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 […]
Wildflower Educational Hike from Granite Mountain Trailhead. Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join our knowledgeable stewards on this Moderate hike to discover the incredible variety of flowers in this area of the Preserve. 3 miles over about 3 hours. Restrooms are available at the […]
Matriarchy in the McDowells at Brown's Ranch Trailhead. In honor of International Women's Day, we are celebrating women--both those who are human and those in the animal kingdom--with a leisurely walk on the Jane Rau trail. There are restrooms and water at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Plan […]
Introduction to Mountain Biking: Session 2 at Pima Dynamite Trailhead. This program is aimed at helping riders build confidence and control across beginner-level terrain, reinforcing foundational skills while introducing essential techniques for handling small obstacles, climbs, descents, and corners. By the end, riders are expected to demonstrate improved balance, control, and maneuverability, effectively apply braking, […]
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 […]
Tom's Thumb Lookouts Hike at Tom's Thumb Trailhead. This Very Difficult hike starts at the Tom Thumb Trailhead and travels 6.6 miles with a net elevation gain of around 1,600 feet over 3 to 3½ hours. We will initially head up the Tom's Thumb Trail to the TT9 location and have a great view of […]
Bird Migrations – Nature’s Intricately Timed Dance Saturday, March 14, 2026, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 While we enjoy the cheerful presence of local birds at our feeders, each season brings surprise visitors—migratory birds that seem to arrive out of thin air. But their journeys […]
Ride Hawknest and Axle Grease (Int.) from Pima Dynamite Trailhead. Join us on this ride up Axle Grease to West Express, Hawknest, and Basalt Ridge, ending with an exciting flowy downhill on Hawknest back to the trailhead for about a 15-mile ride of moderate cardio and some intermediate technical skills. Make sure your bike is […]
All About Plant Phenology at Brown's Ranch Trailhead. This leisurely walk along the Brown's Ranch Jane Rau trail will introduce you to the Conservancy’s ongoing phenology project in the Preserve. WHAT is Phenology? Phenology is the science of studying life cycle events in plants and animals. When does it grow, when is it dormant, when […]
