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 [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the animals, plants, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. We will hike 4.5 miles roundtrip on a loop including portions of Pemberton, Stoneman Wash, and Granite Trails. Most trails are moderate grade with rocky or uneven ground, but the portion in Stoneman Wash is more [...]
This introduction to the Sonoran Desert is perfect for residents and visitors alike. Join Ranger Kevin for a 3.5-mile hike on the Overton and Go John trails. Trails are rated moderate, so expect stretches of loose rock, uneven terrain and elevation change. We’ll be talking about what makes our desert quite possibly the most biodiverse [...]
This is a great program for residents and visitors alike! Join Ranger Kevin for a roughly 1.8-mile round-trip hike to the Clay Mine, site of a fortune made not of gold, but of snake oil. Program features a tour of the mine itself. Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring water. Hats and sunscreen are [...]
Learn some unique history of Willow Springs on this moderate, 7.5-mile round trip hike. Hike will start at area 7 at 8:00 am. We will head up the Mesquite Canyon trail and then on to the Willow Springs via the Willow Canyon Trail. Bring plenty of water and a lunch if you would like. Please leave your [...]
Are you looking to do a difficult, challenging hike, but don’t want to go by yourself? Join Ranger Kevin for a 6.5-mile hike on the extremely difficult, but incredibly scenic, Spur Cross, Tortuga, and Elephant Mountain trails. We’ll keep an eye out for morning critters as we go. If you’re doing the 100 in 100 [...]
Join Ranger Eric on a 1.8-mile one-way hike up the Yavapai Point Trail where we will be able to take in stunning views of the Sonoran Desert and Lake Pleasant, as well as talk about the local flora and fauna. The hike is rated as moderate, with some rocky and uneven surfaces. Please dress in [...]
Come along with Ranger Shaun for an introduction to the Sonoran Desert’s unique ecosystem. We’ll talk about some of our native plants and animals, as well as some exotics and invasives, and how they’ve adapted to live (or invade) in the desert. This is an approximately 2.1-mile hike on moderate-difficult trails. Please bring plenty of [...]
Ranger Nikki will lead you on a moderate terrain hike to learn about common desert plants such as cacti, legume trees and shrubs and search for signs of seasonal wildflower growth. The route uses Slate, a portion of Flume, Quartz and Go John Trails for approximately 4.5 miles total. The terrain varies from even surfaces [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the animals, plants, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. Early wildflowers may be out, depending on how much precipitation we get this winter. We will hike a 6.7-mile loop of the Quail, Rainbow Valley, Dysart, and Toothaker trails. The trails are moderate difficulty with occasional [...]
Enjoy the Preserve trails to learn about the unique plants and animals of this lush desert riparian ecosystem, and cultural history of the Hassayampa River! We will walk on mostly flat, but occasionally uneven or sandy trails for 1-2 miles total, as we check out Palm Lake and one of the trails along the river. [...]
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 [...]
Come along and hike Pipeline Canyon North to check the water level and see how many more weeks of winter we have left! Ranger Shaun’s going to be talking about the local ecosystem and seeing what’s moving around in the early February weather. Pipeline Canyon North is a roughly 2-mile round trip on a moderate [...]
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