With the temperatures cooling down and fall colors just around up north, it’s a great time to start planning a backpacking trip in our beautiful state. Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Derik for a beginner backpack course topics covered with include how to pick a trail, what to pack, what to eat, [...]
Now celebrating 11 years, the Cave Creek Thriller hosts four different distances and acts as the third race of the Fall Desert Runner Trail Series. What began as a looped course within the Cave Creek Regional Park years ago, 50K runners will have the unique opportunity to connect two regional parks in one day! Starting [...]
Experience the beauty of Cave Creek Regional Park on an array of fun and fast courses at the Thrasher Night Runs. Our new 22K distance is perfect for filling in the gap between our 11K and 33K for you night trail runners ready for a new challenge. This race is part of the 2023 Insomniac [...]
Calling all adventurers! Get your legs pumping and your heartrate up on a strenuous 12-mile hike up into the Tonto National Forest for sweeping views of the mountains and to find hidden rock art carved by the native peoples that once called this place home. The trail is steep, rocky and relentlessly uphill with an [...]
The Night Race within a race! Not ready for 100 Miles or 100K but want to experience Javelina for yourself? This night race has a one loop option for runners who want to experience Javelina and the infamous party at Jackass Junction first hand! Runners are encouraged to dress up for this unique “Jalloween” adventure! [...]
Javelina Jundred is the original costumed 100 mile trail run party. Jalloween weekend, October 28-29, 2023 come join the party as Javelina turns 21! The race is held on a ~20 mile rolling single track trail course comprised mostly of the Pemberton Trail in beautiful McDowell Mountain Regional Park near Fountain Hills, Arizona. Join us for the [...]
Join Borderlands Restoration Network and the Arizona Trail Association for a nature hike on the Arizona Trail through conservation property near the town of Patagonia. The hike will be 1.3 miles out and back (total of 2.6 miles). Dogs who are friendly with other dogs and people are welcome to join. Dogs must be leashed and [...]
Course Summary Features winding trails throughout Usery Mountain Regional Park on the edge of the Goldfield Mountain Range. The start/finish will be at the Trail head Staging area. The 25 Km course will return to its typical loop this year which includes some super fun trails through Cholla Forests, on the Levee Trail with perfect views [...]
What started as an ‘ultra-experiment’ for young Nathan Coury’s college thesis on “fat oxidation” (fat-ox) and ultra running, becomes a 48 hour family fixed-time festival celebrating our season at Nardini Manor. Note we’ve moved venues to Estrella Mountain Regional Park. We beefed up the original Ox to bring you 6, 12, 24 or 48 hours [...]
Join us on a 4-day backcountry event in the beautiful Mazatzal Wilderness southwest of Payson. We will be brushing on segments 23b and 23c. Basic backpacking skills, equipment, and fitness are required for this self-supported trip. Food will not be provided. We will be camping near a water source. Please bring water treatment. Tools and [...]
Meet a docent from the Friends of the San Pedro River for a tour of this historic silver mill site. The docent will discuss the mining history of the area and lead the group on a three-mile round trip walk to the mill site. This walk follows a dirt and gravel trail that is uneven [...]
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. Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~4 miles Time: ~3 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 Arizona, which lies right next door to the Preserve along the Verde River. The [...]
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 how the flora and fauna survive and thrive. Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If [...]
Join docents from the Friends of the San Pedro River for a tour of the Murray Springs mammoth kill site. Vance Haynes led an expedition here in the 1970s that found the remains of megafauna that had been hunted, killed, butchered, and consumed by the Clovis Paleo-Indians 13,000 years ago. This is an easy walk [...]
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 how the flora and fauna survive and thrive. Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you [...]
Explore some of the remote trails with rolling hills in the northwest area of the Preserve. Experienced hikers suggested. Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~7.9 miles Time: ~3.5 hours
This hike will provide an overview of the geology of the area and a discussion about how geology – topography, rock type, soil, etc. – affects local ecology. Skill level: Easy Distance: ~1.7 miles Time: ~2 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you would like to request an accommodation [...]
Net downhill courses along the foothills of the Santa Catalina mountains run since 1969. The full Marathon, 50K & Marathon Relay start above the town of Oracle and run down to Catalina. The Half Marathon starts on Biosphere Road at the half way point of the Marathon and runs down to Catalina. Join us for beautiful winter [...]
The Desert Solstice Track Invitational is an elite level event for record setting and as an ideal qualifier for the national 24 Hour team. This event is by invitation or qualification only. For the 24 Hour/100 Mile, entry is limited to 25 runners total. Qualification Standards and Entry Fees Runners meeting one of the listed qualifying [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy to moderate hike to learn about desert vegetation and enjoy a view of the Lake from Yavapai Point. Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Nikki for a moderate hike to learn cacti, legume trees and desert shrubs and observe a variety of birds, lizards and mammals. [...]
Join Ranger Eric to look for and learn about the resident and migratory birds of the Sonoran Desert on this easy to moderate hike. Along the way, we will discuss basic bird identification, ecology of the Sonoran Desert, and how birds are adapted to this arid environment. We will meet at the Area 2 Bajada [...]
Join Ranger Nikki to learn about plants that grow along the upper park trails and those that grow along lower areas along the creek. The route uses Spur Cross, Tortuga and Dragonfly trails and a short portion of roadway to return to the parking lot for a total of 4 miles. The terrain ranges from [...]
Come hike the Scenic Trail with Ranger Shaun for a combination sunset-full moon hike. Scenic Trail is a 3.5-mile hike on a medium difficulty trail. Restrooms and water will be available at the trailhead. Sunscreen, plenty of water, and dressing in layers is recommended as the temperature may drop quickly after dark. Flashlights also encouraged. [...]
Across the Years is the original fixed-time multi-day running event celebrating the New Year! Runners select their event and cover as much distance as possible. Each runner is free to walk, stop, eat, sleep whenever they wish, but the clock is always running! Starting December 28, we celebrate the traditions of pedestrianism and fixed-time racing with a [...]
Explore the Sonoran Desert with Ranger Nikki and learn about some of the plants and animals that you can see along the trails at Usery, including a variety of birds, reptiles, mammals, trees, shrubs and cacti. This is a family-friendly slow-paced stroll along the barrier-free Merkle Trail that is a 1-mile loop. The terrain is [...]
Explore the Sonoran Desert with Ranger Nikki and learn about some of the plants and animals that you can see along the trails at Usery, including a variety of birds, reptiles, mammals, trees, shrubs and cacti. This is a family-friendly slow-paced stroll along the barrier-free Merkle Trail that is a 1-mile loop. The terrain is [...]
Looking for something to do with the kids over winter break? You found it! Join Ranger Kevin for this 1-mile hike on the Rainbow Valley, Baseline and Toothaker trails. Prior to the hike, we’ll talk about the Junior Ranger program, set every young person up with their own activity book, and then we’ll actually do [...]
Enjoy a stroll with a TRACKS member who will expound on additional opportunities to enjoy group hiking with knowledgeable people from around the White Mountains! Suggested donation of $10 for adults Kids and Members FREE
This is a one-way guided walk (almost 6 miles) with Ranger Nikki designed to help 100 Miles Challenge participants attain their “third park” requirement by traveling on a segment of the Maricopa Trail. This walk is also open to non-participants. You must make travel arrangements ahead of time to be dropped off/picked up or have a [...]
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