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SAGUARO GROUP OUTINGS

Saguaro Group general information:
mlodzikm@hotmail.com

March 16 - ESLO Update The Scottsdale City Council is tentatively scheduled to review an update to the
city's Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance at their March 16 meeting which begins at 5 p.m. in the City
Hall Kiva. The ESLO guides development throughout 134 square miles of desert and mountain areas in
Scottsdale. The proposed modifications would provide more stringent controls for the protection of natural
washes. Staff contact is Al Ward, (480) 312-7067-- 5 p.m.

March 17 - St. Patrick Day Hike
Wednesday @ 10:00 AM. Location: Lake Pleasant Visitor Center. Come celebrate St. Patrick Day and Maricopa
County Parks 50th Anniversary, on this fun guided hike. You will be guided on the two mile Roadrunner Trail.
As part of the 50 Hikes on 50 Trails Celebrating 50 Years with Maricopa County Parks hiking program, this
hike is one of several hikes offered in this program. Visit our website to learn more about the 50 Hikes
program. Don't forget to wear your green! (602) 372-7460 (Lake Pleasant Regional Park)

March 17 - Cactus Search
Wednesday, 3/17 @ 10 am: Bring the camera and photograph the famous saguaro that some dubbed the
"Michelin" cactus. This 3-mile walk offers an easy guide to the cacti of the Sonoran Desert. Call 623-465-0431
for information. (Cave Creek Regional Park)

March 18 - Dixie Fitness Trek
Thursday at 9:30 AM: This is a non-interpretive hike designed for the purpose of good, heart healthy exercise.
The Dixie Mine Trail is 4.8 miles long and has a moderate rating. Please be sure to bring plenty of water and
comfortable hiking shoes/boots. This hike departs from the end of Golden Eagle Blvd. in Fountain Hills at the
Dixie Mine Trail parking lot. Please bring the $1 per person hiking fee for walking onto the park or your Park
Annual Pass . Currently, Park sponsored hikes are the only legal access to this trail. (480) 471-0173
(McDowell Mountain Regional Park)

March 18 - Living With the Sun Lecture

The Energy and Environment Lecture Series is sponsored by the Arizona Solar Energy Association and the
Arizona Solar Center in cooperation with the City of Scottsdale Green Building Program. Resources: Toward
Security, Stability and Sustainability -- Renewable Energy Opportunities for Power and Independence. Overview
of renewable energy power sources including wind, water, geothermal, hydrogen, and solar. The lectures are
free, but may be changed or altered from time to time. For more information or to confirm, please call
Anthony Flloyd at (480) 312-4202. Community Design Studio -- 7 to 9 p.m. 7506 E. Indian School Road

March 18 - Lake Pleasant and It's History Slide Show
Thursday @ 3:00 PM Location: Lake Pleasant Operations Building. Duration: 1 hour. Join the Park Ranger for a
talk about Lake Pleasant then and now. Directions to the Operations Building can be picked up at the park
entry station. (602) 372-7460 (Lake Pleasant Regional Park)

March 19 - Desert Survival Presentation
Friday, 3/19 @ 10 am: Join us for this 1 hour informative presentation on desert survival. Ranger will discuss
summer & winter survival kits, signaling, fire building, primitive fire making, killer bees and venomous
creatures. We meet at the Day Use Area. This park program is free with your paid entry fee of $5/vehicle. Call
623-465-0431 to leave reservations. (Cave Creek Regional Park)

March 19 - SEVEN SPRINGS ROAD PETROGLYPHS
8:00 a.m. Moderate Experience this riparian area and its wildlife along a little known trail while in search of
petroglyphs. Meet: Desert Foothills Land Trust parking lot bordering Cave Creek Road at Elbow Bend Road.
Time: Varies, see schedule or call the office 480-488-6131. (Desert Foothills Land Trust)

March 19 - 10 Edible Plants
Friday at 9:30 AM: Join the ranger on his quest to identify ten desert plants that can be eaten. The walk will
take place on the Nursery Tank Trail located within the Ironwood Picnic Area. The 0.5 mile long trail is barrier
free, and is suitable for walkers, wheelchairs or strollers. (480) 471-0173 (McDowell Mountain Regional Park)

March 19 - Wildflowers and Washes Hike
Friday 8:00 am Moderate Discover the fascinating world of spring wildflowers, not only blooming on the
mesas of Spur Cross but also in a desert wash. On this 3-mile hike we will identify wildflowers and explore
Ventana Wash. The hike is 2 * hours long. 480-488-6623 (Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area)

March 20 - All About Wild Burros
Saturday Noon - 2 PM. Location: Lake Pleasant Visitor Center. Duration: 1 * hours. BLM Volunteer Tom Taylor
will share with you his knowledge about wild burros. He will have a wild burro friend along named “Hualapai”
for you to meet. Stop by the Lake Pleasant Visitor Center and pick up information on Lake Pleasant’s large herd
of wild burros. Directions to the visitor center and a map may be picked up at the park entry station. (602)
372-7460 (Lake Pleasant Regional Park)

March 20 - Ruins and Rock Art of Spur Cross Hike
Saturday 8:00 am Moderate Join us for a 2.5-hour hike to explore two premiere Hohokam ruins on the mesas
of Spur Cross and two rock art sites. Not only are the ruins very interesting, but the vistas overlooking the
ranch and Cave Creek are breathtaking. 480-488-6623 (Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area)

March 20 - Short and Scenic Hike
Saturday at 9:30 AM: A hike with a view that is easy to do! Join the ranger for an interpretive hike on the
Hilltop Trail located in the Trailhead Staging Area. It is a 0.4 mile loop with an easy rating. (480) 471-0173
(McDowell Mountain Regional Park)

March 20 - Arizona Reptiles Live
Saturday 2 PM - 4 PM. Location: Lake Pleasant Visitor Center. Arizona Game & Fish Adobe Mountain Wildlife
Center presents this live look at some of Arizona's cold blooded creatures of the desert. Posters and handouts
will be available.(602) 372-7460 (Lake Pleasant Regional Park)

March 20 - Wildlife Conservation Fair
Saturday 3/20 @ 9-1 pm: Cave Creek Regional Park invites you to our first annual Wildlife Conservation Fair.
See native Arizona wildlife. Meet the falconers, conservation experts and the wildlife rehabilitation folks . Call
623-465-0431 for information. (Cave Creek Regional Park)

March 20 The Cave in Cave Creek The DFLT is offering opportunities to see the Preserve at the Cave in
Cave Creek. This usually moderate walk to Cave Creek's famous namesake is an informative tour led by
knowledgeable Desert Foothills Land Trust volunteers. Participants will learn how DFLT preserved a rare
riparian habitat including a cottonwood and willow forest and permanently protected a fragile archaeological
treasure. Space is limited and DFLT members are given first priority. Please bring a hat, sun protection, water,
sturdy shoes and binoculars, if you have them. The hike will begin at 9:45 am at the Desert Foothills Land
Trust office (7518 E. Elbow Bend Rd. #4B, Carefree) and conclude by 1:00 pm. If you would like to participate,
we extend a warm welcome. Please call 480-488-6131 (Desert Foothills Land Trust)

March 20 - Cottonwood Petroglyph Hike
Saturday @ 9:00 AM - Meet in Cottonwood Picnic Area, at North Pipeline Canyon Trailhead. Duration: 3 hours.
Cottonwood is a moderate hike with both trail and wash hiking. This hike is about 4 miles. Please wear sturdy
hiking shoes and bring a plastic water bottle. Bathrooms and water are located at the trailhead. Meet at the
Cottonwood Picnic Area, the first right turn after entering the North entrance to Lake Pleasant Park (North
entrance is about 3 miles north of the South entrance, off of Castle Hot Springs Rd., look for the “Hike” signs).
Directions to the trailhead and a park map may be picked up at the main (South) entry station. (602)
372-7460 (Lake Pleasant Regional Park)

March 20, 8:30-1:00 —Little Granite Mountain Loop. Saturday, A 6.2-mile hike with some steep climbs
and other strenuous patches. Fine desert views and rock formations. Bring snacks and plenty of water. For
reservations and meeting locations, call 480-998-7971 #2. (McDowell Sonoran Land Trust)

March 21 - Roadrunner Trail Fitness Hike
Sunday @ 8:00 AM Location: Lake Pleasant Visitor Center. Duration: 2 hours. Lace up your shoes and come get
fit on a fun hike above the shoreline of Lake Pleasant. This hike will be about four miles long and has some
hills. Afterwards you can visit the visitor center and ask the Park Ranger all sorts of questions!(602) 372-7460
(Lake Pleasant Regional Park)

March 21, 8:30-11:30 —Archeology Hike.

Sunday, See and discuss evidence of early Native American habitation in the McDowell's over
the 3-mile, Ringtail Loop trail. Mild inclines only. For reservations and meeting locations, call
480-998-7971 #2. (McDowell Sonoran Land Trust)
Saguaro Group general information:
mlodzikm@hotmail.com