Name: Sonoran Sundays – Arizona Birds (Guest Presenter: Arizona Game & Fish)
Start: 2026-02-22T15:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-02-22T16:00:00+00:00
Location: Gateway Trailhead

December 2025
December 18 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am

A Meditation Walk

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

A Meditation Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead. Step away from the day to day and discover inner peace as you immerse yourself in the beauty and power of the Sonoran Desert on a mindful ½ mile journey on the gentle and beautiful Jane Rau Trail. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start of the walk. […]

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December 20 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am

True Grit – Educational Walk

Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

True Grit at Fraesfield Trailhead. Join us on a leisurely one mile, two hour walk and we will talk about what life was like for women who settled in the McDowells in the 19th and early 20th centuries making their lives with the military, working the land, ranching and in the office. Restrooms are available […]

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December 20 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Introduction to Mountain Biking: Session 3 – Graduation Ride

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

Introduction to Mountain Biking: Session 3 - Graduation Ride at Pima Dynamite Trailhead. This 10 to 12-mile ride from Pima Dynamite is for people who have completed the Introduction to Mountain Biking Sessions 1 & 2. This is an instructional ride to practice the skills taught with instruction at various points on the ride. A […]

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December 21 @ 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

Mistletoe and Holly – Educational Hike

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

Mistletoe and Holly Educational Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. What do desert plants and animals have to do with the holidays? Join us on an easy hike and discover the hidden, festive desert connections. 3 miles over about 2.5 hours with minimal elevation gain. Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks […]

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December 21 @ 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

Cathedral Rock, Amphitheater, Cholla Mountain Hike

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

Cathedral Rock, Amphitheater, Cholla Loop Hike at Brown’s Ranch. This Difficult hike will take us to several of the iconic granite formations in the preserve. 7.5 miles, 280 ft. elevation gain in about 3.5 hours. Experienced hikers suggested. Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. […]

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December 25 @ 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

Christmas Day Hike

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

Christmas Day Hike at Gateway Trailhead. Embrace the spirit of the holiday on this picturesque hike on the Gateway Loop that will take you into the heart of the McDowells. This is a moderate hike of 4.5 miles in about 2.5 hours with significant elevation gain of 700 ft. Restrooms and water available at the […]

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December 27 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sonoran Desert 101 – Educational Walk

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

Sonoran Desert 101 at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive. Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start […]

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December 28 @ 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Ride to the Crested Saguaros and Lifecycle of Saguaros

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

Ride to the Crested Saguaros and Lifecycle of the Saguaro (Int.) from Pima Dynamite Trailhead. Ever noticed the Crested Saguaros in the preserve? Come ride with us to see a large number scattered throughout the north. This 2.5 hour ride will cover 10 miles and is rated Advanced Skill and Vigorous Cardio. A bike with […]

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December 30 @ 10:00 am - 2:30 pm

Hawknest, Basalt Ridge, Cone Mountain, Latigo Hike

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

Hawknest, Basalt Ridge, Cone Mt., Latigo Trails at Pima Dynamite Trailhead. This Very Difficult hike due to its elevation gain of 322 feet and 9.7 miles over about 4.5 hours covers some rolling hills for Experienced hikers. Explore these impressive trails with nice views and granite formations. Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring […]

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January 2026
Protected: Conservancy Women Test
January 18, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sonoran Sundays – Mammals of the Sonoran Desert (Guest Presenter: Maricopa Parks and Recreation)

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

Sonoran Sundays - Mammals of the Sonoran Desert (Guest Presenter: Maricopa Parks and Recreation) Want to learn more about the Sonoran Desert’s amazing mammals? Would you like some tips to increase your chances of seeing wildlife while hiking? Then you’re going to want to join Ranger Kevin of Maricopa Parks and Recreation for a closer […]
February 2026
February 22, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sonoran Sundays – Arizona Birds (Guest Presenter: Arizona Game & Fish)

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

Arizona Birds (Guest Presenter: Arizona Game & Fish) Arizona Birds is a program that educates the public about the various raptors that can be found here, whether as permanent residents or migrating through the state. The program focuses on their natural history and best places to find them in the wild. Nancy Kreuder, Wildlife Education […]

A Meditation Walk

True Grit – Educational Walk

Introduction to Mountain Biking: Session 3 – Graduation Ride

Mistletoe and Holly – Educational Hike

Christmas Day Hike

Sonoran Desert 101 – Educational Walk

Ride to the Crested Saguaros and Lifecycle of Saguaros

Protected: Conservancy Women Test

Sonoran Sundays – Mammals of the Sonoran Desert (Guest Presenter: Maricopa Parks and Recreation)

Sonoran Sundays – Arizona Birds (Guest Presenter: Arizona Game & Fish)

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