Maricopa County Parks and Recreation: City Nature Challenge Hike

Join Ranger Kevin on a strenuous hike and use your phone to document biodiversity in the park for the City Nature Challenge global Citizen Science competition that runs April 25-28. The City Nature Challenge is a global competition between cities to document biodiversity in regions around the world, taking place April 25-28. Ranger Kevin will lead a hike with stops along the way to take phone photos of flowers, trees, cacti, birds, bugs, fungi and more to boost the number of observations for Team Phoenix. The route is a 6.6-mile loop using the Spur Cross, Tortuga, and Elephant Mountain trails. You can prepare for this hike by downloading the free iNaturalist app at home on wi-fi and registering your account before you come to the park. For more information about the City Nature Challenge visit City Nature Challenge and for iNaturalist visit A Community for Naturalists · iNaturalist. PLEASE NOTE: Trail conditions on parts of this hike are rated extremely difficult, so expect stretches of loose rock, uneven terrain, and elevation change. Please know your fitness level. If you’re not accustomed to hikes of this length or intensity, work up to this one by doing some of our shorter hikes. Please bring plenty of water (minimum three liters recommended), electrolytes, snacks, and wear sturdy, closed-toed footwear. Proper clothing (layers), sunscreen, and hat are strongly recommended. Trekking poles may be useful. Restrooms are available at the trailhead, but not water. Please, NO pets. MEETING LOCATION: Spur Cross trailhead near the picnic tables under the covered patio by the porta-potties. Entry to Spur Cross Conservation Area is $3 per person. Annual Pass or CASH are accepted, and exact change is much appreciated. If the fee station past the parking lot is closed, there are iron rangers with envelopes to place your payment in. Limit 10 participants. To register, please call the Nature Center at (602) 506-2930 ext. 8 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 4/26/25.