McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Trailside Naturalist Station: Packrats
2022-03-26 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix) | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
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.

New Trails at Pima Dynamite Trailhead
2022-03-26 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.

Hunters/Gatherers Educational Hike
2022-03-24 08:00 - 10:30 | Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, United States
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 about 2.5 hours with some elevation gain. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Bike Ride With Natural Resources Coordinator
2022-03-24 08:00 - 10:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
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 perspective. 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 at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of bike ride.

Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine & Black Hill Fitness Hike
2022-03-23 08:00 - 11:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
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. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Women's Bike Ride
2022-03-20 08:00 - 11:30 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
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 on about 3 hours to cover approximately 15 miles. 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 at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.

Balanced Rock and Whiskey Bottle Fitness Hike
2022-03-19 08:00 - 11:30 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
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. Bathrooms at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Wildflower Educational Hike
2022-03-18 08:00 - 10:00 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
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 trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike. Location: Granite Mtn. Trailhead.

Kovach Family Trail Walk
2022-03-18 08:00 - 09:30 | Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, United States
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 15 minutes before start of hike.

Tom's Thumb Trailhead and Long Loop Fitness Hike
2022-03-17 08:00 - 13:00 | AZ
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 are bathrooms at the trailhead. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Wildflower Educational Walk from Brown's Ranch Trailhead
2022-03-16 08:00 - 09:30 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
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 dogs please. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the hike.

Bird Walk
2022-03-15 08:00 - 10:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
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 at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs please. Bring your binoculars. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Gateway to Windgate Pass Fitness Hike
2022-03-14 08:00 - 12:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
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 of 1,300 ft. Experience hikers suggested. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Secrets of the Preserve Educational Ride
2022-03-13 08:00 - 11:30, 2022-02-25 09:00 - 12:30 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
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 stunning geological setting. This is an Intermediate Skill and Moderate Cardio level ride of about 11 miles over 2 1/2 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 at the trailhead. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start.

Axle Grease and Hawknest Fitness Hike
2022-03-12 08:00 - 11:30 | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
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 the trailhead. Bring water, snacks and even a lunch for the trail. No dogs please.

Return to Azatlan Educational Hike
2022-03-10 08:00 - 12:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
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 door to the Preserve along the Verde River. The hike will include visits to the ancient ‘ball courts’ used by the native peoples, traces of their canals and other evidence of their civilization. This is a slow paced Moderate hike of 4 miles over about 4 hours with no shade. It is a limited attendance hike and reservations are absolutely required. Stewards must sign up at Better Impact. All others by emailing Hike-Bike@McDowellSonoran.org. Do not sign up at Meetup or other media sites and do not bring guests without registration. Meeting location will be emailed to registered participants a few days before the hike. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Marcus Landslide Educational Hike
2022-03-09 09:00 - 12:00 | AZ
Marcus Landslide Educational Hike from Tom’s Thumb Trailhead
Join Toni Vallee as she opens your eyes to the Marcus Landslide geological site, second largest landslide in Arizona. This Moderate educational hike will 4 miles in about 3 hours with 400 ft of elevation gains. Bathrooms at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic
2022-03-09 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 meet in the Equestrian parking area and 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.

Stagecoach, High Desert & The Divide
2022-03-08 08:00 - 12:30 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Stagecoach, High Desert & The Divide Fitness Hike from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. This Very Difficult hike will head north of Cholla Mountain into the lesser traveled areas with great vistas of the Tonto and points north. Experienced hikers suggested. About 4.5 hours to cover 9 miles on rolling terrain. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water and even a lunch for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Venom in the Preserve
2022-03-08 08:00 - 09:30 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Venom in the Preserve Educational Walk from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. Some reptiles and arthropods in the Sonoran Desert use venom or other poisons to defend themselves or subdue their prey. Learn how to recognize these animals that bite and sting and the effect of their venom. Join Dr. Rich Cochran on an easy 1.5 hour walk. Bathrooms at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Trailside Naturalist - Bird Nests
2022-03-05 09:00 - 11:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Stop by the Trailside Naturalist station at Gateway Trailhead between 9-11 am to learn about all the different types of nests our desert birds make.

Sunrise Trailhead Overflow Lot to Andrews-Kinsey Trail
2022-03-03 08:00 - 12:00 | Sunrise Trailhead Overflow Parking, 12101 N. 145th Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Sunrise Trail to Andrews-Kinsey Trail Fitness Hike from Sunrise Trailhead overflow parking lot. Burn off some calories on this picturesque and challenging hike. This Very Difficult hike climbs 900 ft. to a saddle and then continues on the Andrews-Kinsey Trail to a spectacular view overlooking the Fountain Hills Preserve before returning. 6.8 miles, total elevation gain of 1,100 ft. for about 4 hours. No restrooms at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike. Remember, it starts in the overflow parking lot.

Heart of the North Ride
2022-03-03 08:00 - 11:00 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Heart of the North Bike Ride from Granite Mountain Trailhead. Head up toward the Divide with us on an Intermediate Skill and Moderate Cardio ride for 3 hours to cover 15 miles. A bike with wide knobby tires is required. All our rides are “No Drop”, meaning we will not leave you. 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. There are restrooms at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.

Hike with Natural Resource Coordinator
2022-03-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
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 available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Taliesin, Old Jeep & Ringtail Fitness Hike
2022-03-01 08:00 - 11:00 | Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, United States
Taliesin, Old Jeep and Ringtail Fitness Hike from Lost Dog Trailhead. Come hike some of the original trails in the preserve with great views of Scottsdale and the desert. This is a Difficult hike with some rocky trails for 5.5 miles in 3 hours. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Mammoth Hunters to Canal Builders Hike
2022-02-27 08:00 - 10:30 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Mammoth Hunters to Canal Builders Educational Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead. Travel back in time in the preserve with PastFinder Don Meserve, former City of Scottsdale archeologist and learn how historic and ancient peoples survived and thrived in this desert area. This Moderate hike covers 2.5 miles over 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.

Trailside Naturalist - Mammals
2022-02-26 09:00 - 11:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Jackrabbits, mountain lions, javelina, bobcats, and more!! Stop by the Trailside Naturalist Station at Gateway Trailhead between 9:00 am and 11:00 am to learn all about the mammals of the Sonoran Desert.

Women's Bike Ride
2022-02-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
This event has been canceled due to forecasted rain.
Women’s Bike Ride from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. This all woman’s bike ride is an Intermediate Skill level ride and Moderate Cardio. This is 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 on about 3 hours to cover approximately 12 miles. 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. There are restrooms at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.

Bajada Trail Walk
2022-02-23 09:00 - 10:30 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Bajada Trail Walk at Gateway Trailhead: Join us for a leisurely walk on the wondrous Bajada Trail. A slower pace over 1 mile will allow us time to stop for various discussions of the desert. Allow 1-1.5 hours. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
