Lifecycle of the Saguaro Educational Walk at Granite Mountain Trailhead. Native only to the Sonoran Desert, these giant cacti are a sight to see! Join us 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 3 hours over some rolling […]
Ride 30 Mile Perimeter Fitness Ride (Dif.) from Pima Dynamite Trailhead. This is a challenging fitness ride focusing on the perimeter trails of the Preserve's Northern Region. The ride is intended for participants seeking a long and intense workout, lasting 4.5 to 4.75 hours and demanding advanced cardiovascular fitness as well as intermediate technical riding […]
Sonoran Desert 101 at Tom's Thumb Trailhead. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive. Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start […]
Geology and Flora--Whiskey Bottle and Black Hill at Fraesfield Trailhead. On this hike you’ll see the direct connection between the environment and the desert ecosystem as the plant communities change distinctly when the local geology and terrain changes. The hike is 3 miles long and starts with a moderate climb but then eases into modest […]
Granite Mtn Loop, Balanced Rock, Black Hill at Granite Mountain Trailhead. This Difficult 6.5-mile hike with minimal elevation gain will start at the Granite Mountain trailhead. We will do the “Loop”, have a brief stop at the Scenic Overlook, visit Balanced Rock and hopefully catch some early spring flowers the last few miles. For a […]
Flora in the Desert/Wildflowers Walk at Tom's Thumb Trailhead. Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join our knowledgeable stewards on this 2 hour walk to discover the incredible variety of flowers in this area of the preserve. Restrooms are available at the trailhead but no […]
Introduction to Mountain Biking: Session 1 (Beg.) at Pima Dynamite Trailhead. This program is designed to introduce participants to mountain biking by building foundational riding skills and confidence in a safe, supportive setting. It emphasizes the importance of proper bike setup, safety checks, and trail etiquette, while fostering an appreciation for outdoor activity and responsible […]
Sonoran Desert 101 at Gateway Trailhead. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive. Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of […]
The Rocks: Balanced, Amphitheater and Cathedral at Granite Mountain Trailhead. This Very Difficult hike to visit these iconic rock formations will travel just over 9 miles with minimal elevation changes over 3½ to 4 hours. We will stop and enjoy each formation, returning on the Cholla Loop and the Granite Mountain Loop viewing many large […]
Ride (Int.) Desert Discovery Ride II at Pima Dynamite Trailhead. Pima Dynamite is very popular with mountain bikers; it provides fun trails designed to climb easily into the northern section and escape the crowds! On the way round, we'll take in some of the more spectacular rock features in this part of the Preserve and […]
The World of Arthropods in the Sonoran Desert Did you know that 84% of all animal species are Arthropods and they have a major role in maintaining ecosystems as pollinators, recyclers of nutrients, scavengers and food for other animals? Join Conservancy Steward Rich Cochran, an expert on arthropods, for an in-depth talk on some of the […]
Bird Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead. Join our bird experts 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. Restrooms available at the trailhead, but no water. Bring […]
