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Cultural Resources Lecture: A Story of the Indian Bend Wash Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Presenter: Don Hadder, Sr.’s presentation covers the complete story of the Indian Bend Wash flood control project and the many steps that made this project possible. […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Boojada Adventure Walk at Gateway Trailhead When you think about Halloween, it's normal to think of spooky and scary symbols like spiders, spider webs, and bats. But if you learn a little more about these creatures in the Sonoran Desert, you may discover that there is not much to be afraid of! So, join us […]
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Free
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2 events,
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Sonoran Desert 101 - The Hidden Desert 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 […]
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Free
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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 […]
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Free
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2 events,
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Bird Walk at Granite Mountain 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. […]
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Free
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Patrol the Stoneman Road Educational Ride from Fraesfield Trailhead. The Stoneman Road was a military road created in 1870, connecting Fort McDowell and Fort Whipple. Join us to patrol some of the historical remnants of this road and listen to the story of the people who made it. This is an Intermediate biker skill with […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Granite Mountain, 136 Express, and Hawknest Trails Hike from Granite Mountain Trailhead. This Very Difficult hike will travel 10.6 miles with 303 feet of elevation gain over about 4.5 hours from the trailhead to the Preserve’s border with the Tonto National Forest and back. Bring plenty of water and snacks or even a trail-appropriate lunch. […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Geology Along the Campana Trail at Fraesfield Trailhead. This two-hour, leisurely-paced guided walk will highlight some of the geologic features visible from the Camino Campana Trail. We'll discuss the rocks, landscape, and geologic history with reference to how they influence the climate, ecology and human history of the region. No dogs please. Restrooms are available […]
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Free
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4 events,
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Walk Like a Tortoise Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead. Join us as we learn about and look for signs of the Sonoran Desert Tortoise. This leisurely walk of less than 1 mile on the Jane Rau Trail will give us plenty of time to tell stories about the tortoise. We will talk about their […]
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Free
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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 […]
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Free
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Sunrise Trail to Andrews-Kinsey Trail from Lost Dog Wash Trailhead. Burn off some calories on this picturesque and challenging hike. This Very Difficult hike climbs 1032 ft. to the Andrews-Kinsey Trail and continues to a spectacular view overlooking the Fountain Hills Preserve before returning. 6.8 miles, total elevation gain of 1,187 ft. for about 4 […]
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Free
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Geology is Ecology’s Destiny Speakers: Dan Gruber / Mike Nolan Date: Saturday November 8, 2025 Time: 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM When most people think of an ecosystem, they think of the relationship between plants and animals in an area. But the most fundamental ecological relationship is between the environment and everything that lives there. […]
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2 events,
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Veterans Day Hike at Lost Dog Trailhead. To honor our Veterans, an easy loop on gently rolling terrain is planned. We will hold a special ceremony at the trailhead at the end of the hike. Join us for 3 miles over about 2.5 hours with elevation gain of about 250 ft. Restrooms and water are […]
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Free
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Brown’s Mountain, Cone Mountain, Latigo 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 Mtn., Cone Mt. and finally the scenic Latigo trail. This is a Difficult hike of 6.3 miles with 366 ft. elevation gain over about 3 hours […]
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Free
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2 events,
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Desert Connections Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead. Everything in the desert is connected and always changing. We'll explore how the environment--the mountains, the rocks, the climate, the washes--affects the plants and animals that live here, how living things in turn change the environment, and how climate change and increasing development may impact what we see […]
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Free
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Women’s Bike Ride (Beg.) from Fraesfield 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 3.5 hours to cover approximately 9 miles. […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Women's Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead. This hike is perfect for women or those who identify as women. Join us on this moderate hike on one of the classic paths in the preserve. About 3 hours to cover 6 miles around Granite Mountain with 330 ft. elevation gain. Experienced hikers suggested. Restrooms available at trailhead […]
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Free
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3 events,
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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. […]
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Free
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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, […]
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Free
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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. […]
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Free
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2 events,
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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, […]
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Free
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Rattlesnakes! Fact & Fiction (Guest Presenter: Rattlesnake Solutions) Few animals spawn mythology and fish stories like they do. In working with thousands of rattlesnakes and people in the valley, Bryan Hughes from Rattlesnake Solutions has heard it all. Learn to stay safe in the outdoors, what to do if you see a rattlesnake, and most […] |
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2 events,
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Crested Saguaro Hike from Granite Mt. Trailhead. Join us on this Difficult hike as we pass by 3 crested saguaro cacti. This hike is for experienced hikers and will cover 7 miles with 255 ft. elevation gain in about 3 hours. Restrooms are available at the trailhead but no water. Bring water and snacks for […]
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Free
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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 and 2. This is an instructional ride to practice the skills taught with instruction at various points on the ride. A […]
RSVP Now
Free
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1 event,
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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 our archeological experts for a hike through one of the largest archeological sites in central Arizona, which lies right next door to […]
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Free
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2 events,
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Gateway to Windgate Pass from Gateway Trailhead. Head up to Windgate Pass on this Very Difficult hike with a visit to Inspiration Viewpoint. Along the way, you may see some wildflowers that only grow at higher elevations such as the Mariposa Lily. 7.5 miles over about 3.5 – 4 hours with elevation gain of 1,300 […]
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Free
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Cultural Resources Lecture: A Dozen Ways to Die in the Desert: The Old West Version Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 This presentation covers more unusual ways in which people ended up ten toes in the air in the middle of the […]
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Free
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1 event,
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More Pie Please Hike at Lost Dog Trailhead. Join us for this Moderate hike to burn off some calories with family and friends. 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. Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring […]
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Free
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2 events,
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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 […]
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Free
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Brown's Mountain Lookout to Interpretive Trail at Brown's Ranch Trailhead. This “combo” hike/education event will take us up the Brown's Ranch Trail to the Lookout and then head over to the Brown's Ranch Interpretive Trail to be introduced to the history of the Brown's Ranch. For this 4.3-mile Moderate hike with about 450 feet of […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Sonoran Desert Life (Guest Presenter: Phoenix Zoo Educators) Join Phoenix Zoo for a fascinating look at why the best thing we can do for desert animals like snakes and tortoises is often… nothing at all. Learn what to do (and not to do) when you encounter these creatures in the wild, and why well meaning […] |
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1 event,
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The World of Arthropods at Gateway 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 on an easy 2 hour walk to discover the fascinating and diverse world of Arthropods and their role in the ecology of the […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Bootlegger, Coyote Canyon, Renegade Trails at Granite Mountain Trailhead. This Difficult hike explores the more remote part of the Preserve. Experienced hikers suggested. 6.8 miles in about 3.5 hours with 255 ft. elevation gain and rolling ups and downs. There are restrooms available at the trailhead but no water. Bring water and snacks for the […]
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Free
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3 events,
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Sonoran Desert 101 at Tom's Thumb 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 […]
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Free
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Secrets of the Preserve Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead. Ready to discover more about what is in the Preserve? 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. There are restrooms available at the trailhead but no water. Bring water, […]
RSVP Now
Free
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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 […]
RSVP Now
Free
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