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Upcoming Hikes Join us on a free public hike for a unique experience in the Preserve. Our guides can point out some of the Preserve's secrets, things you might not notice on your own. Guides will explore every trail and share information about a variety of topics on hikes throughout the year. There's a guided hike for almost every interest and hiking level. We take our time, stop often to talk about what we see, and admire our surroundings. If you are interested in booking a hike for a group, please call us at 480-998-7971 x 100. After learning more about your interests, we can put something together that meets your specific needs. |
Gateway Loop |
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Date: Meeting Place: Distance: Reservations: Supplies: Restrictions: |
Saturday, June 7, 2008 6:30 a.m. to approximately 9:30 a.m. The lot at 104th St. just south of McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd. Take Thompson Peak Pkwy. to McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd. and turn east. Turn south at 104th St. Lot is immediately to the right. No Specific Theme
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Ringtail Loop |
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Date: Meeting Place: Distance: Reservations: Supplies: Restrictions:
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Saturday, June 14, 2008 6:30 a.m. to approximately 8:30 a.m. Lost Dog Trailhead at the end of 124th St north of Via Linda. No Specific Theme Ringtail Trail 2.5 miles No Water and snacks No dogs please
A roundtrip past fine examples of Sonoran Desert plants. Mild inclines only. Keep an eye open for saguaro blossoms like this one. Photo Credit: Marianne Wallace |
Taliesin Overlook |
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Date: Meeting Place: Distance: Reservations: Supplies: Restrictions:
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Saturday, June 21, 2008 6:30 a.m. to approximately 9:30 a.m. The lot at 104th St. just south of McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd. Take Thompson Peak Pkwy. to McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd. and turn east. Turn south at 104th St. Lot is immediately to the right. No Specific Theme Taliesin Overlook via the Quartz Trail 5 miles No Water and snacks No dogs please
A 5-mile roundtrip climbs gradually about 500 feet to a saddle overlooking Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural complex. |
Cactus Trail |
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Date: Meeting Place: Distance: Reservations: Supplies: Restrictions:
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Saturday, June 28, 2008 6:30 a.m. to approximately 9:00 a.m. The end of Alma School Rd. north of Dynamite Blvd. Take Pima Rd. north of the 101 to Dynamite Blvd. and turn east. Turn north at the light at Alma School Rd. Continue to end. Park on either side. No Specific Theme Cactus Trail A Favorite Trail of our Stewards 3.2 miles No Water and snacks No dogs please; A portion of this trail is located on what currently is State Trust land but is within the voter-approved recommended boundary for the Preserve. The City of Scottsdale is working actively in partnership with MSC to acquire the area for preservation. The Arizona State Land Department requires a permit and charges a fee for use of State Trust land. The MSC has a group permit which covers participants on MSC-sponsored hikes. Please obtain your own permit if you wish to use this trail on other occasions.
Our prettiest short trail loops 3.2 miles along Little Granite Mountain past some of the finest stands of saguaro cactus extant. |
Balanced Rock |
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Date: Meeting Place: Distance: Reservations: Supplies: Restrictions:
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Saturday, July 5 , 2008 6:30 a.m. to approximately 9:00 a.m. The end of Alma School Rd. north of Dynamite Blvd. Take Pima Rd. north of the 101 to Dynamite Blvd. and turn east. Turn north at the light at Alma School Rd. Continue to end. Park on either side. No Specific Theme Balanced Rock 4 miles No Water and snacks No dogs please; A portion of this trail is located on what currently is State Trust land but is within the voter-approved recommended boundary for the Preserve. The City of Scottsdale is working actively in partnership with MSC to acquire the area for preservation. The Arizona State Land Department requires a permit and charges a fee for use of State Trust land. The MSC has a group permit which covers participants on MSC-sponsored hikes. Please obtain your own permit if you wish to use this trail on other occasions.
A 4-mile roundtrip visits a striking rock formation. See a native juniper tree, a holdover from an earlier era. Mild inclines only. |
