McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Hidden Desert Educational Walk
2025-03-27 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States

Lecture - Scottsdale's General Plan History
2025-03-25 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Phoenix) | Scottsdale Public Library – Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85260, United States

Wildflower Educational Hike
2025-03-25 08:00 - 11:30 (America/Phoenix) | Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States

Wildflower Walk
2025-03-23 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States

Ride Hawknest and Axle Grease - Wellness Ride
2025-03-23 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix) | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States

Wildflower Walk
2025-03-22 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-03-06 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States

Trailside Naturalist Table - Rattling on about Rattlers - Brown's Ranch Trailhead
2025-03-22 08:30 - 11:00 UTC | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Rattling on about Rattlers
Learn about the species of rattlesnakes that live in the Sonoran Desert. Did you know? – That a rattlesnake can strike a distance of up to two-thirds of their body length? That they like to hide under bushes, rocks and debris that offer protection from predators? That they are an important part of the Preserve ecosystem? The Sonoran Desert is home to more species of rattlesnakes than any other region in the world. Come learn about the snakes that utilize heat vision to hunt in the dark of night and do not lay eggs!
*Trailside Naturalist Table is a family-friendly educational display on some Saturday mornings. The presentations feature hands-on materials and specimens and cover a variety of topics about the flora and fauna of the Preserve. The informal setting allows visitors to ask questions and learn interesting information about the amazing biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert. Sign up is not necessary, stop by anytime.

The Rocks Hike: Balanced, Amphitheater, and Cathedral
2025-03-22 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Very Difficult hike to visit these iconic rock formations will travel just over 9 miles with minimal elevation changes over 3½ to 4 hours.

Hunter/Gatherers - Educational Walk
2025-03-20 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, United States

Fraesfield Area Hike
2025-03-19 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Phoenix) | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
This moderate hike has some uphill. 4.5 miles for about 2 hours.

Conservancy Class - Hidden Wonders - Arizona Geology
2025-03-18 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Phoenix) | McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, 15300 North 90th Street, Suite 400, Scottsdale, AZ, 85260, United States

Ride the Pima Dynamite Area - Wellness Ride
2025-03-16 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States

Granite Mountain Loop Hike
2025-03-16 08:00 - 11:30 (America/Phoenix) | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Difficult hike on one of the classic paths in the preserve and a side trip to Balanced Rock. About 3.5 hours to cover 6.8 miles with 330 ft. elevation gain.

Lecture - The How and Why of Butterfly Coloration (at Mustang Library)
2025-03-15 14:30 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix) | Scottsdale Public Library – Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85260, United States

Return to Azatlan - Educational Hike
2025-03-15 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Phoenix) | AZ

Phenology Educational Walk
2025-03-15 08:00 - 11:00 UTC | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States

Wildflower Educational Hike
2025-03-14 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Phoenix) | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States

Women's Hike
2025-03-14 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States

Surviving and Thriving in the Sonoran Desert - Educational Walk
2025-03-13 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States

Tom's Thumb Lookouts Hike
2025-03-12 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix) | Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
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.

Women's Bike Ride
2025-03-11 08:00 - 11:30 UTC | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States

Bird Walk
2025-03-11 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Phoenix) | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States

Sonoran Sundays - Tarantula Wasps & Giant Desert Hairy Scorpions! Arthropods of the Sonoran Desert
2025-03-09 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States

Birds, Bees, and the Matriarchy - Educational Walk
2025-03-08 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States

Cultural Resources Educational Hike - Brown's Ranch Interpretive Trail
2025-03-05 08:00 - 11:30 UTC | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic
2025-03-04 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix) | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States

Desert 101 - Educational Walk
2025-03-02 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States

Trailside Naturalist Table- Rattling on about Rattlers - Gateway Trailhead
2025-03-01 08:30 - 11:00 UTC | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States

Cone Mountain and Beyond Hike
2025-02-28 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Very Difficult hike will cover 10 different trails over about 10 miles with only gradual elevation gains in approximately 4 hours.
