Saguaro Lake Ranch Trail Rides Horse Thief Wash No one is quite sure of the exact story behind Horse Thief Wash, but rumor has it that back in the early part of the last century, a group of outlaws from Old Scottsdale broke into the Stewart Ranch and rustled twenty head of horses out of the stables in the black of night. When the wranglers awoke the next day, they found tracks leading into Horse Thief Wash, but lost them soon afterward. At least that’s the story we tell around the Ranch to our horseback riding guests. Horse Thief Wash is typical of many large, dry sandy washes in the Sonoran Desert. It only runs when it is raining extremely hard, and can sometimes lead to a flash flood (but you don’t have to worry as we won’t be riding then). However, during very rainy winters, the wash sometimes runs from water trickling from underwater springs. On the trail ride, you will see Saguaro cacti on the ridge and Ironwood and Mesquite trees on the edges of the wash. There is also Desert Christmas Cactus – which is a low growing shrub like cactus that is green with many small, red fruit. Occasionally, if your eyes are sharp enough from on top of your horse you might even spot coyote or javelina scat (or maybe even the animals themselves). Riding further into Horse Thief, you will come upon the Kissing Cactuses, two barrel cacti that seem to be ‘kissing’ each other. After this landmark, it is not too far from where your horse will climb up exposed granite to exit the wash.                                 Home About Us Map/Directions Rates Saguaro Lake Ranch 1.5 Hour Ride 2 Hour Ride Other Rides The Skyline Trail Horse Thief Wash Saguaro Lake The Salt River The Mesa Bulldog Mountains Saguaro Lake Trail Rides 13020 Bush Highway Mesa, AZ 85215 (480) 984-0335