Return to Azatlan Educational Hike.  Azatlan is the contemporary archaeological name given to a large Hohokam community that existed north of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Reservation and east of Rio Verde. Join PastFinders Don Meserve and Chris Crum for a hike through one of the largest archeological sites in central Arizona, which lies right next

Axle Grease and Hawknest Fitness Hike at Pima Dynamite Trailhead   This is a Difficult hike due to its 6.7 miles over about 3.5 hours and 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. Bathrooms and water available at

Secrets of the Preserve Educational Ride from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead:  Ready to discover more about what is in the Preserve, beside the excitement of a trail riding? This is the ride for you!  Join PastFinder Franco Farina to explore the Preserve's recent ranching history and the ancient way of life of the Native American in a

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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