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Hikes & Events with the Sonoran Conservancy

Date: Feb 12 - Dec 22, 2025

Winter/Spring 2025

Activities are available! SIGN UP NOW

All events are free and open to the public. Pre-registration with the Town of Fountain Hills is required. For more information and to register for hikes, visit our site here: EVENTS | SCFH

Who We Are
The SCFH is a 501(c)(3) non-profit established to protect and promote the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve, Fountain Hills Desert Botanical Garden and Lake Overlook Trail for the benefit of the community. It is a volunteer led organization and has no paid staff. SCFH's work is supported by contributions received from the public.

The primary objectives of the Conservancy are to:

support the Town's operational and maintenance priorities
provide recreational opportunities to enjoy these natural assets
provide educational opportunities to promote the value of these natural assets
advocate and take appropriate action to minimize any impact to the Town's natural resources

Interested in volunteering with the Conservancy? Get started here: Volunteer Groups | SCFH

Dessert in the Desert Series: Summer Triangle & the Milky Way

Oct 20, 2025 | 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Dessert in the Desert at Adero Canyon Trailhead! Explore the Summer Triangle, discover constellations, hear cultural star stories, and hunt glowing scorpions. Bring dessert, friends, and a chair. All ages welcome. Registration required.

What's in my Pack & Saving a Life with an AED

Oct 28, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Kick off hiking season with What’s in My Pack! Refresh your gear, learn CPR basics, try an AED, and get a Desert First Aid video. Led by experts Yvonne Massman & Lori Stauffer, this program builds skills to stay safe on the trail, at home, and in public

Dessert in the Desert Series: Lessons from the Past - How indigenous people survived and thrived in

Oct 29, 2025 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge Kickoff - Lake Overlook Trail

Nov 01, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Kick off hiking season with the Town of Fountain Hills & SCFH! Enjoy coffee at 8 a.m., then a 2-mile Lake Overlook Trail hike at 9. Add a mile around Fountain Park if you’d like. Bring water, hat & grippy shoes. Included in FH Hiking Challenge; register

Mesquite Hollow Loop Hike

Nov 05, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Explore the new 4.2-mile Mesquite Hollow Trail, named for a 100-year-old mesquite tree. Enjoy a moderate hike with SCFH Trailblazers via Promenade & Sonoran trails. Bring 2L water, snacks & sturdy boots. Included in FH Hiking Challenge; register today!

Twilight & Moonlight Hike

Nov 05, 2025 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Hike 2 miles on the Promenade Trail to experience twilight’s stages and November’s Full Hunter’s Moon. Tune into desert sights, sounds & scents, then view the moon by telescope. Led by Vicky Derksen. Red flashlights only; no dogs please.

Partners & Parasites - Plant & Animal Interactions

Nov 06, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Join Naturalist Lisa Miller for a walk in the FH Desert Botanical Garden to explore how plants & animals depend on each other in the Sonoran Desert. Bring water, snacks, hat & sturdy shoes. Hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please.

Exploring Among Saguaros

Nov 08, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Celebrate 50 years of the FH Desert Botanical Garden on an easy 1-mile hike to the historic P-Bar Ranch dam. Learn Sonoran Desert flora, fauna & history, spot saguaros & wildlife. Bring water, snack, hat & sturdy shoes. Parking available; no dogs.

Ridgeline Loop

Nov 10, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Tackle the 4.2-mile Ridgeline Loop with views of Adero Canyon and beyond. Expect rocky ups and downs, unique desert plants, and scenic overlooks. Bring 2L water, snacks & sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. Included in FH Hiking Challenge.

Bring Your Kids to Hike Day

Nov 11, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Bring kids 5+ for a 1-mile Overlook Trail hike with great views. At 10 a.m., meet Southwest Wildlife reps at the trailhead, enjoy cookies & see animals like an owl. Wear closed-toe shoes, hats & bring water. No strollers or dogs, please.

Andrews-Kinsey to the Hitching Post

Nov 14, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Enjoy a rewarding 5.9-mile out-and-back from Adero Canyon to Sunrise Trail’s hitching post. For a challenge, add 0.5 mile to Sunrise Peak. Bring 2L water, snacks & sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. Included in FH Hiking Challenge; no dogs.

Sonoran Trail - Short & Full Loop

Nov 19, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Take on a 5.5-mile moderately difficult lollipop hike via Promenade, Sonoran & Lower Sonoran Trails, with crossover options to shorten. Bring 2L water, snacks & sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. Included in FH Hiking Challenge; no dogs.

Birds - Sighting and Identification

Nov 20, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Join birder Pete Herstein at the FH Desert Botanical Garden to spot 15+ bird species like Rock Wren & Gilded Flicker. Learn to use birding apps, enjoy fall birdwatching, and celebrate 50 years! Bring water, hat, binoculars & sturdy shoes. No dogs.

North Leg & Western Trails

Nov 24, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Take on a 4-mile challenging hike with two climbs via Western & North Leg Trails. Expect steep, rocky sections and uphill return. Bring 2L water, snacks & sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. Included in 2025 FH Hiking Challenge; no dogs.

Walk off Turkey - Golden Eagle to Adero Canyon Trailhead, Full Loop or One-Way

Nov 28, 2025 | 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Hike 10 miles round trip from Golden Eagle to Adero Canyon Trailheads, with option to shorten to 5 miles or add 0.5 mile up the steep Western Trail. Bring 2–3L water, lunch/snacks & sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. Included in FH Hiking Challenge.

Little Saddle Mountain

Dec 04, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Enjoy an 8-mile in & out hike on the Arizona Trail with canyon views and stream crossings if wet. See recovery from the 2012 Sunflower Fire. Bring 2–3L water, lunch & sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. 30-min paved drive to trailhead. No dogs.

Rock On

Dec 05, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Join SCFH and Dan Gruber for a 2-mile hike on the Andrews-Kinsey Trail. Learn about local geology, rock history & unique features at a relaxed pace with stops. Bring 2L water, snacks & sturdy shoes. Hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please.

Mesquite Hollow Loop Hike

Dec 09, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Hike the new 5.1-mile Mesquite Hollow Trail, named for a 100-year-old mesquite tree and built by SCFH Trailblazers. Route follows Promenade to Mesquite Hollow and returns via Lower Sonoran. Bring 2L water, snacks & sturdy boots. Hiking poles advised.

Moonless Stargazing Hike

Dec 09, 2025 | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Join SCFH & Vicky Derksen for a 2-mile moonless night hike on the Promenade Trail. Spot constellations, hear star stories & view deep space objects by telescope. Ages 8+. Bring water, sturdy shoes & red flashlight. No dogs; white lights discouraged.

Celebrating the Holidays with Coffee, Hot Chocolate & Cookies!

Dec 10, 2025 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Get festive with a 2-mile holiday lights & art walk in downtown Fountain Hills. Explore public art, enjoy hot chocolate, coffee & cookies after. Meet at Community Center entrance. Bring water, wear comfy shoes & holiday attire. No dogs, please.

Exploring Among Saguaros

Dec 13, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Celebrate 50 years of the FH Desert Botanical Garden on an easy 1-mile hike to the historic P-Bar Ranch dam. Learn Sonoran flora, fauna & history, spot saguaros & wildlife. Bring water, snack, hat & sturdy shoes. Parking at trailhead/west side Blvd.

Dixie Mine Trail

Dec 15, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Hike 5.2 miles round trip to a historic mine in McDowell Mountain Regional Park, where only trace minerals were found. $2 park entry fee. Bring 2L water, snacks & sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please.

Early Morning Hike - Ridgeline Trail

Dec 17, 2025 | 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Join Cathy Pepperd for an early 4-mile out-and-back on the Ridgeline Trail, starting at Overlook. Expect ups, downs & rocky sections with desert views, plants & rock formations. Bring 2L water, snacks & sturdy boots. Hiking poles advised. No dogs.

Late Afternoon Hike - Lower Sonoran Trail

Dec 22, 2025 | 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Enjoy a late afternoon 2-hour sunset hike at a moderate pace. Follow the Promenade to Lower Sonoran, with possible return via Sonoran Trail. We’ll hike 1 hour out, then back. Bring 2L water, snacks & sturdy boots. Hiking poles advised. No dogs, please.

Location(s):

ADERO - (480) 333-1900

Partner

Contact Us

Ryan Preston

Recreation Manager - Events

Phone: 480-816-5170

rpreston@fountainhillsaz.gov

Stay Connected

Town Hall

16705 E Avenue of the Fountains
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 Directions

Phone: 480-816-5100

Hours

Monday to Thursday
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Category(s):

REGIONAL EVENTS