The Insomniac Night Trail Run Series consists of six night runs throughout the Maricopa County Regional Parks from April through September. It's our way of escaping the summer heat while continuing to race and experience both familiar and unfamiliar trails in a different light. Distances range from 5 kilometers to 75 kilometers. Save 20-25% on registration when [...]
Bird Programs with Joe Ford in the Estrella Park Nature Center following the Bird Hikes. Program will start approximately 8:45 AM after the Bird Hike. Bird Program talk and Power Point Presentation with Joe Ford in the Estrella Park Nature Center following the Bird Hikes. Topics cover bird images, habits, maps, details and bird life. Program [...]
The Bowhunter Happening is a family friendly non-competitive 3D archery shoot held annually at Mormon Lake, AZ on the third weekend of each July. The BHH has held this yearly event since the early 1970’s. Our event draws archers from all over Arizona and the Southwest. Six different 3D courses are set up on the ridge [...]
Our vision is to promote traditional archery, its heritage, and values in Arizona. We want to honor the vision set forth by some of the early traditional archery pioneers: Glenn St. Charles, Fred Bear, Aldo Leopold, Saxton Pope, and William "Chief" Compton. Our hope is to create a community of traditional archers who follow and [...]
Please join SDMB July 14-16th, 2023 at Upper Arcadia Group Campground (6700ft) for a weekend of Trail Work, Bike Riding, Hiking and Camping. Our focus will most likely be working on middle to to upper Ladybug brushing, opening up corners and re-benching tread. If you like rock work there will be opportunities, but it will [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an approximately 2-mile hike on the Rock Peak Wash Trail. The hike will be on the easy, but sandy, terrain of a desert wash. We will be on the lookout for a variety of Sonoran Desert wildlife, from birds to reptiles to mammals. Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and bring plenty [...]
Learn all about our ssssuper sssspecial friendsssss at the World Snake Day Discovery Station. Bring your questions and your curiosity. Come chat with Ranger Kevin about our native Sonoran Desert snakes while exploring a range of snake artifacts. Find out what a rattlesnake's rattle is made of and how it works. Best of all, meet some of our amazing Animal Ambassadors! Come [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an approximately 2.7-mile hike on the Pass Mountain, Cat Peaks, Meridian and Blevins Trails. Trails are rated moderate, with some elevation change as well as stretches of loose rock and/or uneven terrain. We will be on the lookout for a variety of Sonoran Desert wildlife, from birds to reptiles to mammals. [...]
Your students will get to touch live snakes, learn about the differences between poisonous and venomous, see snake skins/sheds, learn to identify snakes and ask questions. A table will also be set up with other natural history samples collected from around the Maricopa County Park system. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center Limit 25 participants. To register, [...]
The discovery theme is Sonoran Desert Artifacts, so bring your curiosity and your questions for Ranger Kevin to answer! A table full of interesting objects will be on hand for you to inspect. Come into the Nature Center anytime between 11:00am to 12:30pm. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center classroom No registration required. Just stop by anytime [...]
About the Event Doors open at 5 p.m. for dinner and vendors, and presentations start at 6 p.m. There will be raffles and auctions. Seating is limited. Food donation for raffle. Location: TBD (Ben Avery used as placeholder) Hosted by: Christian Hunters of America Info: David, (602) 309-3430, davidmyrick@christianhuntersofamerica.org
Have you ever wanted to try hunting, or harvest your own food? The Outdoor Skills Network is your one-stop resource for events offered by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and a network of partners who conduct hands-on events to teach you the basics about hunting, fishing, trapping, safety, wildlife, and other outdoor skills. Doors [...]
Night Shredders Shred the day away. Cooler nights on the trails will remind you how good it is to shed your schedules and responsibilities. You'll spend an evening with less conversation and more grinning with your friends. First time joining us? WELCOME! No rider is left behind. Riders must have some trail experience. Moderate fitness. [...]
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: We [...]
A discovery station will be set up in the critter room of the Nature Center. There will be guidebooks and a variety of natural and cultural artifacts found in the Maricopa County Park system. A ranger will be available to answer your burning desert questions. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center No registration required. Just stop by [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on a 2-mile easy to moderate hike to learn about our fascinating Sonoran Desert and how plants and animals survive, particularly during the summer. The route is an out-and-back on Tortoise and Hilltop Trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. Restrooms and water are available at the Nature [...]
Learn about desert mammals with Ranger Nikki during this informal drop-in session. See pelts and skulls that hint at adaptations that allow these animals to survive and thrive in our extreme desert environment. Stop by any time between 9:30 and 10:30am. Be sure to bring your water with you. Restrooms and water are available at [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an easy 2-mile night hike on the Palm Lake, Willow Walkway, Mesquite Meander and River Ramble trails. We will be looking for all three species of scorpion native to our neck of the Sonoran Desert: Striped-tail, Bark, and, of course, the Giant Desert Hairy. Who knows what else we may see? [...]
Join Ranger Steve for a roughly 2-mile sunset/twilight hike on the easy terrain of the Roadrunner Trail. We’ll be searching for nocturnal Sonoran Desert wildlife such as snakes, scorpions, spiders, and more! Please wear hard-soled shoes or boots, bring plenty of water, and don’t forget a flashlight or UV light if you have one! Trails [...]
Join Ranger Eric to look for and learn about the nocturnal animals on this guided hike. Wildlife we may see includes scorpions, spiders, insects, owls, nightjars, reptiles, and mammals! We will hike 1-2 miles roundtrip depending on heat and participant interest on the Slate and Flume Trails. The hike will be on easy, but occasionally [...]
Have you ever wanted to explore the desert at night? The waterfall trail is a paved for most of the distance and offers great views of the White Tank Mountains, as well as amazing plants and animals. While we will not be able to see the waterfall (which rarely runs this time of year), we [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy 2-mile hike to learn about and look for flowers and fruit of various cacti including saguaros, barrels, prickly pears, cholla and hedgehogs. The route follows the easy terrain of Horseshoe and Gila Trails. Bring plenty of water and wear closed toe shoes, a hat and sunscreen. Restrooms and water are [...]
Join Ranger Eric for an easy-paced, guided walk along the Preserve trails to learn about the plants, animals, ecology, and history of the Hassayampa River Preserve. Please wear sun protection and carry ample water. Binoculars are available to borrow at the Visitor Center. We will hike about 1 mile on mostly flat, but occasionally sandy [...]
Join Ranger Nikki for a talk about the many types of snakes that inhabit our Valley region of the Sonoran Desert. From the ubiquitous Western Diamondback Rattlesnake to constrictors such as the gopher snake, coachwhip, Western Patch-nosed and more, become familiar with the characteristics, habitats and behaviors to help you understand their important place in [...]
Join Ranger Steve for a Friday “lunch and learn” presentation in the Nature Center classroom. This week’s topic will be the North American Monsoon. What is it? What causes it? What impact does it have on the Sonoran Desert? Find these answers and more! MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center classroom Limit 15 participants. To register, please [...]
Join us for Stunner Night Runs at the beautiful Usery Mountain Regional Park. This flat and fast course utilizes the Chain Fruit, Lost Sheep, Channel, and Blevins Trails. Wind through Chain Fruit cholla at the base of Pass Mountain. This race is part of the 2023 Insomniac Night Trail Run Series with events all across the state [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike along the Dragonfly Trail at Spur Cross and adjacent Jewel of the Creek Preserve to look for birds of the Sonoran Desert and riparian habitats. Along the way, we will discuss identification tips by sight and sound for birds, as well as their ecological roles. We will hike [...]
Learn about the adaptations and life cycles of plants and animals of our Sonoran Desert on an easy/moderate hike with Ranger Nikki. The approximate 2-mile is an out-and-back hike on Mule Deer Trail. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Restrooms and water are available at the Nature Center. Meeting [...]
Come walk among some of the White Mountain’s most beautiful wildflowers in a forest setting and around a beautiful spring. Each month’s hike promises new surprises! Suggested donation of $10 for adults Kids and Members FREE
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike along the aptly-named Dragonfly Trail at Spur Cross and adjacent Jewel of the Creek Preserve to look for dragonflies and damselflies of Sonoran Desert riparian habitats. Along the way, we will discuss identification tips of dragonflies and damselflies, and talk about their ecological roles. At least 50 species [...]
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