Discovery Trails
Discovery Trails was developed by the Woodside Homes, one of the top 50 builders in the entire country. The community consists of 139 homes and is located North of McDowell Mountain Ranch Road and South of Paradise Lane. Its location is popular because of its close proximity to the community pool, spa and tennis courts, the community schools, the Aquatic Center and the Library.
There were seven different models ranging in size from 1,088 square feet to 2232 square feet. Three of them are popular great room plans. In November of 1997, which is the date of the earliest builder price list that I have in my files, the price for the 1502 square foot Catalina model was $161,290.
Woodside Homes also built Discovery Canyon in McDowell Mountain Ranch. This is a sister community to Discovery Trails and utilized many of the same floor plans. It is located just off 104th Street behind the Desert Canyon school complex. They were also responsible for another Ranch community, Panorama Point, which has somewhat larger homes which begin at 1548 square feet and go up to 2711 square feet.
ABOUT THE BUILDER
Woodside Homes, a privately held company, was founded in 1977 in Salt Lake City. Today, it builds homes in Arizona, California, Nevada and their Utah.
The company’s success is based on a philosophy that includes outstanding customer service and providing quality at a good value. Woodside Homes entered the Phoenix market in 1992 and, over the years, has expanded to meet the needs of the fastest growing areas of the Southwest giving new homebuyers a certain standard of luxury and value.
According to their literature, the company’s focus has always been on building the best value for the customer’s dollar. The types of homes that they have built have ranged from the first time home for young families and singles to the luxury executive home. Each home, regardless of size and price, features a balance of comfort and beauty that reflects the high standards and discriminating tastes of the company’s diverse set of buyers. Woodside is currently building homes ranging from 1,250 to over 4,000 square feet.
Most Woodside Homes are in master planned communities or neighborhoods featuring a sense of community. They often boast amenities such as golf courses, water features or nearby mountains. Woodside Homes builds houses that are in the style of the area, incorporating the look of the environment around their innovative floor plans. Every home is durably built and affordable to maintain. They also offer one of the most comprehensive warrantees in the industry.
Neighborhood stats
Builder: Woodside Homes
Number of Homes: 139
Number of Models: 7
Price Range: mid-$300’s to low $500’s
Sq Ft: 1,088 to 2,232
Community Map
Models
Discovery Trails offered seven different models; 4 of which were single level and 3 of which were two story homes. They ranged in size from 1,088 to 2,232 square feet and had several distinctive floor plan variations.
Cholla
The single level Cholla plan had a great room and offered 1088 square feet. It had 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and a 2 car garage.
Coronado
The single level Coronado plan offered two plans with 1351 and 1451 square feet. This great room plan had 3 bedrooms, or 2 bedrooms plus a den, 2 baths and a 2 car garage. The primary difference is the addition of a dining area.
Catalina
The single level Catalina plan offered 1502 square feet. This great room plan had 3 bedrooms or 2 bedrooms plus a den, 2 baths and a 2 car garage.
Sabino
The single level Sabino plan offered 1614 square feet. This home had either 3 bedrooms or 2 bedrooms plus a den. It had a formal living room as well as a family room, 2 baths and a 2 car garage.
Sierra
The two story Sierra plan offered 1690 square feet. This home had 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, a formal living room as well as a family room and a 2 car garage.
Highline
The two story Highline offered two plans with 1947 and 2120 square feet. This home had 4 bedrooms with the master on the 1st level, 2 1/2 baths and a 2 car garage. The difference in size was an optional bonus room on the 2nd level.
Palo Verde
This 3,094 square foot home was a 5 bedroom split plan offered 3 baths, one of which was a “jack and jill” style.
Discovery Trails
The builder, Woodside Homes, indicated in their sales documents that the following features were common to all homes the community. However, many items have, in fact, been upgraded or changed by the current owners. Therefore, potential buyers are always advised to verify any information that is material to their interests and might affect their decision to purchase a property in this community.
Memorable Exteriors
- Distinctive southwest inspired architecture
- Durable concrete barrel tile roof with bird stops
- Low maintenance stucco exterior
- Decorative tan windows with front elevation grids
- Concealed air conditioning & heating units
- Masonry fence with cedar gate
- Coach lighted entries
- Embossed steel weather resistant roll-up garage door
- Pool size lots
Richly Appointed Kitchens
- Oak cabinets with choice of finishes
- Laminate countertops with choice of color
- Self cleaning oven
- Energy saving dishwasher
- Porcelain over steel double sink with disposal
- Water line to icemaker
- Large pantries on selected plans
- Designer white appliances
- Lazy Susan
Energy Savers
- Interior Fire Sprinkler system
- Energy Advantage home
- R19 rated walls and R30 ceiling insulation
- High efficient cooling and heating system
- Weather stripping on all exterior doors
- Dual(pane) glazed tinted windows
- 50 gallon efficient gas water heater
- 200 amp electrical service
- Gas dryer hook-up
- 220 volt hookup for electric dryer
Other Special Features
- 10 year warranty protection plan
- Smoke detectors
- Dead bolts on exterior doors
- Front Yard landscaping with drip system
- Garage prewire for door opener
- Bay window
- Richly Detailed Interiors
- Impressive ceramic tile entries
- Designer plant shelves
- Dramatic vaulted or volume ceilings
- Interior laundry room
- Quality wall to wall carpeting
- Decorator no wax floors in kitchens and baths
- Two prewires each for telephone and cable TV
- Walk-in closets
- Decorator selected light fixtures
- Hand textured ceilings
- Polished brass lever hardware
- Rounded drywall corners (per plan)
- Pre-wire for ceiling fans in master bedroom and family room
- Designer interior doors
- Sante Fe Hand textured drywall
- Rocker switches
Elegant Baths
- Luxurious master baths with double lavatories
- “Rolex” Moen faucets in master bath and powder rooms
- Cultured marble surrounds for showers and baths
- Cultured marble vanity top and bowls
- Expansive plate glass mirror
- Full size vanity mirror
- Handy built-in medicine cabinets
- Compartmented room for water closet in master bath
This page contains number of maps that may be helpful in understanding more about this community.
The map on the top left shows where in McDowell Mountain Ranch the community is located. Just to the right of that is an aerial view provided by the digital map center of the city of scottsdale which should provide you with an interesting perspective on the community. The last two are an actual street map and the builder’s original site plan. Click to enlarge maps.
