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Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - Gilbert - 20 members in 165 triplogs have rated this an average 2.8 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 9  Next
165 triplogs
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May 08 2025
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 Routes 5
 Photos 920
 Triplogs 69

69 female
 Joined Mar 16 2009
 apache junction,
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar May 08 2025
sandyfortnerTriplogs 69
Hiking3.61 Miles 50 AEG
Hiking3.61 Miles   1 Hour   22 Mns   2.71 mph
50 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Nice place to wander around now that it's warming up. Plenty of shade, restrooms and water in a couple locations. Starting at the entrance at the end of the library parking lot and taking the 1st path on the right after the fishing pond, you can walk the perimeter to the canal. That's just shy of a mile. As you walk along the canal there are a few paths where you can rejoin the preserve. I retracted my route a couple times since I was just trying to get 3 miles in. Saw a ton of bunnies, some ducks and other water birds, but the big migration is over. We saw one turtle crossing the path. Gates open at 5:30am.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Gilbert Riparian Preserve 26-50% full 26-50% full
One pond is drying up.
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:M2C: Goldilocks
 
Dec 18 2024
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 18 2024
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Hiking1.52 Miles 6 AEG
Hiking1.52 Miles      48 Mns   1.90 mph
6 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Short hike with wife. Went around a couple of the lakes on the west side. We were out there, midday, just before making a foray into the shopping malls. Ok visit. I imagine evening and mornings might be a little more impressive. Some of the lakes looked to very low, in fact one, looked more like a mud pit. They had Christmas lights set up for the evening, which might be kind of neat to see. Did see a roadrunner (among various other avian life) and was hiking with my wife so that carried the day.
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Jul 10 2024
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 Routes 93
 Photos 7,758
 Triplogs 1,691

64 male
 Joined Mar 11 2003
 AZ
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 10 2024
wallyfrackTriplogs 1,691
Hiking3.60 Miles 9 AEG
Hiking3.60 Miles   1 Hour   6 Mns   3.27 mph
9 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Wanted to start early without getting up at 4am. The Riparian Preserve is 2 miles from my house with plenty of cover and enough trails for a walk. The place is overrun with rabbits, lots of ducks, cranes and I even saw a turtle. Several people out walking or walking their dogs and the trails connect to the canal and powerline trails. I'll keep this one in mind during the sweltering heat.
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  1 archive
Jan 26 2023
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 Routes 85
 Photos 3,718
 Triplogs 486

female
 Joined Oct 15 2002
 Rimrock, Arizona
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 26 2023
cactuscatTriplogs 486
Hiking2.50 Miles 6 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles
6 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Had to come back again. 46 species today - one of my best checklists ever.
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Jan 25 2023
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 Routes 85
 Photos 3,718
 Triplogs 486

female
 Joined Oct 15 2002
 Rimrock, Arizona
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 25 2023
cactuscatTriplogs 486
Hiking1.60 Miles 6 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
6 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Better known as "Water Ranch" to birders - and it is the #1 birding hotspot in the state, a title it took from Patagonia SP recently.
I lived a mile away in Val Vista Lakes when this place was just being constructed. I frequently walked the trails when there was very little vegetation and very few people. Lots of both now ... still very pleasant.
My target bird was the Black-and-White Warbler which has been hanging out in the same area - and mostly the same tree - for months now. It's generally hard to get good looks, but I got one decent photo. Lifer! 😁 There is also a very handsome Wilson's Warbler hanging out in the same tree.
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  2 archives
Apr 13 2022
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 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 13 2022
Tortoise_HikerTriplogs 3,652
Hiking1.40 Miles 14 AEG
Hiking1.40 Miles      33 Mns   2.55 mph
14 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
In the area…. Saw no cats.
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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
Mar 26 2022
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 Photos 5
 Triplogs 1,041

36 female
 Joined Oct 04 2012
 Phoenix, AZ
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 26 2022
WaitingForRainTriplogs 1,041
Hiking2.50 Miles 6 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles
6 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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  1 archive
Jun 26 2021
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 Guides 2
 Routes 25
 Photos 1,890
 Triplogs 604

41 male
 Joined Sep 13 2009
 Mesa, AZ
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Birding avatar Jun 26 2021
jochalTriplogs 604
Birding0.75 Miles 6 AEG
Birding0.75 Miles
6 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I was inspired by rrshort's triplog today to go find the roseate spoonbill. Found him, though he was still a bit far in the photos.
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Oct 02 2020
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 Guides 1
 Routes 447
 Photos 4,407
 Triplogs 938

68 male
 Joined Mar 09 2012
 Gilbert, AZ
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Walk / Tour avatar Oct 02 2020
rayhustonTriplogs 938
Walk / Tour3.30 Miles 82 AEG
Walk / Tour3.30 Miles   1 Hour   22 Mns   2.68 mph
82 ft AEG      8 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Two laps through the Riparian Preserve. A little something easy before a bigger something hard tomorrow.

The feathered winter visitors are arriving in abundance. So are the amateur photographers and birders. Some of the ponds are in varying degrees of "ew," probably due to the drought. The birds don't seem to mind. I limited my photos to the nicer looking ponds.

Several gaggles of Canadian Geese, which have been arriving for a few weeks, flew overhead as I was approaching the Riparian, presumably off to whatever feeding zone they chose for the day.

It appears to be a good time to visit the Riparian based on the number of people around on a Friday morning, and a fabulous morning to be out.
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  4 archives
Sep 26 2020
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 Guides 1
 Routes 447
 Photos 4,407
 Triplogs 938

68 male
 Joined Mar 09 2012
 Gilbert, AZ
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Walk / Tour avatar Sep 26 2020
rayhustonTriplogs 938
Walk / Tour1.87 Miles 52 AEG
Walk / Tour1.87 Miles      44 Mns   2.55 mph
52 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
A lovely morning walk through the Riparian with my wife. The place was very busy today. Lot's of bunny rabbits out too.
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  3 archives
Apr 08 2020
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 Guides 7
 Routes 187
 Photos 2,318
 Triplogs 909

74 male
 Joined Dec 10 2016
 Gold Canyon
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Apr 08 2020
DaytripperTriplogs 909
Run/Jog5.10 Miles 6 AEG
Run/Jog5.10 Miles   1 Hour   2 Mns   4.94 mph
6 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Needed to drop off and pick up my wife in Mesa so decided to get in a jog instead of sitting around. Pleasantly surprised by the lack of crowds here, perhaps due to playgrounds and bathrooms being closed, it’s midweek, perhaps more people staying home , whatever the reason made it more enjoyable. First went on the Eastern Canal down to Elliott , baby ducks noted doing laps in the canal, back to the unpaved path over to Greenfield then along Parkcrest ave checking out the large grass lawns and homes, perhaps a perk of irrigation water being close to the canal. Back to the riparian area , tons of rabbits and waterfowl in here. Glad to do this before the winds kicked up in the afternoon.
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Navy31 Army13
 
Mar 21 2020
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 Guides 7
 Routes 187
 Photos 2,318
 Triplogs 909

74 male
 Joined Dec 10 2016
 Gold Canyon
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Mar 21 2020
DaytripperTriplogs 909
Run/Jog3.50 Miles 6 AEG
Run/Jog3.50 Miles      45 Mns   4.67 mph
6 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Nice sunny but not too warm, met up with my son and his wife for a little jog toward Freestone park and by the eastern canal and then the riparian area. They brought along their 6 month old Berniedoodle puppy, has its own Instagram account :roll: She was entertained with rabbits,ducks, but mostly other dogs. Busy today but able to keep social distance.
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Navy31 Army13
 
Feb 21 2020
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 Guides 38
 Routes 182
 Photos 1,602
 Triplogs 232

40 male
 Joined Dec 09 2014
 Gilbert, AZ
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 21 2020
jacobemerickTriplogs 232
Hiking1.72 Miles 47 AEG
Hiking1.72 Miles   1 Hour   8 Mns   1.64 mph
47 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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Somehow never realized that this preserve was a few miles from the kids school. Walking around the preserve, finding rabbits and birds, was a nice change than the usual after-school playground visit. Lots of other families also enjoying the trails. Kids even found some interesting side paths to check out.
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Feb 19 2020
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 Guides 11
 Routes 2
 Photos 3,776
 Triplogs 334

48 male
 Joined Jun 09 2009
 Mesa, AZ
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 19 2020
cw50mustTriplogs 334
Hiking2.50 Miles 6 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles
6 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This was part of my trying to get back into running routine. Nice dirt trails for running. Its really busy near the parking lot with people taking pictures, not of birds, but of other people. If you get about 25ft or more away from the parking lot it thins out a lot.
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Apr 22 2019
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 Guides 7
 Routes 187
 Photos 2,318
 Triplogs 909

74 male
 Joined Dec 10 2016
 Gold Canyon
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Road Biking avatar Apr 22 2019
DaytripperTriplogs 909
Road Biking15.20 Miles 60 AEG
Road Biking15.20 Miles   1 Hour   33 Mns   9.81 mph
60 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Giving the knees a break from jogging or hiking, nice day, from the main parking lot made a loop and an out and back route, short trek west on Guadalupe, south on Eastern canal then down western Powerline to Freestone Park, back to Powerline access trail through Finley farms and back to eastern canal to peco’s road turned around and took the canal path aka San tan vista trail back to Guadalupe. Had a bee sting on the lip as it bumped into me, fairly large number of bikers and runners out for a weekday, perhaps an extension of Easter break. As it gets warmer biking is a good option.
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Navy31 Army13
 
Apr 06 2019
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 Guides 7
 Routes 187
 Photos 2,318
 Triplogs 909

74 male
 Joined Dec 10 2016
 Gold Canyon
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Apr 06 2019
DaytripperTriplogs 909
Run/Jog7.20 Miles 20 AEG
Run/Jog7.20 Miles   1 Hour   10 Mns   6.17 mph
20 ft AEG4 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Almost pulled the trigger on going to New Mexico last night to visit the Trinity site today but couldn’t justify the 12 hour round trip drive so maybe next year. With no plan in place decided to visit the riperian area for a jog, used the same route as the last few times with a little addition on Guadalupe road. A bit of nostalgia on the Powerline access trail as the orange blossom fragrance reminded me of running routes in Florida before moving here. Canal had more of a fishy odor than usual but did not see any floaters.Surprised that even with a late start the temps never felt that hot , also used my antique mini nano and listened to music,haven’t done that on a run or hike in awhile, improved my pace a little.
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Navy31 Army13
 
Mar 09 2019
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 Guides 7
 Routes 187
 Photos 2,318
 Triplogs 909

74 male
 Joined Dec 10 2016
 Gold Canyon
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Mar 09 2019
DaytripperTriplogs 909
Run/Jog6.10 Miles 70 AEG
Run/Jog6.10 Miles   1 Hour   6 Mns   5.55 mph
70 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Repeat of my usual loop ,from behind the library down the western Powerline trail toward freestone park then down the Powerline access trail to the San tan vista trail,aka eastern canal, back to the start. Great loop for 10k training with minimal elevation change, water views and livestock if only the backs of houses would disappear.Pathways have dried out so no mud to deal with now, nice temps for jogging even midday, pollen and dust have increased however.
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Navy31 Army13
 
Mar 01 2019
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 Guides 7
 Routes 187
 Photos 2,318
 Triplogs 909

74 male
 Joined Dec 10 2016
 Gold Canyon
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Mar 01 2019
DaytripperTriplogs 909
Run/Jog6.33 Miles 70 AEG
Run/Jog6.33 Miles   1 Hour   10 Mns   5.43 mph
70 ft AEG5 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Jogging around the same loop as the last 2 times starting at the Gilbert library head to the western Powerline route. It was warm when the sun broke through the clouds, carried water for the first time in awhile. Not as muddy beside the canal except a few areas.
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Navy31 Army13
 
Feb 23 2019
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 Guides 7
 Routes 187
 Photos 2,318
 Triplogs 909

74 male
 Joined Dec 10 2016
 Gold Canyon
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Feb 23 2019
DaytripperTriplogs 909
Run/Jog6.50 Miles 30 AEG
Run/Jog6.50 Miles   1 Hour   7 Mns   5.82 mph
30 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Had enough mud and wet feet yesterday. Parked at the Gilbert library, jog along Greenfield to Western Powerline to Powerline Access to San Tan Vista Trail ,aka Eastern Canal, all part of the SRP system. Made the mistake of stopping in AJ to take a few snow pictures, traffic was crazy!
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Navy31 Army13
 
Feb 08 2019
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 187
 Photos 2,318
 Triplogs 909

74 male
 Joined Dec 10 2016
 Gold Canyon
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch - GilbertPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Feb 08 2019
DaytripperTriplogs 909
Run/Jog6.10 Miles 50 AEG
Run/Jog6.10 Miles   1 Hour   5 Mns   5.63 mph
50 ft AEG5 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Started by the library crossed Greenfield road down the western power line trail to the power line access trail. This returned me to the eastern canal path which has new signage deeming it San tan vista trail,this is right beside the railroad tracks. Proceeded up the canal, along with the signage nice improved path between the canal and the concrete , perfect for running crushed gravel . This only extends to Warner road but the path was already good on each side of Elliott unless it’s rained recently. Saw the backs of lots of houses along with 24 horses and several chickens and ripe citrus fruit. Nice 50 degree temps today.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation None
and
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Navy31 Army13
 
average hiking speed 2.34 mph
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 9  Next

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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