Granite Mountain Loop and Balanced Rock at Granite Mountain Trailhead Join us and hike on one of the classic paths in the Preserve and a side trip to Balanced Rock. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~6.8 miles Time: ~3.5 hours Pets

Lifecycle of the Saguaro Educational Hike 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. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill

Trailside Naturalist – Big Cats in the Preserve at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Time: ~2.5 hours Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to learn about mountain lions that live in the Preserve. Mountain Lions, also known in North America as the

Desert 101 North Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran

Ride Thirty Miler at Pima Dynamite Trailhead This ride is longer and more intense than our other rides, tracking the perimeter of the northern Preserve. This is a difficult skill and a vigorous cardio ride. Location: Pima Dynamite Trailhead - 28777 N Pima Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~30 miles Time: ~5

Flora in the Preserve Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours 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:

Taliesin, Old Jeep and Ringtail Hike at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Come hike some of the original trails in the Preserve with great views of Scottsdale and the desert. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead - 12601 N 124th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~5.5 miles Time: ~3 hours Pets

Lecture- Architectural Design Principles for the Sonoran Desert at Mustang Library Doug Sydnor had an architectural practice in Scottsdale for many years. His presentation will explore the Sonoran Desert and the environmental conditions that suggest how an appropriate architecture should respond to these conditions. Such responses will include a series of passive energy saving concepts

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Granite Mountain Trailhead Spend about 2 hours on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various desert topics are discussed. The material will depend on what we see in this wonderful environment. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead – 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262

Expedition Days Homeschool Day at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Join us for a day of fun interactive experiences in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Learn about your place in the Sonoran Desert and how the choices you make in your daily life affect the future of our environment. Location: Lost Dog Trailhead - 12601 N.

Expedition Days Family Day at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Join us for a day of fun interactive experiences in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Learn about your place in the Sonoran Desert and how the choices you make in your daily life affect the future of our environment. Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead – 12601

What's in Your Backpack? Educational Walk at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Time: 2 hours Our Preserve in the Sonoran Desert is beautiful. But most of the inhabitants, both flora and fauna, want to stick you, prick you or bite you. Your safety is important to

Sonoran Sunday: Back From the Brink – A Story of Recovery” the Mexican Gray Wolf at Brown's Ranch Do you know about Southwest Wildlife? Listen and learn as Robyn Moul, Lead Education Specialist, Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center talks about the only sanctuary in Arizona capable of rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing large predators, and their efforts

Marcus Landslide Educational Hike at Tom's Thumb Trailhead Location: Tom’s Thumb Trailhead - 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~4 miles Time: ~3 hours Open your eyes to the Marcus Landslide geological site, the second largest landslide in Arizona. Elevation gain of 400 ft. Pets are not permitted at our

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic at Pima Dynamite Trailhead Location: Pima Dynamite Trailhead - 28777 N Pima Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Beginner Distance: ~3 to 5 miles Time: ~3 hours New to mountain biking? Looking to refresh your skills, improve your technique, enhance safety awareness, and increase your overall enjoyment on the trails? Then

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead - 12601 N 124th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Join us on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various desert topics are discussed. The material will depend on what

Return to Azatlan Educational Hike Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~4 miles Time: ~4 hours 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 experts for a hike through one of the largest archeological sites in central

Desert 101 South Educational Walk at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and

Axle Grease, Hackamore, and Hawknest Hike at Pima Dynamite Trailhead Location: Pima Dynamite Trailhead - 28777 N Pima Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~6.7 miles Time: ~3.5 hours Explore the impressive newer trails with nice views and granite formations. Experienced hikers suggested. Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety

Women of the McDowells Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Did you know that women comprised the majority of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy's founders and incorporators? Who were they? What were their respective roles? How did