Granite Mountain to Hawknest Trail Fitness Hike
Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZGranite Mountain Trailhead to Hawknest Trail Fitness This Very Difficult hike will travel 11 miles over about 5-6 hours from the trailhead to the Preserve’s border with the Tonto National Forest and back. Bring plenty of water and snacks or even a trail-appropriate lunch. Experienced hikers suggested. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. No dogs please.Â
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
Arthropod Educational Walk
Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZArthropod Educational Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Spiders, scorpions, bugs! 6 legged, 8 legged, and many legged! About 84% of all animal species are arthropods. Join Dr. Rich Cochran on an easy 2 hour walk to discover the fascinating and diverse world of Arthropods and their role in the ecology of the Sonoran Desert. Bathrooms
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
Missions, Massacres, and Plagues
Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZMissions, Massacres & Plagues Educational Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead. Moderate level hike. Revisit three hundred years of European-Native American contacts and conflicts, from Coronado to the Alamo (1540-1850). Join Don Meserve, expert Archaeologist and Historic Preservationist for about 3 hours covering 4 miles. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail.
Tom’s Thumb to Lookout Mtn. Fitness Hike
Tom’s Thumb Trailhead 23015 N. 128th Street, Scottsdale, AZTom’s Thumb Trailhead to Lookout Mt. Fitness Hike This Very Difficult hike has a steep trail with amazing rock formations. For Experienced hikers.  5.8 miles including a 1,200 ft. elevation gain over about 3.5 hours. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start
Sensing the Desert Family Educational Hike
Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZSensing the Desert Family Educational Hike at Gateway Trailhead What do you see? Can you smell that? Did you hear something? Use your senses to make the desert come alive on this fun and active Family Hike. Be ready to really experience so much of what the desert has to offer. Allow 1 1/2 to
Quartz Trail from Lost Dog Wash Fitness Hike
Lost Dog Wash Trailhead 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZQuartz Trail from Lost Dog Trailhead Fitness Hike This Very Difficult hike will visit the quartz formation that can be seen for miles all over Scottsdale. The hike covers 9 miles in about 5 hours with significant elevation gains on rocky trails. Experienced hikers suggested. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water, snacks and even
More Pie Please
Lost Dog Wash Trailhead 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZMore Pie Please Fitness Hike at Lost Dog Trailhead  Join Steve Dodd on this Moderate hike to burn off some calories with family and friends and you won’t feel a bit guilty about having that second piece of pie!  2.5 miles over about 1.5 hours and some ups and downs. Bathrooms available at the trailhead.
Bike the South from Lost Dog Wash Trailhead
Lost Dog Wash Trailhead 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZBike the South from Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Come ride the southern preserve trails. This is an Advanced Skill and Vigorous Cardio level ride of about 15 miles in 2.5 – 3 hours. We will ride over Taliesin Overlook to the Levee loop and possibly up the Quartz trail. This is a good ride to
Lifecycle of the Saguaro
Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZLifecycle of the Saguaro Education Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead Native only to the Sonoran Desert, these giant cacti are a sight to see! Join PastFinders Don Brockway and Chris Crum to follow the growth of a Saguaro from seed to skeleton and view multi-armed, old Saguaros. This Moderate hike covers 4 miles in about
Marcus Landslide Educational Ride
Tom’s Thumb Trailhead 23015 N. 128th Street, Scottsdale, AZMarcus Landslide Educational Ride from Tom’s Thumb Trailhead We will ride to Marcus Landslide and into the County Park to see the landslide from various viewpoints. This Intermediate Skills and Vigorous Cardio ride covers some significant elevation changes over 3.5 hours. However, there will be numerous stops to discuss and observe the geology of the
Sonoran Sundays: Arthropods
Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZMaster Steward Rich Cochran will present an in-depth talk on some of the fascinating insects and arachnids that inhabit our Sonoran Desert. An expert on arthropods, Rich will provide an up-close look at some fun and interesting species from his vast collection, including a Tarantula Wasp, a Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion, and more.
Desert Origins and Adaptations Educational Hike
Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZDesert Origins and Adaptations Educational Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. Why is the Sonoran Desert here? Join Frank Romaglia as he examines how climate and geomorphology interact to create a desert. He’ll compare and contrast North American deserts, then focus on our Sonoran home and some adaptations necessary to survive this harsh environment. This Moderate
Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator
Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZHike with Natural Resources Coordinator at Granite Mountain Trailhead Spend about 2 hours on an easy hike with John Loleit, the Natural Resources Coordinator, as he discusses various pertinent topics while hiking in the desert. The material will depend on the season, animals, plants, and will cover whatever is happening in this wonderful environment.  Bathrooms
High Desert – Broken Spoke – Hawksnest – Buckshot Trails
Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZHigh Desert, Broken Spoke, Hawknest and Buckshot Trails Fitness Hike from Brown’s Ranch Trailhead This Very Difficult hike will allow you to explore some of the remote trails in the northwest area of the Preserve. 9.3 miles for about 5 hours with rolling hills. Experience hikers suggested. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water, snacks,
Trailside Naturalist Station: Predators
Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZStop by the Trailside Naturalist station at the Gateway Trailhead between 9-11 A.M. to learn about the various predators found in the Preserve.
Sunrise Peak from Lost Dog Wash Fitness Hike
Lost Dog Wash Trailhead 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZSunrise Peak from Lost Dog Trailhead Fitness Hike  This Very Difficult Hike travels the beautiful and challenging west side of Sunrise Peak up to a great 360-degree view of the Valley of the Sun. Experienced hikers suggested. 6.2 miles in about 3.5 hours with elevation gain over 1,300 ft. Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring
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
Gateway to TT9 Overlook Fitness Hike
Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZGateway to Tom’s Thumb TT9 Overlook Fitness Hike from Gateway Trailhead.  This Very Difficult hike takes us to the seldom visited vistas west of Tom’s Thumb that makes you think you are in the Grand Canyon. 9.6 miles in about 5-6 hours with a big climb of 2100 ft! Bathrooms at the trailhead.  Bring water