The Desert looks different in the dark. Come along with Ranger Shaun and see how much. Click program title for more details. Ranger Shaun is returning to this morning’s trail for another hike. Come join him, or even better RE-join him! See how different the desert can be in the dark as we look along [...]
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 [...]
The Desert looks different in the dark. Come along with Ranger Shaun and see how much. Click program title for more details. Ranger Shaun is returning to this morning’s trail for another hike. Come join him, or even better RE-join him! See how different the desert can be in the dark as we look along [...]
The Desert looks different in the dark. Come along with Ranger Shaun and see how much. Click program title for more details. Ranger Shaun is returning to this morning’s trail for another hike. Come join him, or even better RE-join him! See how different the desert can be in the dark as we look along [...]
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 [...]
Join Ranger Steve for an exciting ~2.5-mile easy night hike on the Spur Cross and Metate Trails to look for nocturnal Sonoran Desert wildlife! Species seen on previous hikes include snakes, lizards, packrats, coyotes, bobcats, owls, spiders, and more! Please wear sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots. Make sure to bring plenty of water, as summer [...]
On this hike you will get to see a variety of cactus species and learn about their many adaptations to survive in the harsh Sonoran Desert climate. We will hike the 3.3-mile Tortuga Trail starting from the covered picnic table just past the contact station. The trail is rocky, steep and uneven in many places [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an approximately 3-mile hike on the Spur Cross, Metate, and Fairy Duster trails. We will be talking about the importance of native plants in restoring desert habitat that has been degraded due to things like wildfire, human use and overgrazing. We may even get the opportunity to observe as “seed bombs” [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
The hike will follow the 2-mile Dragonfly Trail in the Jewel of the Creek Preserve. The trail is rated as easy but does have a few small hill climbs so make sure to wear shoes with good ankle support or bring trekking poles if you need a little help. The trails feature large cottonwood trees, [...]
Join Ranger Steve for a roughly 2.5 mile sunset/twilight hike on the easy terrain of the Spur Cross and Metate Trails. 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 [...]
Join Ranger Steve for an exciting after-dark 2.5 mile hike along the Spur Cross and Metate Trails. 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-moderate with some rocky, uneven surfaces and some elevation change. Please [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy walk to see a variety of cacti along the trails and riparian plants near the creek. The route will be about 2 miles and use portions of Spur Cross and Metate Trails along with Fairy Duster and Towhee Trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. [...]
Join Ranger Evan for an exciting evening hike along the Spur Cross and Metate Trails. 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-moderate with some rocky, uneven surfaces and some elevation change. Please bring water [...]
The hike will wind through rolling hills, sandy washes and desert canyons while offering spectacular views of the Tonto National Forest. During the hike we will learn about the many cacti species that call the park home and how they have adapted to life in the Sonoran Desert. Spur Cross has few amenities and no [...]
The hike will follow the 2-mile Dragonfly Trail in the Jewel of the Creek Preserve. The trail is rated as easy but does have a few small hill climbs so make sure to wear shoes with good ankle support or bring trekking poles if you need a little help. The trails feature large cottonwood trees, [...]
Come meet Ranger Kevin from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. The theme is Sonoran Desert Artifacts, so bring your curiosity and your questions! A table full of interesting objects will be on hand for you to inspect. MEETING LOCATION: Covered Picnic Tables in front of the trailer at the trail kiosks. No registration required, just [...]
Come join Ranger Kevin as we hike approximately 2.6 miles along the Spur Cross, Metate and Fairy Duster Loop Trails. Trails are rated easy, with a few sections of loose, rocky terrain and some elevation change. We'll be stopping to look at various plants and animals and talk about Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. Be [...]
Join Ranger Steve for an evening trail walk to look for and learn about the nocturnal critters of the Sonoran Desert! Wildlife seen on past walks have included snakes, bats, ringtails, foxes, skunks, javelinas, deer, owls, scorpions, insects, and other cool creepy crawlies! Please bring your own flashlights and blacklights if you have them. Please [...]
Join Ranger Steve for an evening trail walk to look for and learn about the nocturnal critters of the Sonoran Desert! Wildlife seen on past walks have included snakes, bats, ringtails, foxes, skunks, javelinas, deer, owls, scorpions, insects, and other cool creepy crawlies! Please bring your own flashlights and blacklights if you have them. Please [...]
Join docent Coni for a 2-3 mile hike through the conservation area. We will hike in riparian areas with seasonal water in Cave Creek. Learn about cochineal, agave, mesquite, prickly pear, and we may see wildlife, petroglyphs, wildflowers, and maybe taste some wolfberries….and yes – all with wonderful views! Wear sturdy shoes and hat and bring [...]
What makes a cactus a cactus? How can plants survive scorching temperatures? Can you eat Cactus? Get the answers to these questions on Ranger Evan’s Crazy for Cacti walk. We will be hiking approximately 3 miles, with some significant elevation changes. Please bring plenty of water and wear closed-toe shoes, no pets please. Restrooms will [...]
Join docent Coni for a 2-3 mile hike through the conservation area. We will hike in riparian areas with seasonal water in Cave Creek. Learn about cochineal, agave, mesquite, prickly pear, and we may see wildlife, petroglyphs, wildflowers, and maybe taste some wolfberries….and yes – all with wonderful views! Wear sturdy shoes and hat and bring [...]
Maricopa County Parks-Desert Defenders-Native Seed Harvest Maricopa County Parks is hosting several native seed harvest events in April and May at several of our parks. The native seed harvested will be planted in habitat enhancement projects, invasive species removal areas, and parks impacted by wildfires. Collecting and planting local seed genotypes will help maintain the [...]
The hike will follow sections of the Spur Cross and Metate Trails for 3 miles as the path moves from desert landscape down into riparian habitat. Hikers will be rewarded with impressive Saguaro Cacti and a variety of cholla species. The trail is rated as easy, but it can be sandy and rocky at times [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike along the Dragonfly Trail at Spur Cross and adjacent Jewel of the Creek Preserve to look for reptiles of the Sonoran Desert and riparian habitats. Along the way, we will discuss identification tips, as well as their ecological roles and safety around venomous animals. We will hike about [...]
Learn about birds of Sonoran Desert riparian areas during this guided hike with Ranger Eric. Click on program title for more details. 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 [...]
Join Ranger Evan on this joyous loop hike through the Sonoran Desert! Click on program title for more details. Join Ranger Evan on this fantastic 3-4-mile hike through the Sonoran Desert looking at wildflowers! Though we may only do a little frolicking ourselves; we hope to see some Sonoran Desert fauna frolicking their way into [...]
Invasive species are one of the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences, and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on mapping, and removing invasive species within the parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park's natural ecosystems and contributed [...]
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