hiking.

Town officials say there is a good deal of uncertainty about the situation at this time. Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin said current plans still call for a late fall dedication of the trailhead, however, an official opening may be delayed beyond that.

Toll Brothers, the residential homebuilder at Adero Canyon, is advancing its plans for new subdivision development along Eagle Ridge Drive toward the trailhead. Town staff completed its first review of those plans last week and returned them to the developer for corrections. The review process may take up to three months.

While initially some significant time lag may have been expected between trailhead completion and the advance of development, that appears to be disappearing.

Town staff says the new trailhead will not officially open until road construction on Eagle Ridge Drive is complete to the trailhead site. There is no clear timeline for that at this point.

Completion of the road work will also allow for utility installation to the trailhead.

The $2 million trailhead project will provide developed access to the miles of trails in the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve as well as portions of the Scottsdale Preserve and McDowell Mountain Park.

There is also a restroom building under construction and a ramada being built with views down the canyon toward Red Mountain.