McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Venom in the Preserve
2022-03-08 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Phoenix) | 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, 2022-02-03 09:00 - 11:00 | 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.

Secrets of the Preserve Educational Ride
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.

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.

High Desert and Stagecoach Trails Fitness Hike
2022-02-19 09:00 - 13:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
High Desert & Stagecoach Trails Fitness Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead This Difficult hike will take you into the High Desert trail area with a stop at Cathedral Rock. 7.4 miles in about 4 hours with rolling hills. Experienced hikes suggested. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water, snacks and even a lunch for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Learn the Line
2022-02-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Learn the Line at Granite Mtn. Trailhead Have you felt nervous or unsure about how to ride over that rock or around that technical corner? Come out and ‘learn the line’ to gain confidence on technical pieces, both up and down hills, speed control, body position and moving your weight around. This is an Intermediate Skills and Moderate Cardio ride. All our rides are “No Drop”, meaning we will not leave you. Allow 3-3.5 hours. It is recommended that you have participated in the MSC mountain bike skills clinic and have joined a previous MSC intermediate ride prior to this ride. 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 available at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.

Noteworthy and Notorious Arizonans
2022-02-17 09:00 - 11:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Noteworthy and Notorious Arizonans Educational Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead Join PastFinder Don Meserve, Scottsdale Archeologist in a Moderate hike of discovery and hear tales – some taller than others – of some of our lesser known Arizona heroes, heroines and villains. Not so notables include a woman prospector (The Miner’s Angel), Arizona Rangers, a lady bandit, a local ranch foreman, a woman freed from Mohave captivity, and a southwestern-modern architect (think City Hall). 3 miles over about 2 hours. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Diablo Trails Explorer Fitness Hike
2022-02-15 09:00 - 14:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Diablo Trails Explorer Fitness Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. This Very Difficult hike will head to the North and South Diablo trails. There will be stops at Cathedral Rock and the Amphitheater along the way. Experienced hikers suggested. About 5 hours to cover 10.5 miles on rolling terrain. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead.. Bring water, snacks and even a lunch for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Crested Saguaro Fitness Hike
2022-02-14 09:00 - 14:30 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Crested Saguaro Fitness Hike from Granite Mt Trailhead Join us on this Very Difficult hike as we cruise by a large number of crested saguaro cactus. This hike is for experience hikers and will cover 10.6 miles in about 5.5 hours. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water, snacks and even a lunch for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

All About Arizona
2022-02-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, United States
All About Arizona Educational Hike from Lost Dog Trailhead This hike is a celebration of Arizona. The state flower, state tree, state mineral, and more. Join BJ Tatro on this Moderate hike with beautiful views and some uphill sections with rocky terrain. 3 miles over 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.

Bird Walk
2022-02-13 08:00 - 10:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Bird Walk From Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Join Kathe Anderson and Rick Pearce to view our year-round resident birds, we may see some that spend the winter in our area. Possible sightings include: phainopepla, ruby-crowned kinglet, black-tailed gnatcatcher or northern mockingbird. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs please. Bring your binoculars. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Crested Saguaro Ride
2022-02-12 09:00 - 12:30 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Crested Saguaro Ride from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. Ever noticed the Crested Saguaros in the preserve? Come ride with us to see a large number scattered throughout the north. This 3.5 hour ride will cover more than 10 miles and is rated Advanced Skill and Vigorous Cardio. 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. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start.

Trailside Naturalist Station: Arthropods
2022-02-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Spiders, scorpions, and bugs! Did you know that about 84% of all animals are arthropods? Stop by the Trailside Naturalist station at the Gateway Trailhead between 9-11 A.M. to learn about the fascinating world of arthropods.

Nature as Therapy
2022-02-09 14:00 - 15:30 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Nature as Therapy Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Learn why time in nature makes us happier, healthier, and more creative. An easy 1.5 hour walk at Brown’s Trailhead where Toni Vallee and Max Sukenik will teach you how to use nature as a prescription to improve your overall well being. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Lifecycle of the Saguaro
2022-02-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Lifecycle of the Saguaro Education Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead Native only to the Sonoran Desert, these giant cacti are a sight to see! Join PastFinders Don Brockway and Chris Crum 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 hills. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

High Desert Explorer East Fitness Hike
2022-02-08 09:00 - 14:30 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
High Desert Explorer East Fitness Hike from Granite Mt Trailhead. This Very Difficult hike explores some of the trails in the remote northeast section of the preserve such as Bootlegger, Granite Mt. Loop and Branding Iron, High Desert, Renegade trails. For Experienced hikers. 5.5 hours covering 10 miles with lots of rolling hills. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and even a lunch for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Hike with Natural Resource Coordinator
2022-02-08 09:00 - 11:00 | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator at Pima Dynamite Trailhead Spend about 2 hours on an easy hike with Madison Barasha, the Natural Resources Coordinator, as she 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 and water available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Sonoran Sundays: Geology
2022-02-06 15:00 - 16:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
One of the geologists who was instrumental in the discovery of the Marcus Landslide in the McDowell
Mountains, Brian Gottee will be sharing on the unique rock forms and geology of the region. Brian’s fun
and educational presentation will offer interesting insights on the geological history and evolution of the
McDowell Mountains.

Thirty Miler from Pima Dynamite
2022-02-05 09:00 - 13:30 | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Thirty Miler from Pima Dynamite Trailhead. This ride is longer and more intense than our normal rides. It will be 4.5-5 hours and cover 30 miles with a Skill level of Intermediate and a Cardio level of Vigorous in the north eastern area of the preserve. All our rides are “No Drop”, meaning we will not leave you. 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 and even a lunch. There are restrooms at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic
2022-02-02 09:00 - 12:00 | 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 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.
*****Please meet at the Equestrian Lot******

Windgate Pass/Bell Pass Loop Fitness Hike
2022-01-30 08:00 - 13:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Windgate Pass/Bell Pass Loop Fitness Hike from Gateway Trailhead. Ready for a great workout? Then this Very Difficult hike in the heart of the southern McDowells is for you. We go to Windgate Pass and around to Bell Pass before returning to the trailhead. 9.5 miles for about 5 hours with over 2000ft. of elevation gain. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water, snacks and even a lunch for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.

Dixie Mine, Prospector, Windmill Fitness Hike
2022-01-29 09:00 - 14:00 | Golden Eagle/Dixie Mine Trailhead, 14425 E. Golden Eagle Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ, United States
Dixie Mine, Prospector, Windmill Area Fitness Hike from Golden Eagle Trailhead. This vigorous Very Difficult hike offers spectacular scenery on the seldom seen eastern preserve. It covers 10 miles in about 5 hours with elevation changes of over 2000 ft. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail and even a lunch. No dogs please. We traverse the county park, so please be prepared to pay a $2 cash entrance fee. 14425 E Golden Eagle Blvd, Fountain Hills. On google, this trailhead is listed as Dixie Mine Trailhead Parking. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
