Brown’s Mountain, Cone Mountain, and Latigo Trail Loop Hike at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Join us for a trip around Brown’s Mountain and Cone Mountain. We travel on Upper Ranch, Wrangler, Brown’s Mountain, Cone Mountain, and finally the scenic Latigo Trail. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: […]

Ride Twenty Miler at Pima Dynamite Trailhead If you would like to join us for the 30-mile perimeter ride on February 24 but aren’t sure you are sufficiently fit, this ride definitely is for you. If you can ride 20 miles, you  should have no problem with 30. Even if the 30 miler is not […]

Arthropods Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Spiders, scorpions, bees, and wasps are just the beginning – there are more species of arthropods in the world than any other group of animals. Join us to discover the fascinating and diverse world of arthropods and their role in the ecology of the Sonoran Desert. Location: Brown’s […]

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? Then come prepared with a mountain bike with knobby tires, helmet, water, and snacks. We begin with a demonstration and presentation by experienced riders […]

Bootlegger/Coyote Canyon Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead This hike explores the more remote part of the Preserve via Bootlegger, Granite Mountain Loop, Coyote Canyon, Renegade, and 136th St. Express trails. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~6.8 miles Time: ~3.5 hours Pets […]

Trailside Naturalist – Rattling on about Rattlers at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Time: ~2.5 hours Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to learn about the five species of rattlesnakes that live in the Sonoran Desert. Did you know? - That a […]

Desert 101 South 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 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Pets […]

Ride to the Crested Saguaros at Granite Mountain Trailhead Ever notice the crested saguaros in the Preserve? Come ride with us to see a large number scattered throughout the north. This is an advanced skill and vigorous cardio ride. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate Distance: […]

Lecture- Rust, Dust, Crust …Discovering Desert Surfaces at Mustang Library The Hills are Alive! If you think the desert floor is all dust, gravel and rocks, then you haven’t taken a good look beneath your feet. The desert’s surface is full of life in the form of soil crust, lichen and desert varnish – the […]

Bird Walk at Tom's Thumb Trailhead Join us to see some of our cool weather resident birds such as phainopepla, white-crowned sparrow, black-throated sparrow, Brewer's sparrow, and ruby-crowned kinglet, in addition to year-round birds such as thrashers, wrens, verdins, gnatcatchers and towhees. Bring your binoculars. Location: Tom's Thumb Trailhead - 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, […]

Lifecycle of the Saguaro Educational Walk at Browns's Ranch 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. Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 […]

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 desert topics are discussed. The material will depend on what we see in this wonderful environment. Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead - 12601 N 124th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 […]

Latigo, Scorpion, Snake Eyes, Dare A Sarah Trails at Pima Dynamite Trailhead This hike winds through many boulder formations in the northwest Preserve in an area mostly seen only by mountain bikers. Let your imagination run wild as you visualize familiar shapes in the formations. Although the terrain is rolling, the trails occasionally traverse the […]

Ride Beginner Next Step at Pima Dynamite Trailhead This will be an opportunity for beginner riders to review the skills learned in the Mountain Bike Skills Clinic and be exposed to new adventures. If you have not attended one of the clinics, you should have solid basic skills on single-track to benefit from this class. […]

Trailside Naturalist – Original Rock Climber and Pest Control at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead – 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Time: ~2.5 hours Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to find out all about the elusive ringtail; Sonoran Desert resident and state mammal. One of the most exciting small […]

Botany Educational Hike at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Have you ever wondered what that plant is, or why it only grows in certain locations? Join our expert botanist to learn this and a lot more. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~3 miles Time: ~2 […]

Desert Surfaces Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead What really covers the desert – little organisms can make a big difference! Some of the most common sights in the desert – and indeed the living things that probably cover more of the desert than any single kind of plant – are lichen, desert varnish, and […]

Hunter Gatherers Educational Walk at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead - 12601 N 124th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 Skill level: Easy Distance: ~0.5 miles Time: ~2 hours Join us as we explore the challenges of the Archaic hunter and gatherer to survive and thrive in the Sonoran Desert of 2,000 years […]

Patrol the Stoneman Road Educational Ride at Fraesfield Trailhead The Stoneman Road was a military road created in 1870, connecting Ft. McDowell and Ft. Whipple. Remnants of the road remain in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Learn the story of the road and the people who made it, while we patrol portions of the actual route. This […]

Women's Granite Mountain Loop Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead Join us and hike on one of the classic paths in the Preserve. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~6 miles Time: ~3 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to […]

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Tom's Thumb Trailhead Spend about 2 hours on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various desert topics are discussed. The material will depend on what we see in this wonderful environment. Location: Tom's Thumb Trailhead - 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 […]

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

Flora in the Preserve Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Preserve is located in one of the most biodiverse areas of the Sonoran Desert. Learn about the plant life that thrives in this area. Note: […]

Mountain Bike Skills 2.0 at Pima Dynamite Trailhead Are you ready to learn some new mountain bike skills? Join us for our Mountain Bike Skills 2.0! We will be tackling steeper climbs and downhills and working on body position and gear selection for climbing and descending. This is for riders who have already completed our […]

Ride Brown’s Ranch to Dove Valley (Intermediate) at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Join us for a fun, moderate cardio, single-track ride from Brown’s Ranch riding on beautiful smooth single track trails through Balanced Rock, Cholla Mountain eventually up to Dove Valley and back. The route includes some climbing and fun winding downhills. We will make short […]

Stoneman Road Educational Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead The Stoneman Road was created as an “expressway” between Ft. McDowell and Ft. Whipple (near Prescott) in the 1870's. Join PastFinders experts as we walk portions of the actual route and discuss its origin, namesake and value to our history. Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde […]

Granite Mountain Loop and Balanced Rock at Granite Mountain Trailhead Join us and hike on one of the classic paths in the Preserve and a side trip to Balanced Rock. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~6.8 miles Time: ~3.5 hours Pets […]

Preserve Origins Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours 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 […]

Lecture- Scottsdale: Mecca for The Arabian Horse at Mustang Library The upcoming Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has been a signature equestrian and tourism event since 1956. Now, the biggest Arabian show in the world, this event has been held at Westworld in Scottsdale for over 30 years. Hear how local breeders Ed Tweed, Anne and […]

Cowpoke-Granite Mountain & Bootlegger Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead This hike covers some beautiful areas of the eastern Preserve with some of the most impressive saguaro stands in the Preserve. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~4.5 miles Time: ~3 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you […]

Desert 101 North Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours 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 […]

Secrets of the Preserve Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours 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 […]

Walk Like a Tortoise Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Distance: ~1 mile Time: ~2 hours Join us as we learn about and look for signs of the Sonoran Desert tortoise. This leisurely walk on the Jane Rau Trail […]

Women's Bike Ride (Beginners) at Brown's Ranch Trailhead This all women’s bike ride is an beginner skill level ride and Moderate Cardio.  This ride is perfect for those who identify as women. Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate Distance: ~10-12 miles Time: ~3 hours Please, […]

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? Then come prepared with a mountain bike with knobby tires, helmet, water, and snacks. We begin with a demonstration and presentation by experienced riders […]

Trailside Naturalist – Butterfly Abundance, Richness and Diversity at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead – 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Time: ~2.5 hours Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to find out all about the many species of butterflies that live in the Preserve. Pipevines and sulphers and skippers, oh […]

Desert 101 South 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 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Pets […]