McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator
2022-04-27 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Spend 1 to 1.5 hours on an easy hike with John Loleit and Madison Barasha, Natural Resources Coordinators for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. They will share their knowledge about the Preserve and the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs, please. Arrive 15 minutes before the start of the hike.

Trailside Naturalist
2022-04-25 09:00 - 11:30 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Stop by the Trailside Naturalist station at Gateway Trailhead between 9-11:30 A.M. to learn about the diverse plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. Our steward guides will have fascinating displays and lots of fun facts to share. Featuring reptiles, arthropods, packrats, and cacti! Bathrooms and water are available at the trailhead.

Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator
2022-04-25 08:00 - 09:30 | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator at Pima Dynamite Trailhead Spend 1 to 1.5 hours on an easy hike with John Loleit and Madison Barasha, Natural Resources Coordinators for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. They will share their knowledge about the Preserve and the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs, please. Arrive 15 minutes before the start of the hike.

Nature as Therapy Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead
2022-04-24 08:00 - 09:30 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Learn why time in nature makes us happier, healthier, and more creative. An easy 1.5 hour walk at Brown’s Trailhead where Toni Vallee and Max Sukenik will teach you how to use nature as a prescription to improve your overall well being. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Lifecycle of the Saguaro Education Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead
2022-04-23 08:00 - 09:30 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Lifecycle of the Saguaro Educational Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. Native only to the Sonoran Desert, these giant cacti are a sight to see! Join Legacy Steward Marsha Lipps and Master Steward Roger Riepe to follow the growth of a Saguaro from seed to skeleton and view multi-armed, old Saguaros. This walk covers about 1.5 hours on the Jane Rau Interpretive Trail. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic
2022-04-16 08:00 - 11:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Mountain Bike Skills Clinic at Fraesfield Trailhead New to mountain biking? Looking to refresh your skills, improve your technique, enhance safety awareness and increase your overall enjoyment on the trails? Then come prepared with a mountain bike with knobby tires, helmet, water, and snacks. We begin with a demonstration and presentation by experienced riders covering the basic things you need to know, equipment requirements and trail etiquette.
The instructional segment will meet in the Equestrian parking area and be followed by a short, guided ride of 3 to 5 miles, where you can practice the techniques discussed. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, folding bikes, or electric assist bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Allow 3 hours for this introductory/refresher event. Bring water and snacks for the trail. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.

Bird Walk
2022-04-16 08:00 - 10:00 | Arizona
Bird Walk at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead Join Kathe Anderson and Rick Pearce for about 2 hours to see some of our area’s full-time resident birds, it also gives us a chance to see spring migrants, for example: Wilson’s, Lucy’s, Townsend’s, or yellow warbler, or summer residents white-winged dove, turkey vulture or ash-throated flycatcher. Restrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs please. Bring your binoculars. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Gateway Loop Fitness Hike
2022-04-10 07:30 - 10:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Gateway Loop Fitness Hike from Gateway Trailhead. Finish out our fitness hike season on the Gateway Loop that will take you into the heart of the McDowells. This Moderately difficult hike covers 4.5 miles, gains 700ft and takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. Challenging in the spring heat. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Trailside Naturalist - Wildflowers
2022-04-09 09:00 - 11:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
In the spring, the desert pops in a rainbow of colorful wildflowers. Stop by the Trailside Naturalist Station at Gateway Trailhead between 9:00 and 11:00 am to learn about the various blooms and plants you may see on your hike.

Women's Bike Ride
2022-04-05 07:30 - 11:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Women’s Bike Ride from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. This all woman’s bike ride is an Intermediate Skill level ride and Moderate Cardio. This is a step up in intensity from the previous Woman’s Ride. It is a “No Drop” ride meaning no one will be left behind. Plan on about 3 hours to cover approximately 12 miles. A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, folding bikes, or electric assist bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks. There are restrooms at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.

Latigo, Cone Mountain Loop Fitness Hike
2022-04-05 07:30 - 10:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Latigo, Cone Mountain Loop Fitness Hike from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead This scenic loop hike is rated Moderate but has some ups and downs needing about 2.5-3 hours to cover 4.2 miles. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Please bring plenty of water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Geology Educational Ride
2022-04-01 07:30 - 10:30 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Geology Educational Ride from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead When, how and why did all those different rocks get into the Preserve? How about our own earthquake fault? This Intermediate Skills and Moderate Cardio Ride for about 3 hours over 11-12 miles will take us thru the various geological formations of the area. Get the big picture on a bike. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, folding bikes, or electric assist bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks. Restrooms at the trailhead. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start.

Granite Mountain Loop Fitness Hike
2022-04-01 07:30 - 10:30 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Granite Mountain Loop Fitness Hike at Granite Mt Trailhead Join us on this difficult hike on one of the classic paths in the preserve and a side trip to Balanced Rock. About 3 hours to cover 6 miles. Experience hikers suggested. Restrooms available at trailhead. Please being plenty of water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Wildflower Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead
2022-03-30 08:00 - 09:30 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Prefer a wildflower walk to a wildflower hike? Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join Marsha Lipps on this easy walk to discover the incredible variety of flowers on the spectacular Jane Rau Interpretive Trail. 1 mile over about 1.5 hours. YES, this walk is on the same day, at the same TH, at the same start time, as the Wildflower hike. This offering is for groups with different levels of interest/capabilities but want to share, with each other, the beautiful memories of what they encounter. Restrooms at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the hike.

Wildflower Educational Hike
2022-03-30 07:30 - 11:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Wildflower Educational Hike from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Join botanist Steve Jones on this Moderate hike as you learn to identify and gain knowledge about the Sonoran Desert’s beautiful wildflowers. 4 miles in about 3 hours with rolling terrain. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Sonoran Sundays: Wild at Heart Raptor Rescue
2022-03-27 15:00 - 16:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Steve Thomas and Judy Agie from Wild at Heart, a local raptor rescue organization, will provide an upclose encounter with several rescued birds of prey. Learn why these remarkable birds are rescued, how
they can be rehabilitated and released back into the wild, and what can be done to protect them and
their natural habitats.

Desert 101 Educational Walk
2022-03-27 08:00 - 09:30 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Desert 101 Educational Walk at Gateway Trailhead. Think the desert is a barren wasteland? Think again. Join Legacy Steward Marsha Lipps on a leisurely walk on the Bajada trail with frequent stops to discuss the wonders of the desert. About 1.5 hours for a distance of about 1.5 miles. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Trailside Naturalist Station: Packrats
2022-03-26 09:00 - 11:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Sonoran Desert packrats have been collecting and preserving things found on the ground for 40,000 years! Stop by the Trailside Naturalist Station at the Gateway Trailhead between 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. to learn how ancient packrats and their distinctive behavior assist today’s scientists who study the history of desert plants, animals, geology and climate.

New Trails at Pima Dynamite Trailhead
2022-03-26 08:00 - 12:30 | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
New Trails Fitness Hike at Pima Dynamite Trailhead This Very Difficult hike due to its 9 miles over about 4.5 hours covers some rolling hills for Experienced hikers. Explore the impressive new trails with nice views and granite formations. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike. Bring water, snacks and even a lunch for the trail. No dogs please.

Hunters/Gatherers Educational Hike
2022-03-24 08:00 - 10:30 | Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, United States
Hunter/Gatherers Educational Hike from Lost Dog Trailhead Join PastFinder Don Meserve, expert Archaeologist as he recreates the challenges of the Archaic hunter and gatherer thriving in the Sonoran Desert 2,000 years ago. See important desert flora and fauna, hunting sites and their importance to the survival of an Archaic band. This Moderate hike covers 3 miles over about 2.5 hours with some elevation gain. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Bike Ride With Natural Resources Coordinator
2022-03-24 08:00 - 10:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Bike Ride with Natural Resources Coordinator at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. Ride to some great places with John Loleit as he discusses the wonders of the desert preserve. This Beginner+ Skills and Moderate Cardio ride will have numerous stops but still cover 6 miles in 2 hours. Seeing it from a bike gives you a bigger perspective. A bike with wide knobby tires is
required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, folding bikes, or electric assist bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks. Restrooms at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of bike ride.

Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine & Black Hill Fitness Hike
2022-03-23 08:00 - 11:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine & Black Hill Fitness Hike from Fraesfield Trailhead This Difficult hike has a moderate uphill portion on the north side of Fraesfield Mountain with nice views of Granite Mountain and beyond, but the remainder of the hike covers relatively level terrain. 6.1 miles for about 3 hours. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Women's Bike Ride
2022-03-20 08:00 - 11:30 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Women’s Bike Ride from Granite Mountain Trailhead. This all woman’s bike ride is a Intermediate Skill level ride and Vigorous Cardio around the Granite mountain loop and beyond. This is again a step up in intensity from the previous Woman’s Ride. It is a “No Drop” ride meaning no one will be left behind. Plan on about 3 hours to cover approximately 15 miles. A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, folding bikes, or electric assist bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks. Restrooms at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.

Balanced Rock and Whiskey Bottle Fitness Hike
2022-03-19 08:00 - 11:30 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Balanced Rock and Whiskey Bottle Fitness Hike at Granite Mt Trailhead This Difficult hike will go to Balanced Rock along the very scenic south side of Granite Mtn. We will then hike to the Whiskey Bottle trail and return via the Turpentine Trail. Experienced hikers suggested. 7.3 miles in about 3.5 hours over rolling hills. Bathrooms at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Wildflower Educational Hike
2022-03-18 08:00 - 10:00 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Wildflower Educational Hike from Granite Mt Trailhead. Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join Steve Dodd and Roger Riepe on this Moderate hike to discover the incredible variety of flowers in this area of the preserve. 3 miles over about 2 hours. Restrooms at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike. Location: Granite Mtn. Trailhead.

Kovach Family Trail Walk
2022-03-18 08:00 - 09:30 | Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, United States
Kovach Family Trail Walk from Lost Dog Trailhead. Join us for a leisurely walk on the beautiful Kovach Family Trail. A slower pace over 0.7 mile will allow us time to stop for various discussions of the desert. Allow 1-1.5 hours. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Tom's Thumb Trailhead and Long Loop Fitness Hike
2022-03-17 08:00 - 13:00 | Arizona
This very difficult hike explores the rugged and scenic views of the Preserve. We will go up Tom’s Thumb to East End and return via the McDowell Regional Park. In 9.3 miles, there is over 1,500 ft. elevation change in about 5 hours. Bring a snack or light lunch and water for the trail. There are bathrooms at the trailhead. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Wildflower Educational Walk from Brown's Ranch Trailhead
2022-03-16 08:00 - 09:30 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join Marsha Lipps on this easy walk to discover the incredible variety of flowers in the spectacular Jane Rau Interpretive Trail. 1 mile over about 1.5 hours. Restrooms at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the hike.

Bird Walk
2022-03-15 08:00 - 10:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Bird Walk from Fraesfield Trailhead Join Kathe Anderson and Rick Pearce for about 2 hours to see some of our area’s full-time resident birds. It also gives us a chance to see spring migrants, for example: Wilson’s, Lucy’s, Townsend’s, or yellow warbler, or early summer residents white-winged dove, turkey vulture or ash-throated flycatcher. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs please. Bring your binoculars. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Gateway to Windgate Pass Fitness Hike
2022-03-14 08:00 - 12:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Gateway to Windgate Pass Fitness Hike from Gateway Trailhead Head up to Windgate Pass on this Very Difficult hike with a visit to Inspiration Viewpoint. Along the way, you may see some wildflowers that only grow at higher elevations such as the Mariposa Lily. 7.5 miles over about 3.5 – 4 hours with elevation gain of 1,300 ft. Experience hikers suggested. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
