Ride with the Ranger Every Thursday at 3:00 PM

Join Ranger Sarah for an hour trail ride as she shares her knowledge at the flora and fauna and the history of the park with trail ride guests.  Please call for reservation as space is limited.

RIDE "N" ROSE SPECIAL
Horse Rides in the Desert
LOVE IS IN THE AIR
Come and join us for a beautiful, relaxing and quiet horseback ride in the Sonoran Desert as the sunsets in the Cave Creek Recreation Area.

February 1 - 14, 2012

$96.00 per couple + tax for the 1 hour Sunset Ride
(Regular rate is $106.00 per couple)

$116.00 per couple + tax for the 1.5 hour Sunset Ride
(Regular rate is $126.00 per couple)

To reserve your spot for this Valentine Special please call us at: 623-742-6700.



Cave Creek Regional Park
Program Schedule
February 2012


Please join us for exciting ranger-guided hikes and family-oriented programs at Cave Creek Regional Park. This complete list of opportunities for Cave Creek Regional Park and other county parks can be found by visiting our website at http:// www.maricopa.gov/parks/cave_creek.

What to Bring: Please wear sturdy shoes (closed-toe), dress appropriately for the weather and bring more water than you think you will need. See descriptions below for specifics.

Notes: Fees for guided hikes and programs are included in the park entry fee of $6 per vehicle or with your annual pass. Reservations are not required unless specified in the program description. Hikes/programs


Feb. 1 Wednesday, 10:00 – 11:30a - Wildlife Tracking
Have you ever been interested in knowing who made "those" tracks on the trail or in your backyard? Or have you ever wondered who pooped on your front porch? Come join us as we investigate the world of tracks and scat. We will begin our adventure inside the Nature Center learning about the different animals that live in the Sonoran Desert and the clues they leave behind. Then we will finish off with hike to apply our new found knowledge of looking for and understanding these clues. As a fun activity we will be making plaster cast tracks of some of your favorite desert critters to take home. Please bring water, wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. No dogs please. Meet at the Nature Center.

Feb. 2 Thursday, 9:00– 11:00a - Reach Your Goal Fitness Series #4
Do you have that goal to get in shape for 2012? Join the Ranger as we help you reach that goal with this weekly fitness hike. We will slowly build up to our final hike on March 1st which will be our 6 mile Go John Trail! What better way to get in shape, enjoy the outdoors and meet some great people. Up for the challenge? Make sure you have good hiking shoes and always bring plenty of water. Week 4- Quartz Trail – 3.6 miles/moderate (counter clockwise). Meet at the Slate Trailhead.

Thursday, 3:00—4:00p—Ride with the Ranger
Join the Ranger and Cave Creek Trailrides as we introduce you to the amazing wonders of Cave Creek Park and the Sonoran Desert on horseback! This will be a 1 hour ride where we will introduce you to the nature and landscape as you have never seen it before. Registration is required for this fee based program. ***Please call Cave Creek Trailrides at 623- 742-6700 to sign up.****

Feb. 3 Friday, 6:30 – 8:30p – Moonlight Hike: Clay Mine
Join us on an amazing and mysterious adventure as we enter our Clay Mine. This will be an easy .5 mile (1 mile roundtrip) hike as we have the moon light the way to the mine. Once inside, candles will bring us through the history of this mine and will learn how its contents were used to cure all your ailments. We will supply the helmets to enter the mine as long as you bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Bring a flashlight in case you need it. Meet at the Group Campground.

Feb. 4 Saturday, 11:00 – 12:00p – Reptile Feeding
Have you ever seen a reptile eat? Join the staff after your morning hike and see how our cold-blooded residents eat their meals for yourself! Frozen rodent entrees will be served to the critters. Come learn about the important roles these creatures play in our dynamic food web. Feeding takes place in the Nature Center. Saturday, 3:00 – 4:00p - Venomous Creatures
Join us for a presentation about the venomous creatures you may find around the Valley! Enjoy the beauty of these wonderful and misunderstood animals while learning about fascinating facts and the important roles each creature plays in the desert ecosystem. As Marie Curie, French Physicist and two-time Nobel Prize recipient said "Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." Meet inside the Nature Center.

Feb. 5 Sunday, 8:00 – 1:00p –Horses, Gold and Critters…Oh My!
Get your boots on and come on out to Cave Creek Trailrides! Get a hands on "Old West" experience within our 3 Exploration Stations, where you will gain knowledge and connect as a group! Station 1 provides a great introduction to the world of horses from anatomy and feeding to cost of ownership and tack! At Station 2 you'll receive basic riding instruction and be introduced to your own horse for a scenic trail ride through Cave Creek Regional Park. Last, at Station 3 the Ranger will introduce you to the unique critters that call the Sonoran Desert home and you will also get the chance to try your hand at gold panning while learning about the rich mining history of the area. This program is geared towards girl scouts (grades 4-5) earning a Horse Rider or Fan Badge. Advanced registration is required. For more information please contact Deb Bitton at 623-742-6700 or deb@cavecreektrailrides.com

Feb. 9 Thursday, 9:00– 11:00a - Reach Your Goal Fitness Series #5
Do you have that goal to get in shape for 2012? Join the Ranger as we help you reach that goal with this weekly fitness hike. We will slowly build up to our final hike on March 1st which will be our 6 mile Go John Trail! What better way to get in shape, enjoy the outdoors and meet some great people. Up for the challenge? Make sure you have good hiking shoes and always bring plenty of water. Week 5- Overton Trail/Go John loop -3.2 miles/moderate. Meet at the Nature Center.

Thursday, 3:00—4:00p—Ride with the Ranger
Join the Ranger and Cave Creek Trailrides as we introduce you to the amazing wonders of Cave Creek Park and the Sonoran Desert on horseback! This will be a 1 hour ride where we will introduce you to the nature and landscape as you have never seen it before. Registration is required for this fee based program. ***Please call Cave Creek Trailrides at 623- 742-6700 to sign up.****

Feb. 11 Saturday, 9:00 – 11:00a - Archery 101
Interested in archery? Curious as to how it feels to shoot a compound or recurve bow? Sign up for this fun "Archery 101" program. Participants experience a fun and safe basic introduction to recreational and international-style target archery. Equipment is provided. This archery program is open to anyone ages 8 and older. Please bring water and wear closed-toe shoes. ******Advanced registration is required. Limited to 20 participants. Please contact Ranger Sarah at 623-465- 0431x202 to register. Ranger will return call to confirm. ***** Meet at the Group Campground. CAVE CREEK REGIONAL PARK—www.maricopa.gov/parks/cave_creek

Feb. 11 Saturday, 11:30 – 1:00p - Archery 202
For those who completed our "Archery 101" class, this class will take you to the next level! Participants will learn about field target archery, learn how to improve their accuracy, and enjoy some friendly competition. Equipment will be provided. Participants must be graduates of our "Archery 101" class (Introduction to Archery) and be able to present their Archer's card to the Range Master. This class is open to ages 8 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring water, hats, and closed-toe shoes. ******Advanced registration is required. Limited to 20 participants. Please contact Ranger Sarah at 623-465-0431x202 to register. Ranger will return call to confirm. ***** Meet at the Group Campground.

Feb. 14 Tuesday, 9:00a—3:00p—Arizona Centennial Celebration—100 Mile Hike
It's Arizona's 100th birthday and it is time to CELEBRATE! Join us for an exciting hike on our BRAND NEW Quartz Trail (3.6 miles roundtrip)! This will be an open-house style hike and you can start any time between 9am and 3pm. Meet at either the Go John Trailhead or the Slate Trailhead. Feb. 16 Thursday, 9:00– 11:00a - Reach Your Goal Fitness Series #6
Do you have that goal to get in shape for 2012? Join the Ranger as we help you reach that goal with this weekly fitness hike. We will slowly build up to our final hike on March 1st which will be our 6 mile Go John Trail! What better way to get in shape, enjoy the outdoors and meet some great people. Up for the challenge? Make sure you have good hiking shoes and always bring plenty of water. Week 6- Overton Trail/Go John loop -3.2 miles/moderate (reverse). Meet at the Nature Center.

Thursday, 3:00—4:00p—Ride with the Ranger
Join the Ranger and Cave Creek Trailrides as we introduce you to the amazing wonders of Cave Creek Park and the Sonoran Desert on horseback! This will be a 1 hour ride where we will introduce you to the nature and landscape as you have never seen it before. Registration is required for this fee based program. ***Please call Cave Creek Trailrides at 623- 742-6700 to sign up.****

Feb. 17 Friday, 9:00 – 10:00a- Amazing Plants!
How do desert plants survive (and thrive!) in such a harsh environment? Discover the special strategies of these incredible plants when you join us for a 1-mile hike. Meet at Go John Trailhead.

Feb. 18 Saturday,10:00 – 11:30 a - Tiny Tumbleweed Trekking: Mining!
Tiny Tumbleweed Treks are geared towards our Valley's youngest hikers and nature lovers! Plan to learn about the history of mining in the area and prepare to go into our most famous mine to discover how it was used to produce an elixir to cure al l of your ailments. The hike will be 1-mile (roundtrip). We will supply the helmets to enter the mine as long as you wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the Group Campground.

Saturday,2:00 – 3:30p - Wildlife Tracking
Have you ever been interested in knowing who made "those" tracks on the trail or in your backyard? Or have you ever wondered who pooped on your front porch? Come join us as we investigate the world of tracks and scat. We will begin our adventure inside the Nature Center learning about the different animals that live in the Sonoran Desert and the clues they leave behind. Then we will finish off with hike to apply our new found knowledge of looking for and understanding these clues. As a fun activity we will be making plaster cast tracks of some of your favorite desert critters to take home. Please bring water, wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. No dogs please. Meet at the Nature Center.

Feb. 23 Thursday, 9:00– 11:30a - Reach Your Goal Fitness Series #7
Join the Ranger as we help you reach that goal with this weekly fitness hike. There is only one week left in our series before the big 6 mile Go John Trail! Up for the challenge? Make sure you have good hiking shoes and always bring plenty of water. Week 7- Go John portion -4.5 miles/moderate. Meet at the Go John Trailhead. Thursday, 3:00—4:00p—Ride with the Ranger Join the Ranger and Cave Creek Trailrides as we introduce you to the amazing wonders of Cave Creek Park and the Sonoran Desert on horseback! This will be a 1 hour ride where we will introduce you to the nature and landscape as you have never seen it before. Registration is required for this fee based program. ***Please call Cave Creek Trailrides at 623- 742-6700 to sign up.****

Feb. 24 Friday, 9:00 - 11:00 a -Frontier Tour
We are going to flashback to the past and visit the days of the Old West. We will be visiting Cave Creek's history and make you feel like you are riding the stagecoach. This easy 2 mile hike will bring you down our historic Slate Trail and visit an old mining site. Bring EXTRA water and some sturdy shoes. Meet at Slate Trailhead. Feb. 25 Saturday, 5:00 – 6:30p - History of the Cowboy We will take you through the history of the cowboy on this unforgettable journey. You will meet C. L. "Lee" Anderson , an 1880 Arizona Cowboy, and his horse Concho as he brings you through the history of the old west as never seen before. He will take you back to relive Arizona's Territorial Days and tell you how it really was in the days of gunslingers and saloons . Bring everything you ever wanted to know about the days of the cowboy and find out if Hollywood was fact or fiction. Bring comfortable blankets to sit on in our outdoor amphitheater. ****Bring your smores supplies with you since we will be having a campfire after this program right at the Amphitheater! Meet at the Nature Center Amphitheater.

Feb. 26 Sunday, 8:30 – 10:00a - Spring into Wildflowers
Spring is upon us and so are the wildflowers! Come and see what's blooming in Cave Creek. This 1.5 hour stroll along the 1.5 mile Slate/Jasper/Go John loop trail will showcase the wildflowers found in the park and explore the beauty of the area. Bring plenty of water and sturdy closed toed shoes. Meet at the Slate Trailhead.

Feb. 29 Wednesday, 10:00 – 11:00a – Polliwogin' Storytime
Storytime is geared towards our youngest nature enthusiasts (ages 2 – 6)! Join us for a themed program set around a children's book. Activities will follow and may include live animals, songs, crafts, a short hike and/or games. Meet at the Nature Center.