Maricopa County Parks and Recreation: Citizen Science Afternoon/Evening Hike

Join Ranger Eric for the 7.8-mile Malpais loop, one of the most scenic hikes in the Valley, which incorporates the Rock Peak Wash, Malpais, and San Tan Trails and travels below the long line of spectacular cliffs of the Malpais Hills. The hike takes about 5 hours and we will start at mid-afternoon and be finishing it after dark (sunset is about 7pm), allowing us to look for nocturnal animals that emerge in the evening. Wildlife may include scorpions, spiders, insects, owls, nightjars, reptiles, and mammals. It is rated as moderate to difficult, but does not have much in the way of inclines; however, it does involve hiking long distances in sandy washes. Please bring a flashlight or headlamp, wear protective clothing and/or sunscreen, wear sturdy closed-toe footwear, and carry ample water (at least 3 liters recommended) and snacks for yourself. A blacklight is recommended, but the ranger will have one to point out scorpions with. No water available, so bring your own.

Along the hike we will also discuss a couple of related apps that you can use to identify any living organism on the planet, Seek and iNaturalist. Seek is the basic version for identifying organisms, but iNaturalist takes it a step farther by allowing you to share your photographed sightings to a global citizen science database to help scientists and conservationists learn more about biodiversity of our world. If interested in learning how to use Seek or iNaturalist, please download one of them before the program (both are free and available for iOS and Android smartphones) and register an account with the app, as cell service can be spotty in the backcountry of the park.

MEETING LOCATION: Rock Peak Wash Trailhead at the south end of the park; see map here: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/assets/1/6/san-tan-8×11.pdf

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FTqkHUQJ7MvPT7jG7

*Restrooms are NOT available at the trailhead, but are available at the Nature Center about a 10-minute drive away. Self-pay envelopes are available at the trailhead ($7 per vehicle); please bring cash! Maricopa County Parks annual passes also accepted (place hangtag on rearview mirror).

Limit 15 participants. To register, please call the Nature Center at 602-506-2930 ext. 7 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 Tuesday, 4/22.

P.S. If you would like to get more practice with the iNaturalist app, check out the Greater Phoenix City Nature Challenge on the weekend of April 25-28! We will have events scheduled at many of the Maricopa County Parks that weekend, but you can participate across the Phoenix Metro area. More information on this 4-day event here: https://greaterphoenixcnc.com/