Lifecycle of the Saguaro

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

Lifecycle of the Saguaro Education Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead Native only to the Sonoran Desert, these giant cacti are a sight to see! Join PastFinders Don Brockway and Chris Crum to follow the growth of a Saguaro from seed to skeleton and view multi-armed, old Saguaros. This Moderate hike covers 4 miles in about

Marcus Landslide Educational Ride

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

Marcus Landslide Educational Ride from Tom’s Thumb Trailhead We will ride to Marcus Landslide and into the County Park to see the landslide from various viewpoints.  This Intermediate Skills and Vigorous Cardio ride covers some significant elevation changes over 3.5 hours.  However, there will be numerous stops to discuss and observe the geology of the

Sonoran Sundays: Arthropods

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

Master Steward Rich Cochran will present an in-depth talk on some of the fascinating insects and  arachnids that inhabit our Sonoran Desert. An expert on arthropods, Rich will provide an up-close look  at some fun and interesting species from his vast collection, including a Tarantula Wasp, a Giant Desert  Hairy Scorpion, and more.

Desert Origins and Adaptations Educational Hike

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

Desert Origins and Adaptations Educational Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. Why is the Sonoran Desert here?  Join Frank Romaglia as he examines how climate and geomorphology interact to create a desert. He’ll compare and contrast North American deserts, then focus on our Sonoran home and some adaptations necessary to survive this harsh environment. This Moderate

Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator

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

Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator at Granite Mountain Trailhead  Spend about 2 hours on an easy hike with John Loleit, the Natural Resources Coordinator, as he discusses various pertinent topics while hiking in the desert.  The material will depend on the season, animals, plants, and will cover whatever is happening in this wonderful environment.   Bathrooms

High Desert – Broken Spoke – Hawksnest – Buckshot Trails

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

High Desert, Broken Spoke, Hawknest and Buckshot Trails Fitness Hike from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead This Very Difficult hike will allow you to explore some of the remote trails in the northwest area of the Preserve. 9.3 miles for about 5 hours with rolling hills. Experience hikers suggested.  Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water, snacks,

Trailside Naturalist Station: Predators

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

Stop by the Trailside Naturalist station at the Gateway Trailhead between 9-11 A.M. to learn about the various predators found in the Preserve.

Sunrise Peak from Lost Dog Wash Fitness Hike

Lost Dog Wash Trailhead 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Sunrise Peak from Lost Dog Trailhead Fitness Hike  This Very Difficult Hike travels the beautiful and challenging west side of Sunrise Peak up to a great 360-degree view of the Valley of the Sun. Experienced hikers suggested. 6.2 miles in about 3.5 hours with elevation gain over 1,300 ft. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic

Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ

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

Gateway to TT9 Overlook Fitness Hike

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

Gateway to Tom’s Thumb TT9 Overlook Fitness Hike from Gateway Trailhead.   This Very Difficult hike takes us to the seldom visited vistas west of Tom’s Thumb that makes you think you are in the Grand Canyon.  9.6 miles in about 5-6 hours with a big climb of 2100 ft! Bathrooms at the trailhead.  Bring water

Mistletoe and Holly Educational Hike

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

Mistletoe & Holly Educational Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead What do desert plants and animals have to do with the holidays? Join PastFinder Franco Farina on an Easy hike and discover the hidden, festive desert connections. 3 miles over about 2.5 hours with minimal elevation gain. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks

Fraesfield to Balanced Rock Fitness Hike

Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ

Fraesfield Trailhead to Balanced Rock Fitness Hike.  This Very Difficult hike will take us on a long journey thru the flatter part of the preserve to the amazing granite balancing rock formation. 10 miles over 4.5 hours.  Bring snacks and a lunch.  Experienced hikers suggested.  Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks

Ride the Gooseneck

Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ

Ride the Gooseneck from Fraesfield Trailhead.  This easier ride is a great sequel to the Skills Clinic.  The ride is low Intermediate Skills and Moderate Cardio level ride. It will travel over the flatter areas of the Gooseneck. The first ½ mile of the ride requires intermediate skills, but it is smooth sailing for the

Christmas Day Fitness Hike

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

Christmas Day Hike Fitness 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. Bathrooms available at the

Vaquero – Whiskey Bottle – LatigoTrails Fitness Hike

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

Vaquero, Whiskey Bottle & Latigo Fitness Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead  This hike on three picturesque trails will take you to a crested saguaro and then continue through a diverse landscape. Moderate hike of 5 miles for about 2.5 hours. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please.

Gateway TH to “Silver” Bell Pass Fitness Hike

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

Gateway Trailhead  to “Silver” Bell Pass Fitness Hike.  Celebrate the coming New Year on this Very Difficult but rewarding hike! Experienced Hikers suggested. The views along this challenging path will make the miles go faster. 7.2 miles in about 4 hours and gains 1,500 ft. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water, snacks and even

Jane Rau Trail Walk

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

Jane Rau Trail Educational Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Join us for a leisurely walk on the awe-inspiring Jane Rau Trail. A slower pace will allow us time to stop for various discussions of the desert. Benches to sit are on the trail. About 1.5 miles over about 90 minutes.  Bathrooms available at the trailhead.

Tom’s Thumb Long Loop Fitness Hike

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

Tom’s Thumb Trailhead and Long Loop Fitness Hike This Very Difficult hike explores the rugged and scenic views of the preserve. End the year with a bang as 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

Marcus Landslide Fitness Hike

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

Marcus Landslide Fitness Hike at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead This Moderate hike visits the Marcus Landslide geological site, second largest landslide in Arizona. The elevation gain is 400 ft. over 4 miles in about 2.5 hours. Restrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail.  No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start

Brown’s Mtn. Cone Mtn. Loop Fitness Hike

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

Brown’s Mt & Cone Mtn. Loop Fitness Hike at Brown’s Ranch  Join us for a trip around Brown’s Mtn. and Cone Mtn. We travel on Upper Ranch, Wrangler, Brown’s Mtn., Cone Mt. and finally the scenic Latigo trail. This is a Difficult hike of 6 miles over about 3 hours with rolling ups and downs.