Tom’s Thumb Trailhead to Lookout Mt. Fitness Hike This Very Difficult hike has a steep trail with amazing rock formations. For Experienced hikers.  5.8 miles including a 1,200 ft. elevation gain over about 3.5 hours. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please.  Arrive 15 minutes before start […]

Sensing the Desert Family Educational Hike at Gateway Trailhead  What do you see?  Can you smell that?  Did you hear something?  Use your senses to make the desert come alive on this fun and active Family Hike.  Be ready to really experience so much of what the desert has to offer.  Allow 1 1/2 to […]

Quartz Trail from Lost Dog Trailhead Fitness Hike  This Very Difficult hike will visit the quartz formation that can be seen for miles all over Scottsdale. The hike covers 9 miles in about 5 hours with significant elevation gains on rocky trails. Experienced hikers suggested. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water, snacks and even […]

More Pie Please Fitness Hike at Lost Dog Trailhead  Join Steve Dodd on this Moderate hike to burn off some calories with family and friends and you won’t feel a bit guilty about having that second piece of pie!  2.5 miles over about 1.5 hours and some ups and downs. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. […]

Bike the South from Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Come ride the southern preserve trails.  This is an Advanced Skill and Vigorous Cardio level ride of about 15 miles in 2.5 – 3 hours. We will ride over Taliesin Overlook to the Levee loop and possibly up the Quartz trail.  This is a good ride to […]

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 […]

Marcus Landslide Educational Ride from Tom’s Thumb Trailhead We will ride to Marcus Landslide and into the County Park to see the landslide from various viewpoints.  This Intermediate Skills and Vigorous Cardio ride covers some significant elevation changes over 3.5 hours.  However, there will be numerous stops to discuss and observe the geology of the […]

Master Steward Rich Cochran will present an in-depth talk on some of the fascinating insects and  arachnids that inhabit our Sonoran Desert. An expert on arthropods, Rich will provide an up-close look  at some fun and interesting species from his vast collection, including a Tarantula Wasp, a Giant Desert  Hairy Scorpion, and more.

Desert Origins and Adaptations Educational Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. Why is the Sonoran Desert here?  Join Frank Romaglia as he examines how climate and geomorphology interact to create a desert. He’ll compare and contrast North American deserts, then focus on our Sonoran home and some adaptations necessary to survive this harsh environment. This Moderate […]

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 […]

High Desert, Broken Spoke, Hawknest and Buckshot Trails Fitness Hike from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead This Very Difficult hike will allow you to explore some of the remote trails in the northwest area of the Preserve. 9.3 miles for about 5 hours with rolling hills. Experience hikers suggested.  Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water, snacks, […]

Stop by the Trailside Naturalist station at the Gateway Trailhead between 9-11 A.M. to learn about the various predators found in the Preserve.