• Every Saturday and Sunday in October, 8 a.m.
• Free – no registration required

Join MSC Stewards as they guide you along the trails of the Preserve. You won’t regret getting to know your Preserve better. The spectacular views, wildlife and plants are brought to life by the trained volunteers who care for this, Scottsdale’s greatest natural resource. Details for all the hikes can be found on the website. No reservations are required.

Key to Meeting Places

Meeting Place #1:
The end of Alma School Rd. north of Dynamite Blvd.
Meeting Place #2:
The end of 128th St. north of Via Linda
Meeting Place #3:
Lost Dog Trailhead lot at 124thSt. north of Via Linda
Meeting Place #4:
The lot at 104th St. just south of McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd.
Meeting Place #5:
Trailhead staging lot in the park off Fountain Hills Blvd. $5 per car entrance fee

Sat., Oct. 6, 8 a.m.:
Ringtail Loop
A 2.5-mile trip past fine specimens of Sonoran Desert plants. Mild inclines only. A “Hike Right” talk offering desert-hiking tips will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the amphitheater. Allow about 2 hours for the hike. Meet at #3

Sun., Oct. 7, 8 a.m.:
Balanced Rock
A 4.2-mile round trip to a striking rock formation. See a juniper tree, a relic of an earlier era. Mild inclines only. About 3 hours including carpooling. Meet at #1

Sat., Oct. 13, 8 a.m.:
Brown’s Ranch
Learn about ranching in our area during a 4-mile hike through the former working ranch. Visit the corral area and the foundation of the old ranch house. See how cattle grazing affects the land long after the cattle are gone. Mild inclines only. About 2 1/2 hours. Meet at #1

Sun., Oct. 14, 8 a.m.:
Dixie Mine
Learn about mining in the McDowells on a scenic, 5.5-mile hike to a former working mine. Little elevation gain but lots of ups and downs. About 4 hours including carpooling. Meet at #3

Sat., Oct. 20, 8 a.m.:
Ethnobotany Hike
Learn how Natives Peoples used desert plants for their food, shelter, rituals and medicine in a 3.2-mile loop hike on the scenic Cactus Trail. A few steep places but mild inclines otherwise. About 3 hours including carpooling. Meet at #1

Sun. Oct. 21, 8 a.m.:
Gateway Loop
Our first public hike in the new Gateway Area covers 5.5 miles with an elevation gain of about 700 feet. A few steep places. About 3 1/2 hours. Meet at #4

Sat., Oct. 27, 8 a.m.:
Big Saguaro Loop
A 5-mile hike in the state trust land visits a 30-armed desert giant. Good photo ops. Mild inclines only. About 3 1/2 hours including carpooling. Meat at #1

Sun., Oct. 28, 8 a.m.:
Micro-Desert on the Lost Dog Trail
See little-noticed plants and animals that have a powerful effect on the desert environment during a 4-mile hike. Mild inclines only. About 2 1/2 hours. Meet at #3