Name: Hike The Rocks: Balanced, Amphitheater and Cathedral
Start: 2026-03-07T09:00:00-07:00
End: 2026-03-07T13:00:00-07:00
Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead

February 2026
February 24 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Lecture – Designing With Nature: Architecture of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and Beyond

Scottsdale Public Library - Mustang Library 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Designing With Nature: Architecture of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and Beyond Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Philip Weddle of Scottsdale based Weddle Gilmore Architects has developed a deep portfolio of community-based projects that connect people to the places in which they […]

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February 26 @ 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Secrets of the Preserve – Educational Ride

Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Secrets of the Preserve Educational Ride (Int.) from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. Ready to discover more about what is in the Preserve, besides the excitement of trail riding? This is the ride for you! Join our archeological stewards in exploring the Preserve's recent ranching history and the ancient way of life of the Native American in […]

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February 26 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Women of the McDowells – Educational Walk

Lost Dog Wash Trailhead 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Women of the McDowells - Doctors, Lawyers, and Spies at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead This leisurely two-hour, half mile walk along the Kovach Family Trail will tell the story of three well educated, visionary, bold and brilliant women who challenged and changed the “status quo”! Please arrive 15 minutes start of the walk. Restrooms and […]

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February 27 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Lifecycle of the Saguaro – Educational Hike

Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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 […]

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February 28 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Geology and Flora – Educational Hike

Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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 […]

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February 28 @ 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Ride 30 Mile Training Ride

Pima Dynamite Trailhead 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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 […]

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February 28 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sonoran Desert 101 – Educational Walk

Tom's Thumb Trailhead 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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 […]

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March 2026
March 3 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Granite Mountain Loop, Balanced Rock, Black Hill Hike

Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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 […]

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March 5 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Wildflowers and Flora of the Desert – Educational Walk

Tom's Thumb Trailhead 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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 […]

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March 7 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am

Introduction To Mountain Biking: Session 1

Pima Dynamite Trailhead 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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 […]

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March 7 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Sonoran Desert 101 – Educational Walk

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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 […]

RSVP Now Free 12 spots left
March 7 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Hike The Rocks: Balanced, Amphitheater and Cathedral

Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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 […]

RSVP Now Free 14 spots left

February 2026

Lecture – Designing With Nature: Architecture of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and Beyond

Women of the McDowells – Educational Walk

Lifecycle of the Saguaro – Educational Hike

Geology and Flora – Educational Hike

Sonoran Desert 101 – Educational Walk

March 2026

Wildflowers and Flora of the Desert – Educational Walk

Introduction To Mountain Biking: Session 1

Sonoran Desert 101 – Educational Walk

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February 2026

March 2026

We've got a new look!

We're excited about the changes!

Please contact us if you experience any technical issues.