As the hiking season kicks off, and in time for this year's Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge, join us for a really fun, eye-opening review of What's in My Pack. Whether you're new to hiking or have had the same contents in your backpack for years, it's time to refresh. In addition, your intro to desert safety will include an overview of CPR and hands-on use of an AED. This information can be life saving in the desert, at home, and in public spaces. You will also receive a link to a 20 minute video on our YouTube channel with practical Desert First Aid practices for hiking in desert conditions.

You'll learn from two professionals who have been managing first aid and saving lives in the Sonoran Desert - Yvonne Massman, Natural Resources Coordinator, McDowell Sonoran Preserve and Lori Stauffer, Public Information Officer, Community Relations, Scottsdale Fire Department.

Note: SCFH volunteers will find this useful, but not as in depth as the Desert First Aid classes offered exclusively for volunteers in December & January.

Dessert in the Desert is a new series of hour-long, hands-on introductions to lesser known aspects of our unique Sonoran Desert. This program is being hosted at the Adero Canyon Trailhead so bring a chair, family, friends, your favorite dessert or snack, and join us for an unusual and fun experience. All ages welcome, and everyone must be registered. No pets or alcohol, please.

How did indigenous people survive and thrive in the Sonoran Desert? Learn how people gathered, processed, and consumed indigenous plants such as, Saguaro, Prickly Pear, Buckhorn Cholla, Mesquite and Palo Verde, all commonly found in our backyards. These plants were critical for survival, nutrition and cultural traditions for the people whose lives are rooted in the Sonoran Desert. Today many are being cultivated and reintroduced into desert permaculture systems as sustainable food sources. You will be able to test your own senses (but not sample indigenous foods).

Attendees will also learn about another amazing aspect of our unique Sonoran Desert - how indigenous people used nature and its elements to promote and maintain their physical and mental wellbeing - activities we now have scientific evidence to support. You're in for an informative and rewarding experience!

Join the Town of Fountain Hills and SCFH leaders and volunteers to kick off the hiking season and the Fountain Hills Hiking Challenge. Stop by at 8:00 a.m. for coffee and cookies and to chat with SCFH leaders. At 9:00 a.m. we will hike the 2 mile Lake Overlook Trail. Those who wish to do more can add a mile by walking the circumference of Fountain Park. Bring one liter of water, a hat and wear shoes with grippy soles. Hiking poles are recommended. No dogs please.

This hike is included in the FH Hiking Challenge. Registration for the Hiking Challenge is encouraged but not required to join this hike. Separate registration for all SCFH hikes in the Challenge is required!

The Mesquite Hollow Trail is the newest trail in the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve. Named for the nearly 100 year old Mesquite tree located on the trail just beyond the spur, this new trail is receiving rave reviews from hikers and is a fine example of trails hand built by Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills Trailblazers. This will be a 4.2 mile moderately difficult hike at a moderate pace. We will follow the Promenade Trail to the Mesquite Hollow Trail and return to the trailhead via the Sonoran Trail. Bring 2 liters of water and snacks. Wear sturdy boots; hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please.

This hike is included in the FH Hiking Challenge. Registration for the Hiking Challenge is encouraged but not required to join this hike. Separate registration for all SCFH hikes in the Challenge is required!

Experience all three stages of twilight in the Sonoran Desert, culminating with the spectacular rise of November's Beaver Moon. We'll explore the trail as daylight fades, tuning into what we hear, see, and smell as the desert transforms from day to night. This sensory experience sharpens your awareness to identify the sounds of nocturnal wildlife stirring, the scents that emerge in cooling air, and the subtle visual changes as shadows deepen around us. We'll end with a closeup view of the Beaver Moon through the telescope once darkness fully arrives.

Red flashlights welcome; white lights and flash photography should stay tucked away to preserve everyone's night vision. Be prepared to hike 2 miles roundtrip on the Promenade Trail, a slightly rocky but relatively flat old jeep road after a slight climb at the beginning. No dogs, please.

This hike is led by Vicky Derksen, the host of the Night Sky Tourist podcast and website and owner of a local stargazing business. You can find her online at nightskytourist.com.

Lisa Miller will lead a walk in the FH Desert Botanical Garden where you will discover the remarkable ways plants and animals rely on each other to thrive in the harsh climate of the Sonoran Desert. Some win, some lose in this intricate web of interdependence. Bring water, snacks, a hat and wear sturdy shoes or boots with grippy soles. Hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please.

Lisa Miller, is a Naturalist and Legacy Steward of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, and a FH Dark Sky Association Preservation Committee Member.

Did you know we have a natural Desert Botanical Garden gem of an oasis in Fountain Hills? Established in 1975 and celebrating 50 years, the 8-acre site is located on Fountain Hills Blvd just north of Kingstree Blvd. Join us on this easy, 1-mile trail which winds through lichen-covered granite boulders to the historic P-Bar Ranch dam. With views of the McDowell Mountains, you'll learn about the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert. The introductory morning hike will also feature the history of the P-Bar ranch, up close sightings of unusual saguaros, and wildlife habitats.

If you are interested in learning to identify plants and birds using iNaturalist and Merlin apps, download the free apps before coming to the Garden. Bring water, a snack, a hat, and binoculars if possible. Wear shoes or boots with grippy soles. Hiking poles recommended. Parking is available at the trailhead and on the west side of Fountain Hills Blvd as marked. No dogs, please.

This moderately difficult hike will take in the entire 4.2 mile Ridgeline Loop. The Ridgeline trails are accessed by the Overlook Trail and follow the top of a ridge overlooking Adero Canyon while the Lower Ridgeline and the spur to a scenic overlook provide views to the east. Ridgeline Trail features frequent ups and downs as it follows the ridge and some rocky sections. Hikers will see plenty of interesting rock formations and vegetation indigenous to the Sonoran Desert. Bring two liters of water and snacks, and wear sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please.

This hike is included in the FH Hiking Challenge. Registration for the Hiking Challenge is encouraged but not required to join this hike. Separate registration for all SCFH hikes is required!

Hike with your children ages 5+ on this school holiday to spend time in nature. The group will walk on the 1-mile Overlook Trail, which includes some ups and downs that take us to great views at the top. (No strollers, please.) At 10:00am, at the end of the hike, a representative from the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center will be at the trailhead to talk about the work of the sanctuary and share a few animals, such as an owl, for children to visit with while enjoying cookies and refreshments. Parents may also bring children directly to the trailhead for refreshments and to visit the animals at 10:00 am. Make sure everyone wears closed-toe shoes, hats and has plenty of water. No dogs, please.

Each child must be accompanied by an adult and all participants attending the hike & meeting the animals or just meeting the animals must be pre-registered.

Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, rescues and rehabilitates native wildlife that has been injured, displaced and orphaned. Once rehabilitated, they are returned to the wild. Sanctuary is also provided to animals that cannot be released back to the wild. Visit www.southwestwildlife.org for more information.

This is a very rewarding moderately difficult 5.9 mile, out and back hike starting from the Adero Canyon Trailhead. The trail climbs as it winds through the Adero Canyon to the Sunrise Trail with its hitching post. Those who want an extra challenge may opt to continue another 1/2 mile and climb to the top of Sunrise Peak. Bring two liters of water and snacks, and wear sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please.

This hike is included in the FH Hiking Challenge. Registration for the Hiking Challenge is encouraged but not required to join this hike. Separate registration for all SCFH hikes is required!

This is a moderately difficult 5.6 mile lollipop hike. We will follow the Promenade trail to its end, then take the Sonoran and Lower Sonoran Trails for a loop hike. This hike can also be shortened by taking one of two crossovers to the alternate trail. Bring two liters of water and snacks, and wear sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please.

This hike is included in the FH Hiking Challenge. Registration for the Hiking Challenge is encouraged but not required to join this hike. Separate registration for all SCFH hikes is required!

During this walk through the Desert Botanical Garden with birder Pete Herstein, you will be searching for birds, not only by sight, but by sound. November is an excellent time for birding here, with viewing of over 15 different species a distinct possibility. Highlights could include Rock Wren, Gilded Flicker, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-crowned Sparrow and Lincoln's Sparrow. Pete will also demonstrate the use of the ebird, Merlin and birdNET apps. Bring water, a hat, and binoculars if possible. Wear shoes or boots with grippy soles. Hiking poles recommended. Bring a bottle of water and snacks. No dogs, please. A great way to experience the Garden and help celebrate 50 years!

This is a 4 mile more challenging hike that involves two climbs but we will not be rushing! We climb to the top of the Western Trail - a steep, rocky, difficult trail ending at the Promenade Trail. From there we'll hop over to hike the North Leg Trail which descends for about 1 mile as it follows a ridgeline to its end. So even though this trail is short be prepared for an uphill hike on the return. Bring two liters of water and snacks, and wear sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please.

Both trails will be included in the FH Hiking Challenge. Registration for the FH Hiking Challenge is encouraged but not required to join this hike. Separate registration for all SCFH hikes is required!

This will be a moderate paced, challenging hike from the Golden Eagle Trailhead to the Adero Canyon Trailhead and return. The total distance is about 10 miles round trip. For an extra challenge, some participants may wish to add 1/2 mile by climbing the Western Trail, a short but difficult trail. It is possible to shorten the hike to 5 miles by arranging to be picked up at the Adero Canyon Trailhead. Bring two to three liters of water, lunch or snacks, and wear sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please.

This hike is included in the FH Hiking Challenge. Registration for the Hiking Challenge is encouraged but not required to join this hike. Separate registration for all SCFH hikes is required!

This is a moderate to difficult in & out 8 mile hike on a beautiful portion of the Arizona Trail. Early turn around is possible if the hike or distance is too challenging. Trail access is off a paved road. The trail gradually climbs through a canyon.

If the winter is wet, we may cross a stream several times. This area was burned in the 2012 Sunflower Fire and it is amazing to see how well it has recovered. Bring 2-3 liters of water and lunch. Wear sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. 30 minute drive time to trailhead all on paved road. No dogs, please.

Back by popular demand, the SCFH invites you to join Dan Gruber as he leads you on an informative hike in the FH McDowell Mountain Preserve. Dan will talk about the different rocks, the stories they tell about local geological history and their importance to the area, and some unique features along the way.

We'll have a relaxed pace with numerous stops for a 2-mile round trip on the moderate Andrews-Kinsey Trail. Bring two liters of water and snacks, and wear sturdy shoes or boots. Hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please.

The Mesquite Hollow Trail is the newest trail in the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve. Named for the nearly 100 year old Mesquite tree located just beyond the spur, this new trail is receiving rave reviews from hikers and is a fine example of trails hand built by Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills Trailblazers. This will be a 5.1 mile moderately difficult hike at a moderate pace. We will follow the Promenade Trail to the Mesquite Hollow Trail and return to the trailhead via the Lower Sonoran Trail. Bring 2 liters of water and snacks. Wear sturdy boots; hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please.

The SCFH invites you to join Vicky Derksen on this moonless evening to observe the night skies. You might see a planet or two and locate and identify constellations and their stars while Vicky recounts some cultural star stories. After the hike, a Star Dude will point the telescope at deep space objects that can't be seen with the naked eye.

Bring pre registered children age 8+, wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe sturdy shoes. Bring water and hiking poles if needed. Red flashlights welcome; white lights and flash photography should stay tucked away to preserve everyone's night vision. Be prepared to hike 2 miles roundtrip on the Promenade Trail, a slightly rocky but relatively flat old jeep road after a slight climb at the beginning. No dogs, please.

Vicky Derksen is the host of the Night Sky Tourist podcast and website and owns a local stargazing business. You can find her online at nightskytourist.com.

What better way to get into a festive mood than to enjoy the Avenue of the Fountain holiday lights, learn about some of the town's art installations, and share hot chocolate and cookies! We will meet outside the Community Center entrance for a 2 mile walk exploring the outdoor art work in downtown Fountain Hills. We will start in the Centennial Circle then make our way down the Avenue of the Fountains and stop at various places around Fountain Park. We will wrap up by enjoying hot chocolate, coffee and cookies!

At 150 pieces, Fountain Hills is home to one of the largest public art collections in the state of Arizona. Learn more about the art work and view a map at: fountainhillspublicart.com. Bring a bottle of water, wear your best holiday finery and comfortable walking shoes. No dogs, please.

Do you know we have a natural Desert Botanical Garden gem of an oasis in Fountain Hills? Established in 1975, and celebrating its 50th anniversary, the 8-acre site is located on Fountain Hills Blvd just north of Kingstree Blvd. Join us on this easy, 1-mile trail which winds through lichen-covered granite boulders to the historic P-Bar Ranch dam. With views of the McDowell Mountains, you'll learn about the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert. The introductory morning hike will also feature the history of the P-Bar Ranch, up close sightings of unusual saguaros, and wildlife habitats.

If you are interested in learning to identify plants and birds using iNaturalist and Merlin apps, download the free apps before coming to the Garden. Bring water, a snack, a hat, and binoculars if possible. Wear shoes or boots with grippy soles. Hiking poles recommended. Parking available at the trailhead and on the westside of Fountain Hills Blvd as marked. No dogs, please.

This is a moderately difficult 5.2 mile round trip hike to a historic mine in the McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Only trace amounts of valuable minerals were ever found in the mine. $2 park entry fee into MMRP. Bring two liters of water and snacks, and wear sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please.

Are you an early riser looking for an earlier hike that won't last all morning? This season Cathy Pepperd will lead monthly hikes at a moderate pace that have an earlier start.

This month she will hike the moderately difficult Ridgeline Trail which starts at the Overlook Trail and continues on the Ridgeline Trail to the Scenic View for a 4.0 mile out and back hike. This route features frequent ups and downs as it follows the ridge and some rocky sections. Hikers will see plenty of interesting rock formations and vegetation indigenous to the Sonoran Desert. Bring two liters of water and snacks, and wear sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please.

How about a late afternoon two hour hike ending at sunset to close out your day? Each month this season we plan to lead a moderate pace hike that starts two hours before sunset. We will go as far as we can in one hour and then turn back to the trailhead. This month we will take the Promenade Trail to the Lower Sonoran and return the same way. If we make it to the first crossover, we may return via the Sonoran Trail. Bring two liters of water and snacks, and wear sturdy boots. Hiking poles recommended. No dogs, please!