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Saturday
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1 event,
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Ride to the Crested Saguaros and Lifecycle of the Saguaro (Int.) from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. Ever noticed the Crested Saguaros in the preserve? Come ride with us to see a large number scattered throughout the north. This 3 hour ride will cover 13-15 miles and is rated Advanced Skill and Vigorous Cardio. A bike with […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Marcus Landslide, Feldspar Trails at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead. This Moderate hike visits the giant boulders on the Feldspar trail and continues to the Marcus Landslide geological site, second largest landslide in Arizona. The elevation gain is 400 ft. over 5 miles in about 2.5 hours. Restrooms available at the trailhead but no water. Bring water […]
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Free
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1 event,
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The World of Arthropods 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 on an easy 2 hour walk to discover the fascinating and diverse world of Arthropods and their role in the ecology of […]
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Free
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3 events,
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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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Introduction to Preserve Trailheads and Trails at Brown's Ranch Trailhead. This hike will be targeted to visitors or those fairly new to the Preserve trails. The hike will be about 7 miles, taking about 3 hours, and cover a variety of trails to highlight various aspects of the Preserve trails and point out key locations […]
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Free
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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 Camino Campana and reveal […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Bird Walk at Brown's Ranch 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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2 events,
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More Noteworthy and Notorious Arizonans Educational Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead. Join a City of Scottsdale historian on anther storytelling hike about influential Arizonans such as Mr. Scottsdale, a supreme court justice, the godfather of shock rock, the snake lady, the first female state senator and suffragette, and an Indian/non-Indian artist. All six have interesting tales […]
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Free
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Biodiversity in the Sonoran Desert at Fraesfield Trailhead. The Sonoran Desert is the most biodiverse desert in the world, and the closer you look, the more there is to see! Join us for a Biodiversity Walk along Camino Campana, where we will discover the incredible diversity of the Preserve and learn to see it in […]
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Free
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1 event,
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All About Arizona Educational Hike from Lost Dog Trailhead. This hike is a celebration of Arizona; the state flower, state tree, state mineral, and more. Join us on this Moderate hike with beautiful views and some uphill sections with rocky terrain. 3 miles over about 3 hours. Bathrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring […]
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Free
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5 events,
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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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Geology of Tom's Thumb at Tom's Thumb Trailhead. Enjoy a 90-minute walk near the Tom’s Thumb trailhead to learn about the geology we see around us. Geology basics will be discussed as well as the processes that shaped the McDowells and nearby mountain ranges. We will talk about mineralogy, weathering processes and volcanism in Arizona […]
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Free
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North and South Diablo Hike from Brown's Ranch Trailhead. This hike will visit the unique trails of North and South Diablo north of Cholla Mountain. This Very Difficult hike will take us past the iconic formations of the Amphitheater and Cathedral Rock on the Cholla Loop and return on the Corral Trail near the new […]
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Free
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Love is a Many-Splendored Thing at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Enjoy a pleasant 2.5 hour, 3 mile walk and imagine love and passion for the Women of the McDowells in the 1800-1900s. Please arrive 15 minutes start of the walk. Restrooms and water at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs, […]
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Free
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Poisonous and Venomous Animals of Arizona Saturday, February 14, 2026, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Arizona is home to a diverse array of poisonous and venomous creatures. More species of venomous reptiles are found here than in any other U.S. state. Many of these are […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Ride (Int.) Geology Educational Ride from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. When, how and why did all those different rocks get into the Preserve? How about our own earthquake fault? This Intermediate Skills and Moderate Cardio Ride for about 3 hours over 11-12 miles will take us thru the various geological formations of the area. Get the […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Brown's Ranch Stories at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Join us on a half mile 90-minute walk on the Jane Rau trail where we will talk about the people and events that shaped the history of the Brown's Ranch area. We will discuss the Indigenous people who lived here, the role of the military in the region, […]
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Free
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3 events,
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Crested Saguaro Hike at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Join us on this Difficult hike as we pass by several crested saguaro cacti. This hike is for experienced hikers and will cover 7.8 miles in about 4 hours. Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive […]
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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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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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2 events,
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Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine & Black Hill Hike from Fraesfield Trailhead. This moderate 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. 4.5 miles for about 2 hours. Restrooms available at the trailhead but […]
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Free
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Arizona Birds (Guest Presenter: Arizona Game & Fish) Arizona Birds is a program that educates the public about the various raptors that can be found here, whether as permanent residents or migrating through the state. The program focuses on their natural history and best places to find them in the wild. Nancy Kreuder, Wildlife Education […] |
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2 events,
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Brown's Mountain, Corral, Broken Spoke, Hawknest, and Cone Mountain Trails at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. This Very Difficult hike will take you from Brown's Mountain and Corral trails to Broken Spoke, Hawknest, and Cone Mountain trails. 10.0 miles in about 4 hours with rolling hills, some elevation changes but minimal elevation gain. Experienced hikers suggested. There […]
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Free
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Designing With Nature: Architecture of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and Beyond Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Philip Weddle of Scottsdale based Weddle Gilmore Architects has developed a deep portfolio of community-based projects that connect people to the places in which they […]
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Free
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2 events,
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Secrets of the Preserve Educational Ride (Int.) from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. Ready to discover more about what is in the Preserve, besides the excitement of trail riding? This is the ride for you! Join our archeological stewards in exploring the Preserve's recent ranching history and the ancient way of life of the Native American in […]
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Free
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Women of the McDowells - Doctors, Lawyers, and Spies at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead This leisurely two-hour, half mile walk along the Kovach Family Trail will tell the story of three well educated, visionary, bold and brilliant women who challenged and changed the “status quo”! Please arrive 15 minutes start of the walk. Restrooms and […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Lifecycle of the Saguaro Educational Walk at Granite Mountain 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. This Moderate hike covers 4 miles in about 3 hours over some rolling […]
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Free
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3 events,
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Ride 30 Mile Perimeter Fitness Ride (Dif.) from Pima Dynamite Trailhead. This is a challenging fitness ride focusing on the perimeter trails of the Preserve's Northern Region. The ride is intended for participants seeking a long and intense workout, lasting 4.5 to 4.75 hours and demanding advanced cardiovascular fitness as well as intermediate technical riding […]
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Free
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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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Geology and Flora--Whiskey Bottle and Black Hill at Fraesfield Trailhead. On this hike you’ll see the direct connection between the environment and the desert ecosystem as the plant communities change distinctly when the local geology and terrain changes. The hike is 3 miles long and starts with a moderate climb but then eases into modest […]
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Free
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