Gateway Trailhead

Name: Sonoran Sundays – The World of Arthropods
Start: 2026-03-08T15:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-08T16:00:00+00:00
Location: Gateway Trailhead

18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255 United States Get Directions

https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/gateway

Events at this venue

November 2025
November 25 @ 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Gateway to Windgate Pass Hike

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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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November 29 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Sonoran Desert 101 – Educational Walk

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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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November 30 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sonoran Sundays – Sonoran Desert Life (Guest Presenter: Phoenix Zoo Educators)

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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 […]
December 2025
December 4 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am

The World of Arthropods – Educational Walk

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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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December 7 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sonoran Sundays – Sonoran Sparing: Desert Birds of Prey (Guest Presenter: Wild at Heart)

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Sonoran Sparing: Desert Birds of Prey (Guest Presenter: Wild at Heart) Enjoy an up-close meeting with native birds of prey by Wild at Heart, a local raptor rescue, rehabilitation and release center for these kinds of bird. Learn why these remarkable birds are rescued, how they can be rehabilitated and released back into the wild, […]
December 9 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Gateway to Inspiration Point Hike

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Gateway to Inspiration Point at Gateway Trailhead. This Moderate hike has above average elevation gains and will be geared for those that do not frequently do elevation hikes. For this 6-mile hike with about 750 feet of elevation gain up to the Point, we plan on taking 2.5 to 3 hours with frequent stops and […]

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December 25 @ 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

Christmas Day Hike

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Christmas Day Hike at Gateway Trailhead. Embrace the spirit of the holiday on this picturesque hike on the Gateway Loop that will take you into the heart of the McDowells. This is a moderate hike of 4.5 miles in about 2.5 hours with significant elevation gain of 700 ft. Restrooms and water available at the […]

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January 2026
January 18, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sonoran Sundays – Mammals of the Sonoran Desert (Guest Presenter: Maricopa Parks and Recreation)

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Sonoran Sundays - Mammals of the Sonoran Desert (Guest Presenter: Maricopa Parks and Recreation) Want to learn more about the Sonoran Desert’s amazing mammals? Would you like some tips to increase your chances of seeing wildlife while hiking? Then you’re going to want to join Ranger Kevin of Maricopa Parks and Recreation for a closer […]
February 2026
February 22, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sonoran Sundays – Arizona Birds (Guest Presenter: Arizona Game & Fish)

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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 […]
March 2026
March 8, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sonoran Sundays – The World of Arthropods

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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 […]

Gateway Trailhead

Events at this venue

November 2025

Sonoran Desert 101 – Educational Walk

Sonoran Sundays – Sonoran Desert Life (Guest Presenter: Phoenix Zoo Educators)

December 2025

The World of Arthropods – Educational Walk

Sonoran Sundays – Sonoran Sparing: Desert Birds of Prey (Guest Presenter: Wild at Heart)

Christmas Day Hike

January 2026

Sonoran Sundays – Mammals of the Sonoran Desert (Guest Presenter: Maricopa Parks and Recreation)

February 2026

Sonoran Sundays – Arizona Birds (Guest Presenter: Arizona Game & Fish)

March 2026

Sonoran Sundays – The World of Arthropods

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