Time to go take a hike in Scottsdale area

• Fall signals the return of hikers%2C bikers and equestrians to parks and preserves in the Northeast Valley
• McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers 133 miles of hiking from 11 trailheads
• Maricopa County%2C Phoenix also offer hikes in the northeast area

October's cooler weather means one thing for sure: Hikers will be out in force on Northeast Valley trails.

Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Maricopa County's McDowell Mountain, Cave Creek parks, the county's Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area and other areas in the region are big draws for hikers of all stripes.

Each location offers different challenges, from the high desert scenery of the mountain range to the riparian sights and dense vegetation of Spur Cross.

"The diversity of plants and wildlife species is amazing," said Liz Hildenbrand-Crossman, preserve manager for Scottsdale.

The statement could apply to any of the hiking areas.

Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve spreads across more than 30,000 acres of scenic desert. The first trailheads opened less than 10 years ago. Now, Scottsdale has 11 trailheads in its preserve, providing access to more than 130 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian paths.

The city will open its unofficial October-May hiking season on Saturday, Oct. 18.

Celebrate Preserve Day starts at 8 a.m. at the Brown's Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Parkway.

Local historian Joan Fudala will discuss the preserve's 20-year history. The half-mile-long Jane Rau Interpretive Trail, named for one of the early advocates of the preserve, will feature interactive stations that explain the area's ecology. Stewards from the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy will lead longer hikes to explore the preserve's northern area.

Both the Brown's Ranch Trailhead and the non-profit Conservancy recently won Valley Forward Crescordia Awards that recognize outstanding contributions to the physical environment of Arizona communities.

The trailhead won in the site development and landscape category for parks and trails. It was recognized for its design, which blends into the Sonoran Desert terrain and its renewable energy systems, which make it a "net zero energy" campus.

The Conservancy's McDowell Sonoran Field Institute was recognized in the category of environmental education/communication. Conservancy volunteers work with the city to support the preserve and to champion its sustainability for future generations.

Many of the trailheads offer amenities, including restrooms, shade ramadas, interpretive signage, horse facilities and short, accessible trails. Some provide drinking water. Most have ample parking, although the trailheads can get busy on cool weekends.

The city's agreement with the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy is unique in utilizing volunteers for events, trail cleanups, even trail building and repairs. On Saturday, for example, besides providing support to the Celebrate Preserve Day, volunteers will lead a "wellness hike" to the Marcus Landslide from the Tom's Thumb Trailhead.

The Conservancy lists 18 pages of upcoming events on its website, from bird walks to scientific field work, meetings to nature-oriented walks, lectures to children's activities.

Kathy Dwyer of the Conservancy says it has almost 600 volunteers in 10 areas ranging from education and office work to trail construction and scientific research.

Admission is free to all Conservancy events and the preserve itself.

"I've never seen a community get behind an effort like this," said Jack McEnroe, chairman of the Conservancy board of directors. "Our volunteers provided 43,500 hours of service last year, and 500,000 to 600,000 people used the preserve.

"There's lots of opportunity to make a difference, and it is all free."

At the county parks, it's a different arrangement. Parks employees, not volunteers, take the lead in most of the numerous activities.

Three county parks are near Scottsdale. Each has its own list of things to do.

McDowell Mountain Park, on the east side of the mountain range north of Fountain Hills, has 21,000 acres, more than 50 miles of trails and camping available. It also features a nature center.

Cave Creek Park, far smaller at 2,922 acres, is situated in foothills north of Carefree Highway on 32nd Street. It has an archery range, a rodeo arena and a nature center, along with a variety of hiking options.

Finally, there is Spur Cross Ranch, which is 2,154 acres of rugged desert and riparian areas, archeological sites and remains of early ranching and mining. Spur Cross is north of Cave Creek Road on Spur Cross Road.

Dawna Taylor of Maricopa County Parks notes that each park has numerous events for public participation. Visitation is highest at the more accessible and better known McDowell Mountain and Cave Creek parks. Admission to county parks is $6 per vehicle.

Desert Foothills Land Trust also maintains smaller preserves, open for hiking, adjacent to Cave Creek Park and Spur Cross Ranch. Both county parks abut Tonto National Forest land.

In addition, Phoenix is offering access to its new Sonoran Preserve at Carefree Highway and Seventh Avenue. It too is free, but limited services are available. Two major trailheads into the preserve are farther south.

To learn more

• Maricopa County Parks — www.maricopa.gov/parks. A drop-down menu will take website visitors to each park, where they can find lists of activities, maps and other information.

• Scottsdale — www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve. The website offers maps of trailhead locations and trails and information on history, rules, news updates and links to events.

• McDowell Sonoran Conservancy — www.mcdowellsonoran.org. A comprehensive website with all the information about the volunteer organization that effectively manages the preserve. It features maps, lists of events, educational and research efforts, how to volunteer and how to support the group's efforts.

• Desert Foothills Land Trust — www.dflt.org. Site features the conservation, stewardship and educational efforts of this group, which has focused on land in the Cave Creek area.

• Phoenix Sonoran Preserve — www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails. This link will hook visitors up to the Sonoran Preserve, the older Phoenix Mountains Preserve and South Mountain Park.