Mammoth Hunters to Canal Builders Educational Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead Travel back in time in the Preserve with our PastFinders expert and former City of Scottsdale archaeologist to learn how historic and ancient peoples survived and thrived in this desert area. Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 East Rio Verde Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: […]

Taliesin, Old Jeep and Ringtail Fitness Hike at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Come hike some of the original trails in the Preserve with great views of Scottsdale and the desert. Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead - 12601 N. 124th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85259 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~5.5 miles Time: ~3 hours Bathrooms are available […]

Pastfinders Lecture – Listening to the History of the Preserve & Conservancy at Mustang Library or Virtual Explore the history of the Preserve through the voices of the citizens, stewards, scientists, and political leaders who collaboratively built the movement that led to the Conservancy. The presentation will share short curated clips of oral histories collected […]

Expedition Days Live: Family Day at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Join us for a day of fun interactive experiences in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Learn about your place in the Sonoran Desert and how the choices you make in your daily life affect the future of our environment. Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead - […]

Lecture- Flora of the MSP Part 2, Wildflowers and Shrubs at Mustang Library or Virtual An exploration of the plant life found in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. We live in the most diverse desert in the world. Learn more about the vegetation found in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This lecture will focus on Wildflowers and […]

Secrets of the Preserve Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Ready to discover more about what is in the Preserve? This is an experience for you! Join us to explore the Preserve’s hidden treasures, from the plants and animals to the recent and ancient history in a stunning geological setting. Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 East […]

Sonoran Sundays- Raptors of the Southwest with Liberty Wildlife at Gateway Trailhead Meet the Animal Ambassadors from Liberty Wildlife. Their education team will bring a variety of native birds of prey to educate your family about their natural histories, their individual stories and what you can do to keep their habitats safe. It’s a great […]

Venom in the Preserve Educational Walk at 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. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 Alma School Rd, […]

Intermediate Ride at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Join us for a beautiful single-track ride from Brown's Ranch. This is an intermediate skill level ride with some climbing and fun winding downhills. If there is a short technical section on a trail, there will always be a by-pass or you may walk it. We will make short […]

Women's Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Join us for this easy walk on the Jane Rau interpretive trail. This walk is perfect for women or those that identify as women. Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Bathrooms are available at the trailheads. […]

Marcus Landslide Educational Hike at Tom's Thumb Trailhead Open your eyes to the Marcus Landslide geological site, second largest landslide in Arizona. Elevation gain is about 400 ft. Location: Tom’s Thumb Trailhead - 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~4 miles Time: ~3 hours Bathrooms are available at the trailheads. […]

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Join us on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various pertinent topics are discussed during the walk in the desert. The material will depend on the season, animals, plants, and will cover whatever is happening in this wonderful environment. […]

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic at Pima Dynamite Trailhead New to mountain biking? Looking to refresh your skills, improve your technique, enhance safety awareness, and increase your overall enjoyment on the trails? We begin with a demonstration and presentation by experienced riders covering the basic things you need to know, equipment requirements, and trail etiquette. The […]

Return to Azatlan Educational Hike Azatlan is the contemporary archaeological name given to a large Hohokam community that existed north of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Reservation and east of Rio Verde. Join PastFinders experts for a hike through one of the largest archaeological sites in central Arizona, which lies right next door to the Preserve […]

Sunrise Trail to Andrews-Kinsey Trail Fitness Hike at Sunrise Trailhead Burn off some calories on this picturesque and challenging hike. This hike climbs 900 ft. to a saddle and then continues on the Andrews-Kinsey Trail to a spectacular view overlooking the Fountain Hills Preserve (AK5) before returning. Total elevation gain of 1,100 ft. Location: Sunrise […]

Wildflower Educational Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join us and discover the incredible variety of flowers in the spectacular Jane Rau Interpretive Trail. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 Alma School Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Distance: […]

Trailside Naturalist - Wildflowers at Gateway Trailhead In the spring, the desert pops in a rainbow of colorful wildflowers. Stop by the trailside naturalist station to learn about the various blooms and plants you may see on your hike. Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Time: ~3 hours

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Fraesfield Trailhead Join us on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various pertinent topics are discussed during the walk in the desert. The material will depend on the season, animals, plants, and will cover whatever is happening in this wonderful environment. Location: Fraesfield […]

Gateway to Windgate Pass Fitness Hike at Gateway Trailhead Head up to Windgate Pass and visit Inspiration Viewpoint. Along the way, you may see some wildflowers that only grow at higher elevations such as the Mariposa Lily. Elevation gain of 1,300 ft. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, […]

Intermediate Ride at Fraesfield Trailhead Join us for a beautiful single-track ride from Fraesfield Trailhead. This is an intermediate skill level ride with some climbing and fun winding downhills. If there is a short technical section on a trail, there will always be a by-pass or you may walk it. We will make short stops […]

Bird Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Join the expert to see some of our area’s full-time resident birds. It also gives us a chance to see spring migrants, for example: Wilson’s, Lucy’s, Townsend’s, or yellow warbler, or early-arriving summer residents white-winged dove, turkey vulture, or ash-throated flycatcher. Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 East Rio Verde Dr. […]

Heart of the North Bike Ride at Granite Mountain Trailhead Head up toward the Divide Trail. This is an intermediate skills and moderate cardio ride. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N. 136th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate Distance: ~15 miles Time: ~3 hours Please, no road bikes, hybrids, folding bikes, or electric […]

Secrets of the Preserve Educational Ride at 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 our PastFinders stewards in exploring the Preserve's recent ranching history and the ancient way of life of the Native American in […]

Wildflower Educational Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join our knowledgeable stewards on this hike and discover the incredible variety of flowers in this area of the Preserve. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N. 136th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85262 […]

Wildflower Educational Walk at Tom's Thumb Trailhead Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join us on this easy walk to discover the incredible variety of flowers in the spectacular Marcus Landslide Trail. Location: Tom’s Thumb Trailhead - 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 Skill […]

Balanced Rock, Chuckwagon, Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine Trails at Granite Mountain Trailhead This hike will take you to Balanced Rock along the very scenic south side of Granite Mountain. We will then hike to the Whiskey Bottle Trail and return via the Turpentine Trail. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N. 136th St., […]

Women's Bike Ride at Granite Mountain Trailhead This all women’s bike ride is an intermediate skills and vigorous cardio ride around the Granite Mountain Loop and beyond. This is a step up in intensity from the previous women’s ride. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N. 136th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate Distance: […]

Phenology: Taking the Pulse of our Planet Educational Walk at Brown Ranch Trailhead Take an up-close look at the different phases of life of several plant species, learn why monitoring the timing of these life cycles is important, and how you can be a part of local and national climate change research. Location: Brown’s Ranch […]

CANCELLED- Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine and Black Hill Fitness Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead This hike has a moderate uphill portion on the north side of Fraesfield Mountain with nice views of Granite Mountain and beyond, but the remainder of the hike covers relatively level terrain. Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 East Rio Verde Dr. Scottsdale, AZ […]

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead Join us on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various pertinent topics are discussed during the walk in the desert. The material will depend on the season, animals, plants, and will cover whatever is happening in this wonderful environment. Location: […]

Hunter/Gatherers Educational Hike at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Join our expert archaeologist as we explore the challenges of the Archaic hunter and gatherer to survive and thrive in the Sonoran Desert of 2,000 years ago. See important desert flora and fauna, hunting sites and their importance to the survival of an Archaic band. Location: Lost […]

Easy Ride from Pima Dynamite Trailhead Join us for a beautiful single-track ride from Pima Dynamite. This is an intermediate skill level ride with some climbing and fun winding downhills. If there is a short technical section on a trail, there will always be a by-pass or you may walk it. We will make short […]

Desert 101 Educational Walk at Gateway Trailhead The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. 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. Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ […]

Hawknest/Axle Grease Ride at Pima Dynamite Trailhead Join us on this ride up Axle Grease to West Express, Hawknest, and Basalt Ridge, ending with an exciting flowy downhill on Hawknest back to the trailhead. This is an intermediate technical skills and moderate cardio ride. Location: Pima Dynamite Trailhead - 28777 N Pima Rd. Scottsdale, AZ […]

Lecture- Expelled: The Story of the Burning of the Annie White Homestead at Mustang Library or Virtual In August of 1880, troops from Fort McDowell destroyed the homestead of Annie and Patrick White. The homestead was located north of the Fort McDowell military reservation and directly east of Rio Verde. Neither Annie nor Patrick White, […]

Wildflower Educational Hike 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 hike and discover the incredible variety of flowers in this area of the Preserve. Location: Tom’s Thumb Trailhead - 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 […]

Geology Educational Ride at Brown's Ranch Trailhead When, how, and why did all those different rocks get into the Preserve? How about our own earthquake fault? This is an intermediate skills and moderate cardio ride that will take us through the various geological formations of the area. Get the big picture on a bike. Location: […]

The Hidden Desert Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Walking through the desert gives you half the story. There is a hidden world of nocturnal critters. If you look carefully, you can see the evidence of their middens, burrows, and holes. What else is concealed around you? Let us unlock those mysteries on the Camino Campana […]