| Trailhead Closed on Saturday morning 3-2-2013 |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| Saturday, March 2, 2013 the Trailhead Staging Area will be very congested due to parking for a charity hike event. Mountain bikers riding the Pemberton are urged to stage at the Wagner Trailhead until afternoon. |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM Duration: 6 hrs |
| Registration Required: No |
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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 85268 |
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| Horses, Gold and Critters Oh My!- Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Get your boots on and come on out to Cave Creek Trailrides! Get a hands on “Old West” experience within our 3 Exploration Stations, where you will gain knowledge and connect as a group! Station 1 provides a great introduction to the world of horses from anatomy and feeding to cost of ownership and tack! At Station 2 you’ll receive basic riding instruction and be introduced to your own horse for a scenic trail ride through Cave Creek Regional Park. Last, at Station 3 the Ranger will introduce you to the unique critters that call the Sonoran Desert home and you will also get the chance to try your hand at gold panning while learning about the rich mining history of the area. This program is geared towards girl scouts (grades 4-5) earning a Horse Rider or Fan Badge. Advanced registration is required. For more information please contact Deb Bitton at 623-742-6700 or deb@cavecreektrailrides.com |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Duration: 4 hours |
| Speaker: Deb Bitton and Ranger Mark |
| Registration Required: Yes |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entry fee + program fee |
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| More Info: http://www.cavecreektrailrides.com |
| Contact: Deb Bitton at 623-742-6700 or deb@cavecreektrailrides.com |
| Location: Meet at the Horse Trailrides |
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Address:
37019 N. Lava Lane
Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
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| Progressive Fitness Hike #5 - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Want to increase your fitness level and also enjoy the outdoors? Hit the trails with us for a fun way to get back in shape! During this hike series, each hike will increase in length and difficulty in order to help you prepare for the grand finale hike – the 7.5-mile loop trail around Pass Mountain! This is a great way to get in shape and to hike many different trails in Usery Park at the same time. This fifth hike of the series will be approximately 6.5 miles. Please bring water, hats, and closed-toe shoes. Location: Trail Staging Area. Note: Participation in the 4th or 5th hike in this series is required to do the final hike. |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 8:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| 4th Annual Archaeology Expo - Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area |
| Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area |
| March 2 Saturday 9am-3pm 4th Annual ARCHAEOLOGY EXPO AT SPUR CROSS
Join the park staff as well as the Arizona Archaeology Society for this day of fun and learning. Sponsored by Desert Foothills Chapter, Arizona Archaeological Society, the Town of Cave Creek, Cave Creek Museum, and Maricopa County Parks. Hikes to archaeological sites, booths, crafts, pottery and flint-knapping demonstrations, plus other hands-on children activities will be featured. |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Duration: One Day |
| Speaker: various |
| Registration Required: No |
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| More Info: |
| Contact: Kevin Smith, park ranger at 480-488-6623 or kevinsmith@mail.maricopa.gov |
| Location: Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area |
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Address:
44000 N. Spur Cross Road
Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
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| Archery 101 - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Interested in archery? Curious about how to shoot a bow? Come to Usery Park and find out! You will discover how fun archery really is! Participants will experience a fun and safe introduction to recreational and international-style target archery. Equipment will be provided. This class is open to anyone ages 8 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring water, hats, and closed-toe shoes. Meet at the Archery Range. Note: this class is also offered at 10:30am. |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 9:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Saturday Bird Walk - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| How do you tell one brown bird from the next, and what are the first three items to look for as the little rascal flits off? Are you already a novice but interested in keeping a yearly, state or country bird list? Bird expert, Sandy Hornbaker, will talk about bird habitat, behavior, range, etc. as we go in search of the native birds in this area. Please bring binoculars, water, and closed-toe shoes. Location: Nature Center. |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 9:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Expo Hike #1 - First Mesa Ruins Hike |
| Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area |
| March 2 Saturday 10:00 am Expo Hike #1 - First Mesa Ruins Hike(moderate) Join professional archaeologist Mark Hackbarth on a hike up to First Mesa to see the largest archaeological site in the conservation area. Mark will discuss the Hohokam dwellings and their culture. This 2.5 mile hike is moderate requiring some uphill walking. Plan on at least three hours for this hike and talk with Mark. Bring plenty of water, appropriate footwear, snacks, and a hat. |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Duration: 2 hours |
| Speaker: Mark Hackbarth |
| 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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| Looking for Early Flowers Hike - Lake Pleasant |
| Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
| Come explore with Naturalist Frank Meyerholtz on this 1.5 mile hike. It will take about 1.5 hours and stop for a snack about halfway, so bring some snacks and water. This hike is moderate with a few hills. There are chances of seeing wildlife along the trail, and hopefully some flowers, so bring your binoculars and camera, too. Wear good hiking shoes and hiking sticks help on the rough spots. We will meet at the South Pipeline Canyon Trailhead inside the park. Once inside park, continue straight on North Park Road to the trailhead. This hike starts at 10AM and 12PM, meet Frank at the trailhead. |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Duration: 1.5 miles / 1.5 hours |
| 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 at S. Pipeline Canyon Trailhead |
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Address:
Take Hwy 74 to Castle Hot Springs Rd., turn right into park, follow "Hike" signs to program
Peoria, AZ |
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| Expo Hike #2 - Rock Art of Spur Cross |
| Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area |
| March 2 Saturday 10:30 am Expo Hike #2 - Rock Art of Spur Cross
(moderate) Join us for a two mile moderate hike with some uphill walking on loose gravel to see some of Spur Cross's petroglyphs. Plan on at least two hours for this hike. Bring plenty of water, appropriate footwear, snacks, and a hat. |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Duration: 2 hours |
| Speaker: Arizona Archaeological Society |
| 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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| Expo Hike #3 - Metate Trail Archaeology Hike |
| Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area |
| March 2 Saturday 11:00 am Expo Hike #3 - Metate Trail Archaeology Hike(easy) Join us for an easier two-mile hike with some walking on loose gravel and over creeks to see some of the archaeolgical sites along the Metate Trail. Plan on about 1.5 hours for this hike. Bring plenty of water, appropriate footwear, snacks, and a hat. |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Duration: 1.5 hours |
| Speaker: Arizona Archaeological Society |
| 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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| 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: 3/2/2013 |
| 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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| Desert Edibles - San Tan |
| San Tan Mountain Regional Park |
| Mmmmm! Tasty! Learn about some of the appetizing delicacies of the Sonoran Desert inside the comfort of the San Tan Nature Center. Be prepared to be amazed, when you find out what makes a tasty treat in the desert, and what does not. We will also be offering a sweet sampling of Ranger Adam's famous Mesquite Pancakes and Prickly Pear Syrup. No utensils necessary. |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| 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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| Get Looking for Early Flowers Hike - Lake Pleasant |
| Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
| Come explore with Naturalist Frank Meyerholtz on this 1.5 mile hike. It will take about 1.5 hours and stop for a snack about halfway, so bring some snacks and water. This hike is moderate with a few hills. There are chances of seeing wildlife along the trail, and hopefully some flowers, so bring your binoculars and camera, too. Wear good hiking shoes and hiking sticks help on the rough spots. We will meet at the South Pipeline Canyon Trailhead inside the park. Once inside park, continue straight on North Park Road to the trailhead. This hike starts at 10AM and 12PM, meet Frank at the trailhead. |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Duration: 1.5 miles / 1.5 hours |
| 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 at S. Pipeline Canyon Trailhead |
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Address:
Take Hwy 74 to Castle Hot Springs Rd., turn right into park, follow "Hike" signs to program
Peoria, AZ |
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| Expo Hike #4 - Metate Trail Archaeology Hike |
| Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area |
| March 2 Saturday 1:00 pm Expo Hike #4 - Metate Trail Archaeology Hike(easy) Join us for an easier two-mile hike with some walking on loose gravel and over creeks to see some of the archaeolgical sites along the Metate Trail. Plan on about 1.5 hours for this hike. Bring plenty of water, appropriate footwear, snacks, and a hat. |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Duration: 1.5 hours |
| Speaker: Arizona Archaeological Society |
| 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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| Venomous Creatures - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Join Ranger Mark at Nature Center for a presentation about the venomous creatures you may find in the Sonoran Desert. Enjoy the beauty of these wonderful, misunderstood, and often maligned animals while learning 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.” Afterwards, Ranger Mark will be feeding all the critters! |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| 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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| Feeding Frenzy! - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| It’s time to feed our critters! Come out and see how these fascinating creatures munch on lunch! Witness the different techniques each animal employs to consume its prey. Meet Ranger Mark in the Nature Center for this compelling consumption of calories! |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
| 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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| Look, Listen and Learn - Lake Pleasant |
| Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
| Come look, listen and learn on the patio of the visitor center anytime between 3PM and 5PM. The Ranger will talk about water issues, history, facilities, wildlife, and anything else you would like to ask and talk about. See you on the patio! |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Duration: On-going program |
| 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., turn right into park, follow signs to visitor center.
Peoria, AZ |
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| Campground Nature Walk - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Join park host, Sandy Hornbaker, for a late afternoon sojourn through our campground and nature trail on a quest to spot desert wildlife and plants. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, but bring binoculars, your afternoon tea, and a little patience. Be prepared to walk one to two miles. Please bring water, hats, and closed-toe shoes. Location: Campsite 21 in the Buckhorn Campground. |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 4:00 PM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| NEW!!! "Everyone's Getting ANTSY!" - Cave Creek |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Head to the Nature Center to meet Ioulia Bespalova (grad student), Ti Eriksson (grad student), and Alyssa Holmes (undergrad student) from Arizona State University. They are studying ANTS and will be bringing LIVE colonies of these very "social" insects to share with us! They will also have a slide presentation and arts and crafts for the kids (and you, too)! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn about these fascinating arthropods! Be sure to bring your curiosity and a camera! The ants go marching one by one, Hurrah! Hurrah! |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Duration: 2 hrs. |
| Speaker: ***SPECIAL GUESTS!!!*** |
| 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 classroom |
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Address:
37900 N. Cave Creek Parkway
Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
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| Stargazing with Telescopes at Lake Pleasant |
| Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
| Come enjoy a fun presentation about the stars, looking out across the lake with big telescopes, sitting in our amphitheater. Learn about the night sky by the fun people from "Stargazing For Everyone." This program will have a slide presentation and then an interactive session with several large telescopes. Come see the moon like you have never seen before! Spend the evening learning more about those little twinkles in the sky. Once in the park just follow the signs to the visitor center. Don't forget your camera, you can hold your camera up to some of the telescopes for a great close up picture of a planet! The visitor center will be open and provide free hot coco and coffee to help keep you warm. |
| Date: 3/2/2013 |
| Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Duration: 2 Hours |
| Speaker: Tony La Conte |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| More Info: http://www.stargazingforeveryone.com |
| Contact: Terry Gerber, Interpretive Ranger 602-372-7460 x 202 |
| Location: Lake Pleasant Regional Park Visitor Center - 623-780-9857 |
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Address:
Take Hwy 74 to Castle Hot Springs Rd., turn right into park, follow signs to visitor center
Peoria, AZ |
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