Granite Mtn Loop, Balanced Rock, Black Hill at Granite Mountain Trailhead. This Difficult 6.5-mile hike with minimal elevation gain will start at the Granite Mountain trailhead. We will do the “Loop”, have a brief stop at the Scenic Overlook, visit Balanced Rock and hopefully catch some early spring flowers the last few miles. For a […]
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1 event,
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1 event,
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Flora in the Desert/Wildflowers Walk 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 2 hour walk to discover the incredible variety of flowers in this area of the preserve. Restrooms are available at the trailhead but no […]
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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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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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The Rocks: Balanced, Amphitheater and Cathedral at Granite Mountain Trailhead. This Very Difficult hike to visit these iconic rock formations will travel just over 9 miles with minimal elevation changes over 3½ to 4 hours. We will stop and enjoy each formation, returning on the Cholla Loop and the Granite Mountain Loop viewing many large […]
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Free
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2 events,
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Ride (Int.) Desert Discovery Ride II at Pima Dynamite Trailhead. Pima Dynamite is very popular with mountain bikers; it provides fun trails designed to climb easily into the northern section and escape the crowds! On the way round, we'll take in some of the more spectacular rock features in this part of the Preserve and […]
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Free
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The World of Arthropods in the Sonoran Desert Did you know that 84% of all animal species are Arthropods and they have a major role in maintaining ecosystems as pollinators, recyclers of nutrients, scavengers and food for other animals? Join Conservancy Steward Rich Cochran, an expert on arthropods, for an in-depth talk on some of the […] |
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1 event,
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Bird Walk at Fraesfield 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 […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Wildflower Educational Hike from 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 Moderate hike to discover the incredible variety of flowers in this area of the Preserve. 3 miles over about 3 hours. Restrooms are available at the […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Matriarchy in the McDowells at Brown's Ranch Trailhead. In honor of International Women's Day, we are celebrating women--both those who are human and those in the animal kingdom--with a leisurely walk on the Jane Rau trail. There are restrooms and water at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Plan […]
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Free
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4 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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Tom's Thumb Lookouts Hike at Tom's Thumb Trailhead. This Very Difficult hike starts at the Tom Thumb Trailhead and travels 6.6 miles with a net elevation gain of around 1,600 feet over 3 to 3½ hours. We will initially head up the Tom's Thumb Trail to the TT9 location and have a great view of […]
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Free
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Flora in the Desert/Wildflowers Walk 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 2 hour walk to discover the incredible variety of flowers in this area of the preserve. Restrooms are available at the trailhead but no […]
RSVP Now
Free
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Bird Migrations – Nature’s Intricately Timed Dance Saturday, March 14, 2026, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 While we enjoy the cheerful presence of local birds at our feeders, each season brings surprise visitors—migratory birds that seem to arrive out of thin air. But their journeys […]
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Free
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4 events,
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Ride Hawknest and Axle Grease (Int.) from 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 for about a 15-mile ride of moderate cardio and some intermediate technical skills. Make sure your bike is […]
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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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All About Plant Phenology at Brown's Ranch Trailhead. This leisurely walk along the Brown's Ranch Jane Rau trail will introduce you to the Conservancy’s ongoing phenology project in the Preserve. WHAT is Phenology? Phenology is the science of studying life cycle events in plants and animals. When does it grow, when is it dormant, when […]
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Free
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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 3.5 hours to cover approximately 15 […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Balanced Rock Hike from Granite Mountain Trailhead. This moderate hike to Balanced Rock and back is one of the most popular from this trailhead and is a gradual uphill on rolling terrain. Plan on 2 hours for 4.5 miles with 300 ft. of elevation gain. Restrooms are available at the trailhead but no water. Please […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Flora in the Desert/Wildflowers Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead. 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: If you have the i-Naturalist application on your phone, it would be a helpful tool to identify different flora. There […]
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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 via Bootlegger, Granite Mountain Loop, Coyote Canyon, Renegade and 136th St. Express trails. Experienced hikers suggested. 6.8 miles in about 3.5 hours with 255 ft. elevation gain and rolling ups and downs. Restrooms are available […]
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Free
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3 events,
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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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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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Flora in the Desert/Wildflowers Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead. 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: If you have the i-Naturalist application on your phone, it would be a helpful tool to identify different flora. There […]
RSVP Now
Free
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1 event,
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Master Planned Developments in Scottsdale Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 A large portion of Scottsdale residents live in master planned developments. Most of the later development in Scottsdale was contained in such developments, but few know that some of the earliest […]
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Free
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1 event,
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Flora in the Desert/Wildflowers Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead. 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: If you have the i-Naturalist application on your phone, it would be a helpful tool to identify different flora. There […]
RSVP Now
Free
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