Join Ranger Eric on a 2.3-mile easy to moderate grade hike on the Gila Trail and portions of the Baseline, Toothaker, and Horseshoe Trails while we participate in the April 24-27 Greater Phoenix City Nature Challenge and look for cool plants, animals, fungi, and more along the hike! The first part of the hike we will do on the Gila Trail is a barrier-free 0.5-mile loop, which is accessible by wheelchairs and strollers. For those wanting to go farther, we can continue onward to portions of the Baseline, Toothaker, and Horseshoe Trails, which would make a 2.3-mile loop with occasionally rocky and uneven surfaces. Portapotties are available at the trailhead, but accessible restrooms with flush toilets and sinks can be found just west and north of here around the turf area loop, as well as at the Nature Center which you pass by on your way into the park.
The City Nature Challenge is a bioblitz-style competition challenges local communities to make the most observations of biodiversity in their area during this 4-day period using the free community science app, iNaturalist. You can use the app to identify and document any living organism on the planet, learn about the biodiversity around you, and help scientists better understand where different forms of life occur around the globe! This particular City Nature Challenge will focus on the Phoenix Metro area, including all of our Maricopa County Parks. For more info, check out the following link: https://greaterphoenixcnc.com/
*If you would like to learn how to document nature observations via iNaturalist, please download the free app at home and register an account prior to arrival.
MEETING LOCATION: Gila Trailhead
Exact location (Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/hijRnkZUekdDUngu8
Park map: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/assets/1/6/estrella-8x112024.pdf
Limit 20 participants. To register, please call the Nature Center at 602-506-2930 ext. 6 with your name, phone number, and number of people attending. If you find you cannot attend a program after you have registered, please call the Nature Center ASAP so we may contact those on the waiting list. Registration for this program will close on 4/22.
April is Citizen Science Month! Citizen Science Month 2026 is an official partner of America 250, the campaign to celebrate the United States of America’s semi-quincentennial anniversary. Help us reach 2.50 Million Acts of Science by reporting your iNaturalist observations to SciStarter! Create an account on SciStarter.org, an ASU research affiliate, and add your iNat username to settings (under "Affiliation Integration")—do this once, and all your observations count! Why join SciStarter? Earn credit, explore more projects, and help measure impact! Questions? Reach out! greaterphxcnc@googlegroups.com
PLEASE NOTE: Outdoor programs may be canceled on short notice due to severe weather, including extreme heat events. The Maricopa County Parks website (www.maricopa.gov/parks) is the most accurate resource for verifying the program’s status. Please check the program listing online before coming to the park.