| Competitive Track will be CLOSED |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| A competitive event on the Competitive Track will require that it be CLOSED to the public on Saturday, December 8th. This one day event will not influence riding on Sunday, December 9th. |
| Date: 12/8/2012 |
| Time: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Duration: All Day |
| Registration Required: Yes |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle to entry the County Regional Park |
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| Contact: Rand Hubbell, Park Supervisor |
| Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
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Address: 16,300 N. McDowell Mountain Park Drive Fountain Hills, AZ, AZ 85258 |
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| Progressive Fitness Hike #6 - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Today is the day you have been training for! This is the grand finale hike of our 6-week hike series – the culmination of five previous hikes that have prepared us for this 7.5 mile loop around Pass Mountain. Please bring ample water, snacks, hats, and closed-toe shoes. Location: Trail Staging Area. Note: Participation in the 4th or 5th hike in this series was required to do this final hike. |
| Date: 12/8/2012 |
| Time: 8:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| "Scene It" at San Tan - Crested Saguaro Hike |
| San Tan Mountain Regional Park |
| San Tan Mountain Regional Park showcases some of the most beautiful scenery in the area. After this hike, you can tell everyone that you’ve “Scene it” at San Tan! On this exploration we will seek out our showcase “crested saguaro” on this moderate 5-mile hike. Please come prepared to hike! Wear appropriate hiking boots; bring water, snacks, and your camera! |
| Date: 12/8/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM - 11:30 PM Duration: 2.5 hours |
| Speaker: Ranger Adam |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 vehicle park entry fee |
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| More Info: http://maricopa.gov/parks/santan |
| Contact: (480) 655-5554 ext.201 |
| Location: San Tan Mountain Regional Park |
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Address: 6533 W. Phillips Road Queen Creek, AZ 85142 |
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| Eagle Watch Long Paddle of the Agua Fria - Lake Pleasant |
| Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
| We will be paddling back in the Agua Fria arm watching bald eagles and other wildlife. This paddle is for those who are very hardy, the distance is around 15 miles total. You must have your own paddle craft, there are no rentals at the 4-lane area. You must wear your life vest when on the water! Bring plenty of water and food. Dress for the temperature and also take extra dry clothes in your dry bag. Bring a flashlight just in case you need it to finish or pack your car at the end. The paddle route may be changed if wind conditions are not ideal for safe passage. Bring cameras and binoculars for capturing the wildlife. This may be the last chance to see the eagles in the Agua Fria this year, as they close this area on December 15th. |
| Date: 12/8/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Duration: 8 hours |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle and $2 per paddlecraft park entry fee |
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| Contact: Terry Gerber, Interpretive Ranger 602-372-7460 ext. 202 |
| Location: Lake Pleasant Regional Park - North end of Lake Pleasant, near 4-lane launch area |
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Address: Take Hwy 74 to Castle Hot Springs Rd., go 5 miles and turn right into the park to the 4-lane ramp. Peoria, AZ |
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| Exploring the Dragonfly Trail - Spur Cross |
| Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area |
| December 8 Saturday 9:00 am Exploring the Dragonfly Trail
(moderate) Come along with park ranger Kevin Smith on this exploration of the newest trail in the Spur Cross trail system, the Dragonfly Trail. On this moderate 3.5 mile hike we will visit a prehistoric rock art site and also stroll along a beautiful section of riparian habitat on Cave Creek. |
| Date: 12/8/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM Duration: 3 hours |
| Speaker: Kevin Smith, park ranger |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $3 per person |
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| Contact: Kevin Smith, Park ranger at 480-488-6623 or e-mail kevinsmith@mail.maricopa.gov |
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| Archery 202 - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| For those who completed our “Archery 101” class, this class will take you to the next level! Participants will learn about field target archery, discover how to improve their accuracy, and enjoy some friendly competition. Equipment will be provided. Participants must be graduates of our “Archery 101” class. This class is open to ages 8 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Advanced registration is required. Please call the park at 480-984-0032 to register. Limited to 20 participants. Please bring water, hats, and closed-toe shoes. Meet at the Archery Range. |
| Date: 12/8/2012 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Registration Required: Yes |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Overton Trail Hike - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| SATURDAY – Ranger Mark will lead you on this hike which offers spectacular scenic vistas from the upper Sonoran Desert to the valleys below! This moderate 3.5 mile hike will leave from the Nature Center. Bring a hat, sturdy shoes, and plenty of water! |
| Date: 12/8/2012 |
| Time: 10:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: Ranger Mark - markpaulat@mail.maricopa.gov |
| Location: Meet at the Nature Center |
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Address: 37900 N. Cave Creek Parkway Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
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| Natural History Talk - Lake Pleasant |
| Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
| Come join naturalist Frank Meyerholtz at the Visitor Center either at 11AM or 1PM for some insight into the Sonoran Desert. Frank will talk about a variety of natural history subjects. |
| Date: 12/8/2012 |
| Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| Speaker: Naturalist Frank Meyerholtz |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: Terry Gerber, Interpretive Ranger 602-372-7460 ext. 202 |
| Location: Lake Pleasant Regional Park Visitor Center 623-780-9857 |
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Address: Take Hwy 74 to Castle Hot Springs Rd.(MP 19), turn right into park, follow signs to visitor center. Peoria, AZ |
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| Reptile and Live Animal Feeding at McDowell- McDowell Park |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| Have you ever seen a snake eat? Bring your questions for Ranger Amy to our toasty Visitor Center to watch our exhibit animals being fed. Meet our baby tortoises, desert blonde tarantula and giant desert hairy scorpion. Feeding takes place at the Visitor Center. |
| Date: 12/8/2012 |
| Time: 11:00 AM Duration: 1 hour |
| Speaker: Ranger Amy Burnett |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: amyburnett@mail.maricopa.gov 480-471-0173x201 |
| Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
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Address: 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr. Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 |
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| Natural History of Lake Pleasant - Lake Pleasant |
| Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
| Come join naturalist Frank Meyerholtz at the Visitor Center either at 11AM or 1PM for some insight into the Sonoran Desert. Frank will talk about a variety of natural history subjects. |
| Date: 12/8/2012 |
| Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| Speaker: Naturalist Frank Meyerholtz |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: Terry Gerber, Interpretive Ranger 602-372-7460 ext. 202 |
| Location: Lake Pleasant Regional Park Visitor Center 623-780-9857 |
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Address: Take Hwy 74 to Castle Hot Springs Rd.(MP 19), turn right into park, follow signs to visitor center. Peoria, AZ |
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| Venomous Creatures - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Join us for a presentation about the venomous creatures you may find around the Valley! Enjoy the beauty of these wonderful and misunderstood animals while learning about fascinating facts and the important roles each creature plays in the desert ecosystem. As Marie Curie, French Physicist and two-time Nobel Prize recipient said “Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” Meet at Nature Center. |
| Date: 12/8/2012 |
| Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| Speaker: Ranger Mark |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: Ranger Mark - markpaulat@mail.maricopa.gov |
| Location: Meet at the Nature Center |
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Address: 37900 N. Cave Creek Parkway Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
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| Venomous Creatures and Other Things at Estrella Mountain Park |
| Estrella Mountain Park |
| Come to the Estrella Nature Center for a talk about cold blooded creatures that inhabit our desert. This is not a hiking event but you are welcome to hike any one of our many trails after the talk. On display will be some venomous creatures and a few other creepy crawlies of the desert. |
| Date: 12/8/2012 |
| Time: 2:00 PM |
| Speaker: Ranger Doc |
| Registration Required: No |
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| Location: Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
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Address: 14805 West Vineyard Avenue Goodyear, AZ 85338 |
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| "Stargazing for Everyone" at McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| Don’t settle for just wondering what’s above your head on a starry night, come out and LEARN about it! Tony and Carole La Conte are returning for another Stargazing event! After a fun introduction to astronomy, their amazing volunteers will fix their telescopes upon far away galaxies and nebulas that you will see for yourself! Stargazing is a fun and amazing way to start your weekend! We have special equipment for wheelchair access viewing. Please call and identify any special needs prior to attending one of our public programs. Bring lawnchairs and blankets to keep warm. Meet at Trailhead Staging Area. |
| Date: 12/8/2012 |
| Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Duration: 2 hours |
| Speaker: Tony and Carol La Conte |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Contact: Amy Burnett, Park Ranger at 480-471-0173 x201 or e-mail amyford@mail.maricopa.gov |
| Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
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Address: 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85255 |
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