Afternoon: Check into Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort after 3:00 PM. On site program registration between 4:30 - 5:15 PM.

Dinner: Dinner will be at the Cottonwoods Resort. Entrees will vary nightly and include a vegetarian option. Entree examples include: Chicken w/Provencial Herbs; Stuffed Jumbo Pasta Shells; Creole Cornbread Catfish Filets; Shaved Italian beef w/au jus on Sourdough. Entrees include soup or salad, steamed seasonal vegetables, assorted rolls & butter, light desert, and a non-alcoholic beverage.

Evening: Introductions and orientation in the Resort meeting room following dinner.

Lodging: Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort and Suites

Meals Included: Dinner

Hiking in Arizona's Sonoran Desert in Phoenix's South Mountain Park/ Preserve.

Note: Hike about 7 miles and 1000 vertical feet.

Breakfast: Enjoy a continental breakfast at the resort, which varies daily and could include: scrambled eggs, bacon burritos, croissant sandwich, whole fruit, whole grain breads, oatmeal, coffee,tea and juice.

Morning: Hike in Phoenix's South Mountain Park/Preserve. At 16000 acres, it is the largest Municipal park in the country, and has over 51 miles of trails. Our first hike will serve as an introduction to the rich and diverse Sonoran Desert. Your naturalist guide will interpret the often iconic plant species including the saguaro cacti, barrel cacti, mesquite, creosote and ocotillos. Animal sightings (if luck is on our side) may include Lizards, beetles, songbirds, desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, coyote, fox, desert night lizards, Gilbert's skinks, golden eagles, and several species of hawks.

Lunch: Sack lunches along the trail.

Afternoon: Continue hiking in Phoenix's South Mountain Park/Preserve.

Dinner: Dinner will be at the Cottonwoods Resort. Entrees will vary nightly and include a vegetarian option. Entree examples include: Chicken w/Provencial Herbs; Stuffed Jumbo Pasta Shells; Creole Cornbread Catfish Filets; Shaved Italian beef w/au jus on Sourdough. Entrees include soup or salad, steamed seasonal vegetables, assorted rolls & butter, light desert, and a non-alcoholic beverage.

Evening: Evening program on the Geology, Human History or Natural History of the Superstition Mountains and the surrounding area.

Lodging: Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort and Suites

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: The Bell Pass Trail climbs about 1500 feet for a round trip hike of about 7 miles.

Breakfast: Wake up to a hearty breakfast buffet.

Morning: Each day's destination is dependent on the current weather and/or road conditions and may change to other days of the week or alternative destinations. Typical hiking distances are 4-8 miles with 600-1500 feet of elevation change. Depart after breakfast for day's hike in Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve on the northwest edge of the metropolitan area. This 17000 acres in the McDowell Mountains is pristine Sonoran Desert. The Bell Pass Trail climbs about 1500 feet for a round trip hike of about 7 miles.

Lunch: Sack lunches along the trail.

Afternoon: Continue hike, returning to Scottsdale Cottonwood Resortin the afternoon.

Dinner: Dinner will be at the Cottonwoods Resort. Entrees will vary nightly and include a vegetarian option. Entree examples include: Chicken w/Provencial Herbs; Stuffed Jumbo Pasta Shells; Creole Cornbread Catfish Filets; Shaved Italian beef w/au jus on Sourdough. Entrees include soup or salad, steamed seasonal vegetables, assorted rolls & butter, light desert, and a non-alcoholic beverage.

Evening: Enjoy a free evening.

Lodging: Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort and Suites

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hike up Iconic Camelback Mountain in central Scottsdale, then travel to the Superstition Mountains.

Note: Hike up 1200 feet and 3 miles round trip.

Breakfast: Wake up to a hearty breakfast buffet.

Morning: Immediately after breakfast, we'll go for a short but steep hike up Central Camelback Mountain. From the Cholla Trailhead hike up 1200 feet and 3 miles RT for spectacular views of the area. We then return to the Resort and check out of our rooms.

Lunch: Lunch at the Scottsdale Cottonwoods resort, followed by departure to Apache Lake.

Afternoon: Depart for the Apache Lake Resort for afternoon check-in hotel for check-in.

Dinner: Dinner at Apache Lake Resort.

Evening: Evening program on the Sonoran Desert, or another program of interest.

Lodging: Apache Lake Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Hike about 5.5 miles and 700 feet.

Breakfast: Breakfast at Apache Lake Resort..

Morning: Depart after breakfast for today's hike on the Boulder Canyon Trail,We'll hike about 5.5 miles and 700 feet to a spectacular view of Boulder Canyon; or another hike scheduled according to weather and road conditions.

Lunch: Sack lunches along the trail.

Afternoon: Continue hike, returning to hotel in mid to late afternoon.

Dinner: Dinner at Apache Lake Resort.

Evening: Evening program on desert wildlife, or another program of interest.

Lodging: Apache Lake Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Hike 9 miles and 1000 vertical feet.

Breakfast: Breakfast at Apache Lake Resort.

Morning: Depart after breakfast for another all day hike: Today's hike starts with a spectacular view above Apache Lake, It begins its ascent on a moderately graded former road bed through grassy rolling hills towards Castle Dome. The trail is mostly smooth but an occasional Rocky section keeps you on your toes. Turning around at the shoulder of Castle Dome is an easy 9 miles and 1000 vertical feet.

Lunch: Sack lunches along the trail.

Afternoon: Continue hike, returning to hotel in mid to late afternoon.

Dinner: Dinner at Apache Lake Resort.

Evening: Program wrap-up and farewells.

Lodging: Apache Lake Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the Apache Lake Resort.

Morning: NAU Road Scholar vans depart from Apache Lake Resort after breakfast with a drop off at the Phoenix Airport by 10:30 AM followed by a stop at the starting hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast