McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Cathedral Rock, Amphitheater, Cholla Mountain Hike
2025-12-21 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Cathedral Rock, Amphitheater, Cholla Loop Hike at Brown’s Ranch.
This Difficult hike will take us to several of the iconic granite formations in the preserve. 7.5 miles, 280 ft. elevation gain in about 3.5 hours. Experienced hikers suggested.
Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Christmas Day Hike
2025-12-25 10:00 - 12:30 (America/Phoenix) | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Christmas Day Hike at Gateway Trailhead.
Embrace the spirit of the holiday on this picturesque hike on the Gateway Loop that will take you into the heart of the McDowells. This is a moderate hike of 4.5 miles in about 2.5 hours with significant elevation gain of 700 ft.
Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Sonoran Desert 101 - Educational Walk
2025-12-27 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Sonoran Desert 101 at Fraesfield 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 walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Ride to the Crested Saguaros and Lifecycle of Saguaros
2025-12-28 09:00 - 11:30 (America/Phoenix) | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Ride to the Crested Saguaros and Lifecycle of the Saguaro (Int.) from Pima Dynamite Trailhead.
Ever noticed the Crested Saguaros in the preserve? Come ride with us to see a large number scattered throughout the north. This 2.5 hour ride will cover 10 miles and is rated Advanced Skill and Vigorous Cardio.
A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding 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.
No electric assist bikes. To inquire about an accommodation from the City of Scottsdale, please call 480-312-4444.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Hawknest, Basalt Ridge, Cone Mountain, Latigo Hike
2025-12-30 10:00 - 14:30 (America/Phoenix) | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Hawknest, Basalt Ridge, Cone Mt., Latigo Trails at Pima Dynamite Trailhead.
This Very Difficult hike due to its elevation gain of 322 feet and 9.7 miles over about 4.5 hours covers some rolling hills for Experienced hikers. Explore these impressive trails with nice views and granite formations.
Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring water, snacks and even a lunch for the trail. No dogs please. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Ride 20 Mile Training Ride
2026-01-02 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Ride 20 Mile Intermediate Training Ride from Pima Dynamite Trailhead.
This ride will focus on developing cardio fitness and technical biking skills. The ride is aimed at those preparing for a 30 mile perimeter ride in February and will cover trails in the NW and North Central sections of the Preserve. Participants should expect moderate cardio challenges and intermediate technical requirements, with objectives including skill improvement in obstacle navigation, downhill braking, uphill shifting, and proper body and pedal positioning.
A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding 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 and water at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.
No electric assist bikes. To inquire about an accommodation from the City of Scottsdale, please call 480-312-4444.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Trailside Bike Repair Basics
2026-01-03 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Trailside Bike Repair Basics at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
This class provides a comprehensive guide to essential bike maintenance and repair techniques that can be performed on the trail. It covers a pre-ride checklist, the necessary tools for trailside repairs, such as tire levers, spare chain links, a chain breaker tool, and an air pump. Additionally, it offers step-by-step instructions for repairing chains and tires, both tubed and tubeless with hands on training.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Sonoran Desert 101 - Educational Walk
2026-01-03 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, 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 walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Stagecoach, High Desert, and Divide Trails Hike
2026-01-03 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Stagecoach, High Desert, The Divide Trails at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
This Very Difficult hike goes to some of the north central trails of Stagecoach, High Desert, and The Divide. See several of the iconic granite formations in the preserve. This hike is very difficult because it is 8.5 miles in about 4 hours; the actual terrain is rolling; elevation gain is 250 ft. Experienced hikers suggested.
Bathrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Bird Walk
2026-01-04 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Phoenix) | Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Bird Walk at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead.
Join our bird experts on this 2-hour walk for a good chance to see some of our year-round bird residents such as: cactus wren, Gila woodpecker, ladder-backed woodpecker, Harris’s hawk, verdin or Say’s phoebe – as well as some seasonal arrivals.
Restrooms available at the trailhead, but no water. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Bring your binoculars. Arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Fraesfield North to Balanced Rock Hike
2026-01-05 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Phoenix) | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Fraesfield North to Balanced Rock Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead.
This Difficult hike has a moderate rocky uphill portion on the north side of Fraesfield Mountain, but the remainder of the hike covers relatively flat terrain. Experienced hikers suggested; elevation gain is 333 feet. Plan 3.5 hours for 8 miles.
Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike. Restrooms available at the trailhead but no water. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Poisonous Arthropods in the Preserve - Educational Walk
2026-01-08 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Poisonous Arthropods in the Preserve at Gateway Trailhead.
Arthropods are the most diverse of all animals, comprising over 85 percent of all living animal species! A variety of arthropods in the Sonoran Desert use poisons for defense against predators or to kill or immobilize prey. Some of these animals are also venomous, like scorpions, but others produce poisonous chemicals, like blister beetles. Join us to learn how these amazing creatures thrive in our own backyard.
Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Bring snacks and water for the trail. No dogs please. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of the walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Brown's Ranch Homestead - Educational Hike
2026-01-10 09:00 - 11:30 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Brown’s Ranch Interpretative Trail Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
Before the Preserve was a reality, part of this land was a ranch, the historic Brown’s Ranch. Join us to explore this historical place, full of memories of a different way of life and hear the stories of the people who lived here not long ago. The hike is about 3.0-mile round trip on a comfortable trail with moderate elevations over about 2.5 hours.
Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before the start of the hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Introduction To Mountain Biking: Session 1
2026-01-10 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, 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 trail use. Upon completion, participants are expected to demonstrate basic bike handling abilities, understand essential principles such as body position, balance, and braking, and apply correct procedures for mounting, dismounting, and stopping on varied terrain, alongside practicing essential safety and etiquette on the trails.
A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks for the trail. Restrooms available at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.
No electric assist bikes. To inquire about an accommodation from the City of Scottsdale, please call 480-312-4444.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Predators and Prey - Educational Walk
2026-01-10 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, United States
Predators and Prey – Balancing the Ecosystem at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead
Join us for a fascinating two-hour leisurely walk exploring the dynamic relationship between predators and prey. Discover how desert animals like coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, raptors, and snakes have evolved to hunt, and how their prey—such as deer and rodents—have adapted to survive.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Restrooms and water at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs, please.
Space is limited! Please Save your spot with the RSVP below.

Windgate Pass/Bell Pass Loop Hike
2026-01-10 10:00 - 14:30 (America/Phoenix) | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Windgate Pass/Bell Pass Loop 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. 9.3 miles for about 5 hours with over 2000 ft. of elevation gain.
Restrooms and water 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.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Lecture - Linking Plants, Pollinators and You (at Mustang Library)
2026-01-10 14:30 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix) | Scottsdale Public Library – Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85260, United States
Linking Plants, Pollinators and You
Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 2:30 pm to 4 pm
Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
We will explore the dynamic and varied world of Sonoran Desert Pollinators who coexist with us in every season and landscape. These pollinators, while offering our desert great beauty, also serve an important role in keeping the Sonoran Desert healthy. We will discuss the birds and the bees and cover other desert pollinators including butterflies, beetles, flies, and bats. Importantly, you will learn what you can do to improve and sustain pollinator habitats at home with native plants and seeds.
Dr. John Weser is the Life Sciences Department Chair and Executive Director and cofounder of the Center for Native & Urban Wildlife at Scottsdale Community College (SCC). He received his Ph.D. in Biology from Arizona State University with an emphasis in Behavioral Ecology. Dr. Weser is involved in desert habitat restoration including enhancing pollinator habitats in natural and urban environments. He has partnered with the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy since 1999 in a range of programs including restoration and bird and butterfly monitoring. Dr. Weser is also involved with the Southwest Monarch Study monarch tagging project along with studying SCC’s desert burrowing owls and native solitary bees.
RSVP below to let us know you are coming!

Ride to the Crested Saguaros and Lifecycle of Saguaros
2026-01-11 09:00 - 12:30 (America/Phoenix) | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Ride to the Crested Saguaros and Lifecycle of the Saguaro (Int.) from Granite Mountain 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 10 miles and is rated Advanced Skill and Vigorous Cardio.
A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding 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.
No electric assist bikes. To inquire about an accommodation from the City of Scottsdale, please call 480-312-4444.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Women's Bike Ride
2026-01-12 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Women’s Bike Ride (Beg.) from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
This women’s bike ride is a beginner skill level ride and moderate cardio. This ride is perfect for women or those who identify as women. It is a “No Drop” ride, meaning no one will be left behind. Plan on about 3 hours to cover approximately 11 miles.
A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks for the trail. There are water and restrooms at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.
No electric assist bikes. To inquire about an accommodation from the City of Scottsdale, please call 480-312-4444.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Tom’s Thumb, East End, Regional Park Hike
2026-01-13 10:00 - 14:30 (America/Phoenix) | Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Tom’s Thumb, East End, Regional Park from Tom’s Thumb Trailhead.
This very difficult hike from Tom’s Thumb trailhead 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 with 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 but no water. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Nature's Medicine Cabinet - Educational Walk
2026-01-15 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Nature’s Medicine Cabinet Educational Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
Take a global look of the importance of plants and their physical properties and how they were used throughout the centuries to aid in man’s wellbeing. We will start globally but then move to look at some of medicinal plants found in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. No dogs please. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Mammoth Hunters to Canal Builders - Educational Hike
2026-01-15 10:00 - 12:30 (America/Phoenix) | 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 our expert and former City of Scottsdale archeologist to learn how historic and ancient peoples survived and thrived in this desert area. This easy hike covers 3 miles over about 2.5 hours.
Restrooms available at the trailhead but no water. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Introduction To Mountain Biking: Session 2
2026-01-17 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Introduction to Mountain Biking: Session 2 at Pima Dynamite Trailhead.
This program is aimed at helping riders build confidence and control across beginner-level terrain, reinforcing foundational skills while introducing essential techniques for handling small obstacles, climbs, descents, and corners. By the end, riders are expected to demonstrate improved balance, control, and maneuverability, effectively apply braking, shifting, and body positioning across varied terrain, and show increased confidence when tackling obstacles and technical features. Emphasizing trail etiquette and safe group riding, the program aspires to boost participants’ sense of accomplishment and encourage their continued enthusiasm for riding.
A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks for the trail. Restrooms available at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.
No electric assist bikes. To inquire about an accommodation from the City of Scottsdale, please call 480-312-4444.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Preserve Origins - Educational Walk
2026-01-17 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Preserve Origins Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is the largest continuous urban preserve in North America. It is part of the Sonoran Desert, the most biodiverse desert in the world. It encompasses over a third of the City of Scottsdale. How did all this happen? How did the people of Scottsdale protect so much land? One of Scottsdale’s Preserve Pioneers will walk and talk about the history of this Preserve.
Restrooms are available at the trailhead. Please bring a snack and water for the trail. No dogs please. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Ride the Four Peaks
2026-01-18 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Ride the Four Peaks (Int.) from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
Experience all 4 peaks in the Brown’s Ranch area of the Preserve on this 3-hour 16-mile ride. We will ride to Cone Mountain where we will have an exhilarating ride down Cloudburst, then we will head east to The Divide. From The Divide, we will have flowy downhill runs on Branding Iron and the west side of Granite Mountain. We will see the beautiful rock formations and wildflower fields on the south side of Granite Mountain then head toward Fraesfield Mountain and back toward the Trailhead. This ride will require moderate cardio and some intermediate technical skills.
A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding 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 and water at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.
No electric assist bikes. To inquire about an accommodation from the City of Scottsdale, please call 480-312-4444.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine, Black Hills, 136th Express and Dixileta Hike
2026-01-18 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Phoenix) | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine, Black Hills, 136th Express and Dixileta from Fraesfield Trailhead.
Let’s explore the Fraesfield Trails. This Difficult 7.5-mile hike with minimal elevation gain will cover 8 different trails accessible from the Fraesfield trailhead which most hikers do not visit. We may add the Campana Interpretive trail also .
Bring a snack or light lunch and water for the trail. There are bathrooms at the trailhead but no water. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Sonoran Sundays - Mammals of the Sonoran Desert (Guest Presenter: Maricopa Parks and Recreation)
2026-01-18 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Sonoran Sundays – Mammals of the Sonoran Desert (Guest Presenter: Maricopa Parks and Recreation)
Want to learn more about the Sonoran Desert’s amazing mammals? Would you like some tips to increase your chances of seeing wildlife while hiking? Then you’re going to want to join Ranger Kevin of Maricopa Parks and Recreation for a closer look at our native mammals. Whether it’s the diminutive Kangaroo Rat, the elusive Mountain Lion, or the majestic Desert Bighorn Sheep, we’ll look at some ways mammals manage not just to survive, but to thrive in the desert. We’ll also have a variety of skulls, bones, pelts and more to examine up close.

A Meditation Walk
2026-01-22 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
A Meditation Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
Step away from the day to day and discover inner peace as you immerse yourself in the beauty and power of the Sonoran Desert on a mindful ½ mile journey on the gentle and beautiful Jane Rau Trail.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start of the walk. Restrooms and water at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs, please.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Marcus Landslide - Educational Hike
2026-01-23 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Phoenix) | Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Marcus Landslide Educational Hike from Tom’s Thumb Trailhead.
Open your eyes to the Marcus Landslide geological site, second largest landslide in Arizona. This Moderate educational hike will be about 4 miles in about 3 hours with 400 ft, of elevation gain.
Bathrooms at the trailhead but no water. Bring water and snacks for the trail. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike. No dogs please.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Introduction to Mountain Biking: Session 3 - Graduation Ride
2026-01-24 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Introduction to Mountain Biking: Session 3 – Graduation Ride at Pima Dynamite Trailhead.
This 10 to 12-mile ride from Pima Dynamite is for people who have completed the Introduction to Mountain Biking Sessions 1 & 2. This is an instructional ride to practice the skills taught with instruction at various points on the ride.
A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding bikes. Please check the working order of your bike before you leave home. Helmets required. Bring water and snacks for the trail. Restrooms available at the trailhead. Arrive 15 minutes before start of ride.
No electric assist bikes. To inquire about an accommodation from the City of Scottsdale, please call 480-312-4444.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.
