Cooler temperatures have arrived, making the weather great to get outside for a hike in the Sonoran Desert.

However, construction of the new trailhead out of Adero Canyon has begun, closing access to the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve from the southern end through the new residential development.

The only access to the Preserve for this season will be from the Golden Eagle Trailhead and through Eagles Nest to the Dixie Mine Trail in McDowell Mountain Park.

There is a $2 fee to enter the park at this location.

About half a mile up the trail from the entry to the park, the Sonoran Trail cuts back to Fountain Hills and into the Preserve and access to most of its trail options.

That access includes the new Lower Sonoran Trail loops.

Blucor Contracting has the contract for the trailhead construction and is expected to take nine months to complete the project meaning the southern access will likely open by late summer or early fall.