Heart of the North Ride
Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZHeart of the North Bike Ride from Granite Mountain Trailhead. Head up toward the Divide with us on an Intermediate Skill and Moderate Cardio ride for 3 hours to cover 15 miles. A bike with wide knobby tires is required. All our rides are “No Drop”, meaning we will not leave you. Please, no road
Sunrise Trailhead Overflow Lot to Andrews-Kinsey Trail
Sunrise Trailhead Overflow Parking 12101 N. 145th Way, Scottsdale, AZSunrise Trail to Andrews-Kinsey Trail Fitness Hike from Sunrise Trailhead overflow parking lot.  Burn off some calories on this picturesque and challenging hike. This Very Difficult hike climbs 900 ft. to a saddle and then continues on the Andrews-Kinsey Trail to a spectacular view overlooking the Fountain Hills Preserve before returning. 6.8 miles, total elevation
Trailside Naturalist – Bird Nests
Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZStop by the Trailside Naturalist station at Gateway Trailhead between 9-11 am to learn about all the different types of nests our desert birds make.
Venom in the Preserve
Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZVenom in the Preserve Educational Walk from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.  Some reptiles and arthropods in the Sonoran Desert use venom or other poisons to defend themselves or subdue their prey. Learn how to recognize these animals that bite and sting and the effect of their venom. Join Dr. Rich Cochran on an easy 1.5 hour
Stagecoach, High Desert & The Divide
Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZStagecoach, High Desert & The Divide Fitness Hike from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. This Very Difficult hike will head north of Cholla Mountain into the lesser traveled areas with great vistas of the Tonto and points north. Experienced hikers suggested. About 4.5 hours to cover 9 miles on rolling terrain. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead.
Mountain Bike Skills Clinic
Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZMountain Bike Skills Clinic at Fraesfield Trailhead New to mountain biking? Looking to refresh your skills, improve your technique, enhance safety awareness and increase your overall enjoyment on the trails? Then come prepared with a mountain bike with knobby tires, helmet, water, and snacks. We begin with a demonstration and presentation by experienced riders covering
Marcus Landslide Educational Hike
Tom’s Thumb Trailhead 23015 N. 128th Street, Scottsdale, AZMarcus Landslide Educational Hike from Tom’s Thumb Trailhead Join Toni Vallee as she opens your eyes to the Marcus Landslide geological site, second largest landslide in Arizona. This Moderate educational hike will 4 miles in about 3 hours with 400 ft of elevation gains. Bathrooms at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail.
Return to Azatlan Educational Hike
Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZReturn to Azatlan Educational Hike. Â 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 PastFinders Don Meserve and Chris Crum for a hike through one of the largest archeological sites in central Arizona, which lies right next
Axle Grease and Hawknest Fitness Hike
Pima Dynamite Trailhead 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZAxle Grease and Hawknest Fitness Hike at Pima Dynamite Trailhead  This is a Difficult hike due to its 6.7 miles over about 3.5 hours and covers some rolling hills for Experienced hikers. Explore the impressive new trails with nice views and granite formations. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike. Bathrooms and water available at
Secrets of the Preserve Educational Ride
Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZSecrets of the Preserve Educational Ride from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead: Ready to discover more about what is in the Preserve, beside the excitement of a trail riding? This is the ride for you! Join PastFinder Franco Farina to explore the Preserve's recent ranching history and the ancient way of life of the Native American in a
Gateway to Windgate Pass Fitness Hike
Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZGateway to Windgate Pass Fitness Hike 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
Bird Walk
Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZBird Walk from Fraesfield Trailhead Join Kathe Anderson and Rick Pearce for about 2 hours to see some of our area’s full-time resident birds. It also gives us a chance to see spring migrants, for example: Wilson’s, Lucy’s, Townsend’s, or yellow warbler, or early summer residents white-winged dove, turkey vulture or ash-throated flycatcher. Bathrooms available
Wildflower Educational Walk from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead
Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZCome celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join Marsha Lipps on this easy walk to discover the incredible variety of flowers in the spectacular Jane Rau Interpretive Trail. 1 mile over about 1.5 hours. Restrooms at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No
Tom’s Thumb Trailhead and Long Loop Fitness Hike
Tom’s Thumb Trailhead 23015 N. 128th Street, Scottsdale, AZThis very difficult hike explores the rugged and scenic views of the Preserve. We will go up Tom's Thumb to East End and return via the McDowell Regional Park. In 9.3 miles, there is over 1,500 ft. elevation change in about 5 hours. Bring a snack or light lunch and water for the trail. There
Kovach Family Trail Walk
Lost Dog Wash Trailhead 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZKovach Family Trail Walk from Lost Dog Trailhead. Join us for a leisurely walk on the beautiful Kovach Family Trail.  A slower pace over 0.7 mile will allow us time to stop for various discussions of the desert. Allow 1-1.5 hours. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive
Wildflower Educational Hike
Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZWildflower Educational Hike from Granite Mt Trailhead. Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join Steve Dodd and Roger Riepe on this Moderate hike to discover the incredible variety of flowers in this area of the preserve. 3 miles over about 2 hours. Restrooms at the
Balanced Rock and Whiskey Bottle Fitness Hike
Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZBalanced Rock and Whiskey Bottle Fitness Hike at Granite Mt Trailhead This Difficult hike will go to Balanced Rock along the very scenic south side of Granite Mtn. We will then hike to the Whiskey Bottle trail and return via the Turpentine Trail. Experienced hikers suggested. 7.3 miles in about 3.5 hours over rolling hills.
Women’s Bike Ride
Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZWomen’s Bike Ride from Granite Mountain Trailhead. This all woman’s bike ride is a Intermediate Skill level ride and Vigorous Cardio around the Granite mountain loop and beyond.  This is again a step up in intensity from the previous Woman’s Ride.  It is a “No Drop” ride meaning no one will be left behind. Plan
Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine & Black Hill Fitness Hike
Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZWhiskey Bottle, Turpentine & Black Hill Fitness Hike from Fraesfield Trailhead This Difficult 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. 6.1 miles for about 3 hours. Bathrooms available at the trailhead.
Bike Ride With Natural Resources Coordinator
Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZBike Ride with Natural Resources Coordinator at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. Ride to some great places with John Loleit as he discusses the wonders of the desert preserve. This Beginner+ Skills and Moderate Cardio ride will have numerous stops but still cover 6 miles in 2 hours. Seeing it from a bike gives you a bigger