| Competitive Track Closed - Estrella |
| Estrella Mountain Park |
| Trails at the Estrella Mountain Regional Park Competitive Track will be closed for biking and hiking during preparation and running of the Freshfit 500 and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Phoenix International Raceway. Trails will reopen on March 10, 2012. Nascar events begin March 2 and conclude March 4 |
| Date: 2/26/2012 |
| Time: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Duration: all day |
| Registration Required: No |
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| More Info: http://www.phoenixraceway.com/Raceday/2012-March-Fan-Schedule.aspx |
| Contact: 623 932-3811 |
| Location: Competitive Track - Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
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Address: Avenida Estrella Avondale, AZ |
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| Sonoran (Snorin') Sunrise Hike-Estrella |
| Estrella Mountain Park |
| Join us on a fun, relaxing hike in our beautiful desert. The 2.5 mile Baseline loop trail has it all-slight elevation for health, great views to enjoy, historical small mines and a special green bioregion. This is one of our favorite trails lead by Sandy Kehs, supervolunteer. Meet at the Gila/Baseline Trailhead south of the picnic area. |
| Date: 2/26/2012 |
| Time: 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM Duration: 1.5 hours |
| Speaker: Sandy Kehs |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entrance fee |
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| More Info: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/estrella |
| Contact: Mark Paulat 623/932-3811 |
| Location: Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
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Address: 14805 W. Vineyard Avenue Goodyear, AZ 85338 |
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| Bird Walk With Sonoran Audubon-Estrella |
| Estrella Mountain Park |
| This is one of the best places to see birds in the Phoenix area. It's fun to become a bird brain as you increase your knowledge of our feathered friends with the folks at Sonoran Audubon. You can easily see roadrunners and ospreys, so get down here for the fantastic bird life at Estrella Park! Between the river habitat and the mesquite Bosque on the turf area, it's possible to see well over 150 different species. When you think about it, everyone is a birdwatcher-you can do it wherever or whoever you are-but it's more fun if you know what they are. Meet at east side of turf in dirt parking lot. Bring your own binoculars and books if you have them, a limited number will be available if you don't. This hike will be every fourth Sunday ending in April. RAIN CANCELS. |
| Date: 2/26/2012 |
| Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Duration: 2 hours |
| Speaker: www.sonoranaudubon.org 623/939-6181 |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entrance fee |
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| More Info: http://maricopa.gov/parks/estrella |
| Contact: Ranger Mark 623/932-3811 |
| Location: Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
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Address: 14805 W. Vineyard Avenue Goodyear, AZ 85338 |
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| Dixie Mine Hidden Petroglyph Hike - McDowell |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| Dixie Mine Hidden Petroglyph Hike - The Dixie Mine area is one of the best kept secrets in the Park. This 5.8 mi roundtrip hike has some steep slopes, but the reward is well worth it. Bring extra water and meet at the Golden Eagle trailhead in Fountain Hills. |
| Date: 2/26/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Duration: 3.5 hrs |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $2.00 per person park entry (walk-in fee). |
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| Contact: Amy Ford, Interpretive Ranger 480-471-0173 |
| Location: Dixie Mine Trailhead |
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Address: Northern end of Golden Eagle Blvd. at end of road Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 |
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| Find the Ranger - Wind Cave Trail - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| This open-house style program features our ranger hiking along the Wind Cave Trail and stopping to talk to park visitors. Our ranger will show off his “Backpack of Knowledge” and be available to answer questions about the park, discuss park history, identify desert plants, or even explain which animals call Usery Park "home". Carry ample water. |
| Date: 2/26/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Hohokam Houses - the Ruins of Spur Cross |
| Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area |
| February 26 Sunday 9:00 am Ruins of Spur Cross
(moderate) Join us for this 2.5 mile hike that will introduce you to the rich archaeological history of the area. See evidence of prehistoric Hohokam dwellings and learn about their culture as we trek on up to one of their mesa-top compounds. |
| Date: 2/26/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Duration: 2 hours |
| Speaker: Kevin Smith, Interpretive 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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| Spring into Wildflowers - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Spring is upon us and so are the wildflowers! Come and see what’s blooming in Cave Creek. This 1.5 hour stroll along the 1.5 mile Slate/Jasper/Go John loop trail will showcase the wildflowers found in the park and explore the beauty of the area. Bring plenty of water and sturdy closed toed shoes. Meet at the Slate Trailhead. |
| Date: 2/26/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Duration: 2 hours |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: Ranger Sarah sarahsteele@mail.maricopa.gov |
| Location: Meet at the Slate Trailhead |
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Address: 37019 N. Lava Lane85331 |
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| Sonoran Desert 101 - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Join us for this 1-hour introduction to some of the fascinating plants and animals of our Sonoran Desert. You will enjoy this informative quarter-mile stroll along our scenic Desert Hawk Trail! Please bring water. Location: Nature Center. |
| Date: 2/26/2012 |
| Time: 1:30 PM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Wildflower Photography Basics for Newbies – McDowell Park |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| Wildflower Photography Basics for Newbies Get your lenses ready for a terrific wildflower season! It is a little early for most wildflower blooms, but we will seek out the earliest hints of color where we can, and learn the basics of composition and style. Get some practice in using that shiny new camera you got for Christmas to take spectacular pictures of the desert in bloom over the next month or two. Bring your camera and plenty of water. Meet at the North Trail Trailhead. |
| Date: 2/26/2012 |
| Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Duration: 1 hours |
| Speaker: Ranger Amy Ford |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: amyford@mail.maricopa.gov 480-471-0173x201 |
| Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
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Address: 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 |
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| Full Moon Hike- San Tan |
| San Tan Mountain Regional Park |
| Discover the beauty of the Sonoran Desert at night, as we hike under the light from the full moon. Join us for a pristine 2.2-mile stroll along the Stargazer Trail. Listen for the sounds of wildlife and explore the night-life atmosphere. The pace of the hike will be relatively mild or slow to help enjoy the surroundings. Flashlights are welcomed. |
| Date: 2/26/2012 |
| Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Duration: 1.5 hours |
| Speaker: Ranger Adam |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 vehicle park entry fee |
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| More Info: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/santan/ |
| Contact: (480) 655-5554 |
| Location: San Tan Mountain Regional Park - Visitor Center |
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Address: 6533 W. Phillips Rd. Queen Creek, AZ 85142 |
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