Phenology: Introduction to Plant Phenology Educational Walk at Gateway Trailhead

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ

Phenology: Introduction to Plant Phenology Educational Walk at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours This leisurely walk along the Gateway Bajada Trail will introduce the study of the phases of plant reproduction, how and why the data are collected, and how

Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine & Black Hill Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead

Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ

Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine & Black Hill Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~4.5 miles Time: ~2 hours This hike has a moderate uphill portion on the north side of Fraesfield Mountain with nice views of Granite Mountain and beyond, but the

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead

Tom’s Thumb Trailhead 23015 N. 128th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Tom's Thumb Trailhead Spend about 2 hours on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various desert topics are discussed. The material will depend on what we see in this wonderful environment. Location: Tom’s Thumb Trailhead – 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255

Wildflower Educational Walk at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead

Tom’s Thumb Trailhead 23015 N. 128th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Wildflower Educational Walk at Tom's Thumb Trailhead Location: Tom's Thumb Trailhead - 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 Skill level: Easy Distance: ~1 mile Time: ~2 hours Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join us on this easy walk to discover the incredible variety

Secrets of the Preserve Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead

Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ

Secrets of the Preserve Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Ready to discover more about what is in the Preserve? This is an experience for you! Join us to explore the Preserve’s hidden treasures, from the plants and

Ride Hawknest and Axle Grease at Pima Dynamite Trailhead

Pima Dynamite Trailhead 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Ride Hawknest and Axle Grease at Pima Dynamite Trailhead Location: Pima Dynamite Trailhead - 28777 N Pima Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate Distance: ~15 miles Time: ~3 hours Join us on this ride up Axle Grease to West Express, Hawknest, and Basalt Ridge, ending with an exciting flowy downhill on Hawknest back to

Lecture- Dozen Ways to Die in the Desert at Mustang Library

Scottsdale Public Library - Mustang Library 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

There are many unusual ways in which humans end up ten toes in the air in the middle of the Sonoran Desert.  This presentation and audience discussion provide information on how to deal with rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, scorpions, mountain lions, bees, heat stroke, hypothermia, and the occasional hostile cactus, just to name a few.  The

Wildflower Educational Hike at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead

Tom’s Thumb Trailhead 23015 N. 128th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Wildflower Educational Hike at Tom's Thumb Trailhead Location: Tom's Thumb Trailhead - 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~4 miles Time: ~3.5 hours Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join our knowledgeable stewards on this hike to discover the incredible

Desert 101 North Educational Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead

Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Desert 101 North Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran

Granite Mountain Loop Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead

Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Granite Mountain Loop Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~6 miles Time: ~3 hours This is one of the classic paths in the Preserve and a side trip to Balanced Rock. Experienced hikers suggested. Pets are not permitted at our

Ride to the Crested Saguaros at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead

Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Ride to the Crested Saguaros at Brown's Ranch Trailhead  Ever notice the crested saguaros in the Preserve? Come ride with us to see a large number scattered throughout the north. This is an advanced skill and vigorous cardio ride. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate

CANCELLED- Ride Geology 201 (Int.) from Tom’s Thumb Trailhead

Tom’s Thumb Trailhead 23015 N. 128th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Ride Geology 201 (Int.) from Tom's Thumb Trailhead This ride leaves from Tom's Thumb Trailhead and heads into the McDowell Mountain County Park to view the landslide from a different perspective.  This will be a 10-12 mile, intermediate level, high cardio ride over about 3 hours. Location: Tom's Thumb Trailhead - 23015 N 128th St,

Ride the Heart of the North at Granite Mountain Trailhead

Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Ride the Heart of the North at Granite Mountain Trailhead Skill level: Intermediate Distance: ~12 miles Time: ~3.5 hours This woman’s bike ride is an intermediate skill level ride and moderate cardio. This ride is perfect for women or those who identify as women. It is a step up in intensity from the previous Woman’s

Desert 101 South Educational Walk at Gateway Trailhead

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ

Desert 101 South Educational Walk at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and

Trailside Naturalist – Big Cats in the Preserve at Gateway Trailhead

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ

Trailside Naturalist – Big Cats in the Preserve at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead Time: ~2.5 hours Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to learn about mountain lions that live in the Preserve. Mountain Lions, also known in North America as the puma, cougar, catamount or panther live in the Preserve. They are

Gateway Loop Hike at Gateway Trailhead

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ

Gateway Loop Hike at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~4.5 miles | Time: ~2.5 hours Finish out our hike season on the Gateway Loop that will take you into the heart of the McDowells. Challenging in the spring heat. Elevation gain of

Ride the Divide at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead

Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Ride the Divide at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 Alma School Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate Distance: ~16 miles Time: ~3 hours Ride to the trails from the east side of Cholla Mountain to the Divide Trail on the north. We will travel to Hawknest Trail where we start

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Granite Mountain Trailhead

Tom’s Thumb Trailhead 23015 N. 128th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Granite Mountain Trailhead Spend about 2 hours on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various desert topics are discussed. The material will depend on what we see in this wonderful environment. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead – 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262

Lecture- Photographing Nature in the Desert at Mustang Library

Scottsdale Public Library - Mustang Library 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Lecture- Photographing Nature in the Desert at Mustang Library Location: Mustang Library - 10101 N 90th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Join award-winning photographer Kathryn Dannay to learn how to improve your desert photography. Focusing on photographing nature, Kathryn will review composition guidelines, and then walk through the different nuances of photographing landscapes, versus flora versus

Tour de Scottsdale Packet Pickup at WestWorld of Scottsdale

Westworld of Scottsdale 15939 N. 98th St., Scottsdale, AZ

Tour de Scottsdale Packet Pickup and Kickoff Event at WestWorld of Scottsdale The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy is bringing back the Tour de Scottsdale. After a short hiatus due to COVID, this prestigious annual event, originally developed by DC Ranch, will host cyclists from all over the globe as they embark on a thrilling journey through