Bring a lunch and an open mind and learn from ranger Derik how to start hiking in our desert parks. Topics covered in the program will include how to choose a trail, how to prepare for a hike, how much water to bring, desert safety, what gear to bring, what clothing to wear, and much [...]
We will hike 4 miles on sections of the San Tan, Moonlight, and Gold Mine trails together the route is rated as moderate. The trails are rocky, sandy, and uneven make sure to wear proper footwear and bling plenty of water. Bathrooms and a water fountain are available at the nature center. MEETING LOCATION: Moonlight [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for a 3-mile hike on the Yavapai trail. Trail is rated moderate, with some stretches of loose rock, uneven terrain and elevation change. Our goal is to watch the sun rise over the lake from the trail, and then head up to the peak for one of the best views of the [...]
Hike 5 miles along sections of the Rainbow valley, Dysart and Toothaker trails through rolling hills and sandy washes. This trail is rated as moderate and can be steep and rocky in some sections. We will be out for several hours so make sure you have plenty of water, sunscreen, and a snack. It is [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for a 2.8-mile hike along the Gila, Baseline and Horseshoe trails as we set off in search of wildflowers, blooming trees, shrubs and cacti as well as the butterflies that visit them. You will learn about the Parks Department butterfly monitoring initiative and receive an identification handout to help with your own [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an exciting evening hike along the Black Rock Loop trail. We’ll be on the lookout for all kinds of evening-active critters, from skunks to scorpions, spiders, snakes, fox, coyote, deer, owls and more! The trail is rated easy with little loose rock, uneven surfaces or elevation change. Please bring water and [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the animals, plants, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. We will hike 3.5 miles roundtrip on a loop of Slate, Jasper, Go John, Quartz Trails. It will be on moderate grade, with frequently rocky or uneven ground. Please dress in layers, wear protective clothing and/or [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the animals, plants, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. We will hike 7.2 miles roundtrip on the Elephant Mountain loop, including segments of Spur Cross, Tortuga, and Elephant Mountain Trails. It will be on moderate to difficult grade, with frequently rocky or uneven ground. Please [...]
Are you looking to do a very challenging hike, but don’t want to go alone? Join Ranger Kevin for a 6-mile hike on the scenic Ford Canyon trail. We’ll keep an eye out for wildlife and springtime wildflowers as we go. Trail conditions are rated difficult to extremely difficult, so expect loose rock, uneven terrain, [...]
Explore the wonders of the Sonoran Desert while you hone your skills on the varied terrain of one of Pima County’s beautiful desert trails that coincides with AZT passage 8. Trail running offers a wonderful opportunity to explore and connect with the natural world, while providing a fun and engaging way to get a great [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the animals, plants, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. We will hike 2.9 miles on the North Trail loop. It is rated as easy, but has some uneven or sandy surfaces. Please dress in layers, wear protective clothing and/or sunscreen, wear sturdy footwear, and carry [...]
Learn about the plants, animals, and ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert on this guided hike with Ranger Eric. Click on program title for details. Join Ranger Eric on a 2.4-mile roundtrip hike on the Cottonwood Trail, as we learn about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and its unique flora and fauna. The hike is rated as [...]
Learn about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and its unique plants and animals during this guided hike with Ranger Eric. Click on program title for details. Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the flora, fauna, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert on this 3.4-mile loop hike of Blevins, Meridian, and Amigos Wash [...]
Join us on passage 4 for a morning of trail work and afternoon of hiking in honor of Women's History Month! Group camping will be available near the worksite Friday and Saturday. All are welcome! Our primary project will involve rock work to address an area of degraded tread. Other tasks may include brushing and drainage [...]
Join Ranger Nikki to search for and learn about wildflowers and flowering shrubs. Click program title for more details. Ranger Nikki will lead you on an easy to moderate terrain 2-mile walk to learn about common spring wildflowers and flowering shrubs. Possible sightings include fiddleneck, poppies, lupine, scorpionweed, brittlebush, globemallow and more! You can [...]
Ranger Nikki will lead you on an easy to moderate terrain 2-mile walk to learn about common spring wildflowers and flowering shrubs. Possible sightings include fiddleneck, poppies, lupine, scorpionweed, brittlebush, globemallow and more! You can also learn how to document your findings on the citizen science app, iNaturalist. The route will be an out-and-back walk [...]
Join Ranger Kevin on a moderate hike to look for late-season wildflowers and other blooming plants, as well as butterflies. Join Ranger Kevin for a 3.5-mile hike along parts of the Overton and Go John Trails as we set off in search of wildflowers, blooming trees, shrubs and cacti as well as the butterflies that [...]
Learn about the resident and migrant birds of desert riparian areas on this guided walk with Ranger Eric. Join Ranger Eric for a guided bird walk to look and listen for resident and migrant species within the diverse desert riparian habitat of the Hassayampa River Preserve. Along the way we will discuss how to identify [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a 6.2-mile loop of the southern part of San Tan Trail and Moonlight Trail, which gives scenic views of the southern part of the park including the Malpais Hills Cliffs in the distance. Along the way, we will look for spring wildflowers and learn about the flora, fauna, and ecology of [...]
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: Tom’s Thumb Trailhead – 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 Bathrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water for [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a moderate to extremely difficult, but scenic 8.3-mile hike while learning about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and the White Tank Mountains. We may see early wildflowers in places, depending on how much winter precipitation falls and how cold it is then. The hike may take 5-6 hours. Hiking poles are definitely [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a moderate to extremely difficult, but scenic 8.3-mile hike while learning about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and the White Tank Mountains. We may see early wildflowers in places, depending on how much winter precipitation falls and how cold it is then. The hike may take 5-6 hours. Hiking poles are definitely [...]
If you’ve been looking for a challenging, but satisfying, 4-day backcountry trail maintenance event in the beautiful Mazatzal Wilderness, then please plan to join us March 22-25 on passage 23, segment 23a of the Mazatzal Divide Trail. Basic backpacking skills and fitness are required for this self-supported trip. Tools, PPE, and training will be provided [...]
Explore a 2-to-3-mile section of the Anza Trail during an easy, level interpretive hike. . Learn about the cultural and natural history of the Santa Cruz Valley. Travel on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail to the area of La Canoa where the expedition to found San Francisco camped after leaving Tubac Presidio [...]
Hike the Pipeline Trail with Ranger Derik to learn about the many plants that can be eaten in the desert and about the native peoples that first harvested them. Click program title for more details. We will hike 2.5 miles out and back of the pipeline canyon trail starting from the cottonwood day use area. [...]
Join Ranger Kevin on an easy-moderate hike to look for wildflowers and other blooming plants, as well as butterflies. Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Kevin for a 2.1-mile hike along the Moonlight, Stargazer and San Tan trails as we set off in search of wildflowers, blooming trees, shrubs and cacti as well [...]
Want to learn how you can connect with nature? Join Ranger Kevin for an introduction to Silent Walking and Sit Spots. Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Kevin as we learn how to make - or strengthen - our connection with nature through the practice of Silent Walking and Sit Spots. This is [...]
Hike with Ranger Derik through pristine Riparian habitat and learn about the many plants and animals that call the Sonoran Desert home. Click on program title for more details. The hike will be roughly 2 miles and include sections of River Ramble and Lykes Lookout Trails taking you from riparian habitat and transitioning you [...]
Join Ranger Kevin on an easy hike to look for wildflowers and other blooming plants, as well as butterflies. Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Kevin for a 2-mile hike along the Waterfall trail as we set off in search of wildflowers, blooming trees, shrubs and cacti as well as the butterflies that [...]
The areas all along Cave Creek Wash are abundant in desert flora and fauna and steeped in history. P.A. Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon is no exception. The preserve not only holds a sensitive riparian habitat, it is also rich in archaeology, mining, and ranching history. Join us as we explore this preserve in [...]
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