McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Winter HIKES, 2008

The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy offers free public guided hikes every Saturday and Sunday, October through May. Our hike leaders are trained volunteer Stewards who share their passion about the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and the hidden treasures of the McDowell Mountains and surrounding Sonoran Desert. All hikes in December, January and February begin at 8:30 a.m.

• Jan. 10: CATHEDRAL ROCKS— A 5.5-mile loop to a striking rock formation that appears to have been a Native Peoples’ gathering place and grain-processing site. Mild inclines only. About 3 hours. Meet at the end of Alma School Rd. north of Dynamite.
• Jan. 11: SUNRISE PEAK OVER & BACK— A demanding exercise hike featuring two ascents of Sunrise Peak. More than 9 miles roundtrip, with elevation gains totaling 2500 feet. For very hardy hikers. Bring lunch. Allow five hours. Meet at the 128th St. Trailhead. north of Via Linda.
• Jan. 17: WINDMILL FROM GATEWAY —A 12-mile round trip to an early settler’s windmill. Total elevation gain of about 1,950 feet with sustained uphill grades in each direction. For very hardy hikers. Allow about 6 hours. Bring lunch. Meet at the Gateway Access Area on the east side of Thompson Peak Pkwy between Bell Rd and Union Hills Blvd.
• Jan. 18: FIRE AND ICE ON SCENIC TRAIL IN MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK— See how the opposites of fire and frost have shaped the desert landscape on a short foothills hike in the McDowell Mountain Regional Park. About 2.5 hours. Meet at the Trailhead Staging Area in the park; take Fountain Hills Blvd. north from Shea Blvd about 7.5 miles and follow signs to the park. There is a $6 per vehicle admission charge to the park.
• Jan. 25: PHOTO WALK— Expert instruction will improve your desert photography skills on an easy walk in the Preserve. Mild inclines only. Bring your camera. Meet at the Gateway Access Area on the east side of Thompson Peak Pkwy between Bell Rd and Union Hills Blvd.
• Jan. 31: MEDICINAL PLANTS— Learn how Native Peoples used the healing and restorative properties of desert plants on this new hike in our Ethnobotany Series. Allow approximately 2.5 hours for the 3 mile loop hike on Ringtail Trail. Mild inclines onluy. Meet at the Lost Dog Wash Trailhead on 124th St, north of Via Linda.
• Feb. 1: WINDGATE – BELL LOOP— A rugged, 11-mile loop in the Gateway area of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve that offers excellent valley and interior-mountain views. About 2,000 feet of total elevation gain. For very hardy hikers. Allow about 6 hours. Bring lunch. Meet at the Gateway Access Area on the east side of Thompson Peak Pkwy between Bell Rd and Union Hills Blvd.
• Feb. 7: BALANCED ROCK— A 4-mile roundtrip hike to a striking rock formation. Mild inclines only. About 3 hours including carpooling. Meet at the end of Alma School Rd. north of Dynamite.
• Feb. 8: GEOLOGY ON GATEWAY LOOP TRAIL—Learn how the McDowells and surrounding mountains were formed on a 6-mile hike with about a 700-foot elevation gain. Climbing is on gradual grades. About 3 ½ hours. Meet at the Gateway Access Area on the east side of Thompson Peak Pkwy between Bell Rd and Union Hills Blvd.
• Feb. 14: IRONWOOD WASH—A 7-mile roundtrip hike with a 650-foot elevation gain enters a deep wash lined with large ironwood trees and continues on into a beautiful canyon deep in the McDowell Mountains. Long but gradual grades only. About 4 hours. Meet at the parking area on 104th St. just south of McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd.
• Feb. 15: BIG SAGUARO LOOP—A 5-mile hike that passes an approximately 30-armed desert giant. Mild inclines except for a few steep and slippery places. About 4 hours including carpooling. Meet at the end of Alma School Rd. north of Dynamite.
• Feb. 21: SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS ON CACTUS TRAIL—A 3-mile loop hike on one of our prettiest short trails goes past some of the best specimens of saguaro cactus anywhere. Mostly gradual grades but a few steep spots. About 2 ½ hours including carpooling. Meet at the end of Alma School Rd. north of Dynamite.
• Feb. 22: BIRDING WALK—Join birding experts to watch and identify birds in a walk on the Ringtail Loop. Mild inclines only. About 2 hours. Meet at the end of 128th St. north of Via Linda.

About McDowell Sonoran Conservancy
Since its founding in 1990, the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy has championed the need for, establishment of, and safe public access to Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The Conservancy works with the City of Scottsdale to: ensure completion, management and public appreciation of the Preserve; educate residents and visitors about the Preserve’s environmental and archaeological significance; ensure the public has appropriate access to the land they have repeatedly voted to protect.