McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Nature as Therapy
2021-11-14 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Nature as Therapy Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Lost your mojo? Not as creative as you used to be? Do you have a feeling of malaise? Join Toni Vallee and Katy Lindberg on a 1.5 hour easy walk where we provide tools and a prescription to help you use nature to improve your happiness, creativity and health. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Bird Walk
2021-11-14 08:00 - 10:00 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Bird Walk at Granite Mountain Trailhead Join Kathe Anderson and Rick Pearce on this 2 hour walk for a good chance to see some of our year-round bird residents such as: cactus wren, gila woodpecker, ladder-backed woodpecker, Harris’s hawk, Verdin or Say’s Phoebe – as well as some seasonal arrivals. Bathrooms at trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs, please. Bring your binoculars. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Celebration Hike at Pima Dynamite
2021-11-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Join us in the celebration of the Grand Opening of the new Pima/Dynamite Trailhead by enjoying a hike to see the nearby majestic crested saguaro “up close and personal.” This short 2.5 mile, 1 hour hike will also afford opportunities for other scenic views this trailhead has in abundance: stately saguaros, majestic boulder formations and views of Cone Mountain and Pinnacle Peak. Restroom facilities and water are available at the trailhead. Bring water and a snack for the trail. No dogs please.
Starting time is approximate after the speakers’ presentations.

Lost Dog to Andrews - Kinsey Trail Fitness Hike
2021-11-13 08:00 - 13:00 | Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, United States
Lost Dog to Andrews-Kinsey Trail Fitness Hike at Lost Dog Trailhead This is a Very Difficult Hike for experienced hikers because it will climb 1,200 ft. to a saddle and then continue on the Andrews-Kinsey Trail to a spectacular view overlooking the Fountain Hills Preserve. Distance: 7.8 miles. Duration: about 5 hours. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water, snacks and even a lunch for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Ride from Granite Mountain Trailhead
2021-11-12 08:00 - 11:30 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Ride from Granite Mountain Trailhead Come on out and join a ride with us from Granite Mountain . We’ll ride through Coyote Canyon with beautiful swooping terrain and views you may never have known were there. See how you can connect these trails and others together to enjoy a completely awesome ride! We will cover approximately 13 miles in 3-3.5 hours. This is an Intermediate Skills and Moderate Cardio ride. All our rides are “No Drop”, meaning we will not leave you. A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, folding bikes, or electric assist bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks. Restrooms available at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.

Vaquero-Whiskey Bottle-Latigo Trails Fitness Hike
2021-11-12 08:00 - 10:30 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
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. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Veterans Day Hike
2021-11-11 08:00 - 10:30 | Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, United States
Veterans Day Hike at Lost Dog Trailhead To honor our Veterans, a Moderate loop on gently rolling terrain is planned. We will hold a special ceremony at the trailhead at the end of the hike. Join Len Marcisz for 3 miles over about 2.5 hours with elevation gain of about 250 ft. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water for and snacks the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Trailside Naturalist - Reptiles
2021-11-06 09:00 - 11:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
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.

Desert Park to Gateway Loop Fitness Hike
2021-11-06 08:00 - 11:30 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Desert Park to Gateway Loop Fitness Hike at Gateway Trailhead. This Difficult hike will travel through the Silverleaf community, the Windgate Trail and then a short, steep climb to the Gateway Saddle with its great views. 6.8 miles with elevation gain of 700 ft over about 3.5 hours. For experienced hikers. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic
2021-11-04 08:00 - 11:00, 2021-10-09 08:00 - 11:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
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 the basic things you need to know, equipment requirements and trail etiquette.
The instructional segment will be followed by a short, guided ride of 3 to 5 miles, where you can practice the techniques discussed. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, folding bikes, or electric assist bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Allow 3 hours for this introductory/refresher event. Bring water and snacks for the trail. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.

Inspiration Viewpoint Fitness Hike
2021-10-31 08:00 - 11:30 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Inspiration Viewpoint Fitness Hike at Gateway Trailhead. Get your heart pumping on this Very Difficult hike up to an amazing overlook through gradual inclines with a few steep sections. 6 miles with elevation gain of 900 ft. for about 3.5 hours to trail marker WP5. For experienced hikers. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Feldspar and Mesquite Loop Fitness Walk
2021-10-30 08:00 - 09:30 | AZ
Feldspar Mesquite Loop Walk Join us for a leisurely walk in the areas below Tom’s Thumb. Slower pace and frequent stops with time to admire the great views and treasures on the ground as well as discussions about desert topics. 1.2 miles for about 1.5 hours with stops. Bathroom facilities at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

New Trails Fitness Hike at Pima Dynamite Trailhead
2021-10-29 08:00 - 12:30 | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
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 the trail. No dogs please.

Bowtie Fitness Hike
2021-10-27 08:00 - 12:00 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Bowtie Fitness Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead This is a Very Difficult hike of 7.5 miles over 4 hours. Discover the variety of trails in the northeast section of the Preserve. Experience the lush beauty of Barb’s Trail and the splendor of Bootlegger Trail along the east side of Granite Mountain. For experienced hikers. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please.

Patrol the Stoneman Road Educational Ride
2021-10-26 08:00 - 11:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
The Stoneman Road was a military road created in 1870, connecting Ft. McDowell and Ft. Whipple. Remnants of the road remain in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Join Franco Farina to learn the story of the road and the people who made it, while we patrol portions of the actual route. This is an Intermediate Skill and Moderate Cardio level ride of about 14 miles over 3 hours. A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, folding bikes, or electric assist bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks for the trail.
Restrooms are at the trail head. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start.

North Fraesfield Fitness Hike
2021-10-25 08:00 - 11:30 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
North Fraesfield Fitness Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead This Difficult hike has a moderate rocky uphill portion on the north side of Fraesfield Mountain, but the remainder of the hike covers relatively flat terrain. Experience hikers suggested. Plan 3.5 hours for 7 miles. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please.

Ride from Pima Dynamite Trailhead
2021-10-22 08:00 - 11:30 | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Ride from Pima Dynamite Trailhead The Pima Dynamite has many magnificent biking trails. We’d love to have you join us for a fun approximately 12.5 mile adventure in these trails. The downhill back to the trailhead will have you coming back here soon! This is an Intermediate Skills and Moderate Cardio ride. All our rides are “No Drop”, meaning we will not leave you. Allow 3.5 hours. A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, folding bikes, or electric assist bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks. Restrooms available at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.

Brown's Mountain Summit Fitness Hike
2021-10-21 08:00 - 11:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Brown’s Mountain Summit Fitness Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead This Difficult hike climbs to the Summit of Brown’s Mountain and returns via the west side and Upper Ranch Trail. Experienced hikers only. 4.5 miles with elevation of 600 ft. to the summit over 3 hours. Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please.

Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator
2021-10-19 08:00 - 10:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator at Fraesfield 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 available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Bird Walk
2021-10-12 08:00 - 10:00 | AZ
Bird Walk at Quartz Trailhead Join Kathe Anderson and Rick Pearce on this easy hike of 2 miles over rocky trail. In addition to seeing our year-round bird residents, we are likely to see some migrants passing through. Possible sightings include: phainopepla, American kestrel, gilded flicker, curve-billed thrasher, Apert’s towhee or various warblers.. Quartz trail parking lot (McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd. & 104th St.) No bathrooms at trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. Bring your binoculars. No dogs, please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Ride from Pima Dynamite Trailhead
2021-10-06 08:00 - 17:00 | AZ
