| 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: 3/9/2013 |
| Time: 7:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Bird Hikes - Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
| Estrella Mountain Park |
| Join knowledgeable folks from the Sonoran Audubon Society for an easy hike along the Gila River discovering the bird life of Estrella Park. Between the river habitat, the mesquite bosque, nearby farm fields, and the turf area, over 150 different species have been observed. We are likely to see up to 40 species, including: Herons, Egrets, Kingfishers, Ospreys, Hawks, Ibis, and Stilts. 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 Saturday at the Nature Center. Bring your own binoculars and books if you have them, a limited number will be available if you don't. This hike series will be ending in April. Helpful Information: Rain cancels event. |
| Date: 3/9/2013 |
| Time: 8:00 AM |
| 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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| Hohokam Houses - the Ruins of Spur Cross**CANCELLED** |
| Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area |
| March 9 Saturday 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. (CANCELLED-SPUR CROSS RECEIVED 1.4" OF RAIN SINCE YESTERDAY. THIS HAS RESULTED IN INCREASED FLOWS OF CAVE CREEK WHICH HAS WASHED OUT ALL CREEK CROSSING BRIDGES. STAFF WILL TRY TO HAVE THESE REPLACED BY THE END OF TODAY AFTER THE FLOWS HAVE RECEDED) |
| Date: 3/9/2013 |
| 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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| 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: 3/9/2013 |
| Time: 9:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| WE ARE A GO Pleasant Paddlers Program - Humbug Bay Paddle Tour & Hike - Lake Pleasant |
| Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
| WE ARE A GO, NO WIND AND RAINS HAVE STOPPED. This is one of the Pleasant Paddlers Program's favorite paddle/hikes of the year. If you like to explore on water and on land, this is the one to join us. Even though the hike is optional, we will be paddle touring to the back of Humbug Bay and hiking up the cool canyon to the old Humbug Gold Mining Dam. Bring your paddlecraft, pack plenty of water, snacks, hiking shoes and bring extra clothes in your dry bag. YOU MUST WEAR A PFD (LIFE VEST)WHEN ON THE WATER! Total length of paddle will be around 10 miles and the hike around 5 miles. Call the Ranger for any questions, no need to sign up, just show up. Arrive early, we leave the shoreline at 9AM sharp!!! |
| Date: 3/9/2013 |
| Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Duration: 7 hours |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle + $2 per paddle craft park entry |
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| Contact: Terry Gerber, Interpretive Ranger 602-372-7460 ext. 202 |
| Location: Lake Pleasant Regional Park at the 4 - lane boat 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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| Animal Art - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Join Ranger Mark in the Nature Center as we employ some basic art techniques to create "Animal Art". Activities may include live animal "models". Please dress appropriately for the activity (some mediums are messier than others). While this activity is geared for our younger nature/art enthusiasts, all ages are welcome! |
| Date: 3/9/2013 |
| 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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| Desert Wildflower Walks- North Trail – McDowell Park |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| Join Ranger Amy to identify the gorgeous desert flowers that are blooming in the desert. Every week, different species will appear as the wildflower season unfolds—it is always a surprise what we find! Call the park for updates. Be sure to bring your camera! Every week will be a new location in the park, based on where the prime blooms are, that week. This week's walk is on the North Trail. Meet at the North Trail Trailhead. |
| Date: 3/9/2013 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Duration: 1 1/2 hours |
| 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.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255 |
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| Short Wildflower Hike with Frank - Lake Pleasant |
| Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
| Meet Naturalist Frank at the Visitor Center for a short hike into the desert to spot wildflowers and other things. This hike is only about 1.5 hours and not too difficult. |
| Date: 3/9/2013 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Duration: 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 Visitor Center |
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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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| Wild about Wildflowers Walk- San Tan |
| San Tan Mountain Regional Park |
| Are you wild for wildflowers? This spring should reward us with an explosion of colorful wildflowers! Join us for a 2.2-mile stroll along the Stargazer Trail in search of these desert delights. Not only will you learn about our desert wildflowers, but you can capture the beauty of the flowers with a camera. |
| Date: 3/9/2013 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 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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| Geology Up Close - Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
| Estrella Mountain Park |
| This informative program will help you gain a basic understanding of geology. Want to know more about the geologic time scale, or learn the difference between metamorphic and alluvial, then this program is for you! Join special guest speaker, Joe Ford, on a walk in the desert to look at geology “up-close”. Program will be held on the trail, but is not a hike. Joe holds several degrees in education and a Masters Degree in Natural Science from the University of Oklahoma. He has been an educator on the junior high, high school and college levels. He is a board member in the Sonoran Audubon Society and a past member of the Sun City Rockhounds, among many of his other interests. Meet at the Coldwater Trail head. |
| Date: 3/9/2013 |
| Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM |
| Speaker: Joe Ford |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 vehicle entry fee |
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| Contact: Meet at the Coldwater Trailhead |
| Location: Estrella Moutain Regional Park |
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Address:
14805 W. Vineyard Ave.
Goodyear, AZ 85338 |
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| Talking Fishing with Frank - Lake Pleasant |
| Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
| Stop by between Noon and 1:30 PM and hear the great stories of Frank's fishing experience. Frank will share information about fishing, especially for those without watercraft. |
| Date: 3/9/2013 |
| Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Duration: On-going talk |
| 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., turn right into park, follow signs to visitor center.
Peoria, AZ |
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| Animal "Signs" - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Animal "Signs" are everywhere, if you know what to look for. Have you ever been curious to know who made those "tracks" in the dirt? Or have you ever wondered who dug that "hole"? Join Ranger Mark as we investigate Animal "Signs". We will begin our adventure inside the Nature Center learning about the different clues they leave behind. Then we will take a hike to apply what we have learned. As a fun activity you can make a plaster cast of animal tracks to take home. Please bring water, wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. No dogs please. Meet at the Nature Center. |
| Date: 3/9/2013 |
| Time: 2:00 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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| Snake Feeding - San Tan |
| San Tan Mountain Regional Park |
| It’s dinner time at San Tan and our snakes have an appetite that can only be described as “striking.” Watch as the Snakes and Gila Monster, inside the visitor center, stretch their jaws and swallow their prey whole. Feel free to ask the ranger questions and learn some “rattling” new facts about reptiles. (Please note that this event will feature snakes eating pre-killed mice and may not be suitable for all ages.) |
| Date: 3/9/2013 |
| Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| 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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| Wild for Wildflowers! Walk - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Wild for wildflowers? This spring should reward us with an explosion of colorful wildflowers! Join us for this casual stroll along the quarter-mile Desert Hawk Trail in search of these desert delights. Not only will you learn about our desert wildflowers, but you will bring home some beautiful souvenirs with the photos you take! Location: Nature Center. |
| Date: 3/9/2013 |
| Time: 2:00 PM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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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: 3/9/2013 |
| Time: 4:00 PM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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