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

Trailside Naturalist Station: Arthropods

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

Spiders, scorpions, and bugs!  Did you know that about 84% of all animals are arthropods?  Stop by the Trailside Naturalist station at the Gateway Trailhead between 9-11 A.M. to learn about the fascinating world of arthropods.

Crested Saguaro Ride

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

Crested Saguaro Ride from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.   Ever noticed the Crested Saguaros in the preserve?  Come ride with us to see a large number scattered throughout the north.  This 3.5 hour ride will cover more than 10 miles and is rated Advanced Skill and Vigorous Cardio.  A bike with wide knobby tires is required.  Please,

Bird Walk

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

Bird Walk From Brown’s Ranch Trailhead  Join Kathe Anderson and Rick Pearce to view our year-round resident birds, we may see some that spend the winter in our area. Possible sightings include: phainopepla, ruby-crowned kinglet, black-tailed gnatcatcher or northern mockingbird. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail.  No dogs please. Bring

All About Arizona

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

All About Arizona Educational Hike from Lost Dog Trailhead  This hike is a celebration of Arizona.  The state flower, state tree, state mineral, and more.  Join BJ Tatro on this Moderate hike with beautiful views and some uphill sections with rocky terrain. 3 miles over about 3 hours. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water

Crested Saguaro Fitness Hike

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

Crested Saguaro Fitness Hike from Granite Mt Trailhead  Join us on this Very Difficult hike as we cruise by a large number of crested saguaro cactus.  This hike is for experience hikers and will cover 10.6 miles in about 5.5 hours.  Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water, snacks and even a lunch for

Diablo Trails Explorer Fitness Hike

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

Diablo Trails Explorer Fitness Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. This Very Difficult hike will head to the North and South Diablo trails. There will be stops at Cathedral Rock and the Amphitheater along the way. Experienced hikers suggested.  About 5 hours to cover 10.5 miles on rolling terrain.  Bathrooms are available at the trailhead.. Bring