Women’s Bike Ride

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

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

East End Fitness Hike

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

East End Fitness Hike at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead This Very Difficult hike takes us up Tom’s Thumb Trail and down the steep East End Trail with its switchbacks and beautiful views. Then returns via the same trails.  It will take us about 4 hours to cover the about 6.4 miles with climbs over of over

Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator

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

Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator at Pima Dynamite Trailhead  Spend about 2 hours on an easy hike with Madison Barasha, the Natural Resources Coordinator, as she 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

Stoneman Road Educational Hike

Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ

Stoneman Road Educational Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead The Stoneman Road was created as an “expressway” between Ft. McDowell and Ft. Whipple (near Prescott) in the 1870's. Join PastFinders Len Marcisz and Chris Crum as we walk portions of the actual route and discuss its origin, namesake and value to our history. This is a Moderate

Granite Mtn. Loop and Balanced Rock

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

Granite Mountain and Balanced Rock from 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 3.5 hours to cover 6.5 miles. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please.  Arrive

Arthropods of the Desert Family Educational Hike

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

Arthropods of the Sonoran Desert Family Educational Hike at Gateway Trailhead  Scorpions, Spiders, Bees and Wasps are just the beginning – there are more species of Arthropods in the world than any other group of animals. Join Dr. Rich Cochran on this easy approximately 2 mile walk to discover the fascinating and diverse world of

Stagecoach, West Express, Malpais Fitness Hike

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

Stagecoach, West Express, Malpais Fitness Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. This Very Difficult hike goes to some of the newer northern trails of Stagecoach, Western Express and Malpais See several of the iconic granite formations in the preserve.  This hike is rated Difficult because it is 10 miles in about 5 hours. Experienced hikers suggested.

Cowpoke-Granite Mtn. & Bootlegger Fitness Hike

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

Cowpoke-Granite Mtn. & Bootlegger Fitness hike from Granite Mt Trailhead. This Moderate hike covers some beautiful areas of the eastern preserve with some of the most impressive Saguaro stands in the preserve.  4.5 miles over about 3 hours. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please.  Arrive

Trailside Naturalist Station: Reptiles

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 reptiles of the Sonoran desert, their unique behavior, eating habits and benefit to the ecosystem

Bike the North Trails at Pima Dynamite

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

Bike the New North Trails at Pima Dynamite Trailhead.  Experience the more technical new trails in the north of the Preserve. This is an Advanced skill and Vigorous Cardio level ride for 12-15 miles in 3- 3.5 hours. We will explore some of the more aggressive recent additions to the northwest trails in the Preserve.

Dixie Mine, Prospector, Windmill Fitness Hike

Golden Eagle/Dixie Mine Trailhead 14425 E. Golden Eagle Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ

Dixie Mine, Prospector, Windmill Area Fitness Hike from Golden Eagle Trailhead. This vigorous Very Difficult hike offers spectacular scenery on the seldom seen eastern preserve.  It covers 10 miles in about 5 hours with elevation changes of over 2000 ft. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail and even a lunch. 

Windgate Pass/Bell Pass Loop Fitness Hike

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

Windgate Pass/Bell Pass Loop Fitness Hike from Gateway Trailhead. Ready for a great workout? Then this Very Difficult hike in the heart of the southern McDowells is for you. We go to Windgate Pass and around to Bell Pass before returning to the trailhead. 9.5 miles for about 5 hours with over 2000ft. of elevation

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

Hike with Natural Resource 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

Thirty Miler from Pima Dynamite

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

Thirty Miler from Pima Dynamite Trailhead.  This ride is longer and more intense than our normal rides.  It will be 4.5-5 hours and cover 30 miles with a Skill level of Intermediate and a Cardio level of Vigorous in the north eastern area of the preserve. All our rides are “No Drop”, meaning we will

Sonoran Sundays: Geology

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

One of the geologists who was instrumental in the discovery of the Marcus Landslide in the McDowell Mountains, Brian Gottee will be sharing on the unique rock forms and geology of the region. Brian’s fun and educational presentation will offer interesting insights on the geological history and evolution of the McDowell Mountains.

Hike with Natural Resource Coordinator

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

Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator at Pima Dynamite Trailhead  Spend about 2 hours on an easy hike with Madison Barasha, the Natural Resources Coordinator, as she 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 Explorer East Fitness Hike

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

High Desert Explorer East  Fitness Hike from Granite Mt Trailhead.  This Very Difficult hike explores some of the trails in the remote northeast section of the preserve such as Bootlegger, Granite Mt. Loop and Branding Iron, High Desert, Renegade trails.  For Experienced hikers.  5.5 hours covering 10 miles with lots of rolling hills.  Bathrooms available

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

Nature as Therapy

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

Nature as Therapy Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead    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