This is a great trail and I really like the immersive feel and the use of the existing desert landscape. Still, it seems a bit odd that they make you walk such a long trail to only see two species (arabian oryx and bighorn sheep). I am NOT suggesting they subdivide these - I love the size of them. I am suggesting maybe they add a couple smaller exhibits along the trail - there is certainly plenty of unused land. I mean, they have a caracal in a lousy small cage in the children's zoo - seems like this trail would be the ideal location for a caracal exhibit.
I also love the trail, although on both of my visits (2008 and 2011) it has been hot, dusty, in the peak of summer (August) and I've sweated my way around from drinking fountain to drinking fountain. One of the perks of being a high school teacher is having summers off, but then travelling to zoos all across America means that I tour those facilities at the height of summer when they are busiest and hottest. The zoos often look their best, particularly the northern zoos in full bloom, but the Desert Lives Trail in Phoenix could definitely use a few more desert species on its loop.
This is the result of some money originally donated for "The Great Deserts of the World" which was going to be a large desert complex with species from all over the world. Sadly this plan died when former director, the late Warren Iliff left the zoo.
