Our Guides

Laurel Darren, a.k.a. “Ol’ Sparkly Eyes,” lives in a world filled with colorful, shimmering glitter, eccentric knee socks, and fun costumes. A high-energy force field around her has created many safe, fun, and amazing hiking and mountain biking experiences as the founding owner and operator of one of the best adventure travel tour companies in the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona.

Arriving in the legendary “Valley of the Sun” in 2012 — from the home of John Deere in the Quad Cities of Eastern Iowa/Western Illinois — this corn-fed Midwest girl brought 30 years of athletic chops under her chaps. A 3-sport high school standout and former college softball player – who won her conference’s Athlete of the Year award as a prep — “Ol’ Sparkly Eyes” has graduated to competing in many races as an adult, from road running to road cycling, cyclo-cross to Mountain Bikes, and even Duathlon and Triathlon “Ironman” competitions. In 2017, Laurel completed a R2R2R Grand Canyon with a pal in 22 hours.

Her other racing accomplishments include:

• 30 marathon finishes, including the 2009 Boston Marathon, and 5 Ultra trail run finishes;
• Ironman Louisville finisher in 2009, Leadville 100 Mountain Bike race buckle finisher in 2016;
• Current record holder Single Speed 104 Barn Burner (2016);
• Several other podium finishes in Single Speed mountain bike category and geared category;
• 6 years of crewing Race Across America (RAAM) with 2016 crew for a SOLO champion;
• 2-time Bisbee 1000 Great Stair Climb finisher.

When not spreading glitter on the hiking and mountain biking trails or insisting guests hug a cactus for a photo, Laurel loves to ride her mountain bike with different groups, especially the single speeders. Another favorite is hiking with her Plott hounds, Daisy Mae, and Waylon. “Ol’ Sparkly Eyes” also is involved with many local mountain biking groups including DFMBA and AZ Gravel Rides.

Laurel’s experience as a senior mountain bike guide for four years at Arizona Outback Adventures presented her with opportunities on her journey to create relationships as well as perfect a skill set that includes attention to safety and knowledge of proper trail etiquette. “Ol’ Sparkly Eyes” was known for the most positive Tripadvisor reviews and was THE MOST REQUESTED GUIDE for private day tours.

Upon leaving AOA, the super-fun certified guide went into business herself, founding one of the best adventure tour companies in Phoenix and Scottsdale in Arizona. At Wild Bunch Desert Guides, Laurel gets to live a daily dream of helping provide the adventure of a lifetime for each guest.

Bob King is a true explorer at heart, dedicated to opening the door to new experiences for his guests. With a wealth of experience in the travel and hospitality industry, he has journeyed through 44 states and 42 countries.  After living abroad, he has called Scottsdale home for the past 15 years.

Bob’s adventures have taken him to breathtaking locations like Moab, Sedona, Big Sur, British Columbia, and Western Europe. However, his greatest passion lies in introducing others to God’s handiwork in the Sonoran Desert. As a natural teacher, he enthusiastically shares his extensive knowledge of the desert’s wonders, bringing joy and adventure to hikers and bikers of all ages.

When he’s not leading guided tours with Wild Bunch or exploring trails with his wife Patti, family, and friends, Bob teaches finance at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. Lopes Up!

In Mary Poppins’ words, “These are a few of my favorite things:” Getting dirty. Touching the earth. Reconnecting to my true self by being outdoors, either on foot or by pedal power. Then hopping into the shower watching all that dirt run down the drain.

I love turning people on to the Sonoran Desert. Living here is like living in a Dr. Seuss book. I mean, where else do you have the iconic Saguaro cactus and trees with green trunks? Not to mention some real “Wild West” history.

I look forward to showing you around this fascinating place. And hopefully afterwards, you’ll enjoy the dirt running down the drain as much as I do!

Don has enjoyed a wide and varied background and work career but continues to include athletics as a way to stay fit and healthy. His first college degree came in Biology/Chemistry, and upon graduation, began working for a pharmaceutical company – the perfect job for a college graduate, working for a drug company, he jokes looking back.

After 20 years in corporate America, Don opened his first company, a consulting firm with clients in industries as varied as Aerospace, Automotive, Computer Manufacturing, Food, Pharmaceuticals, Government and Military Agencies.

Among the other highlights on our ageless tour guide’s long resume, Don has been a professional Magician and a professional Musician, performing at the 1972 Inaugural Ball and still owning a home recording studio.

Unlike Don’s frequently changing career direction, family has been a constant in the life of one of the most veteran of adventure tour operators in the Sonoran Desert of Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. Don has been married for 47 years to his wife Debbie, and together they share two sons and five grandchildren. Don also is an avid Disney fan – make sure to ask to see his wedding ring – having enjoyed countless trips to Disneyland.

When not out on the trails, Don spends time at Arrowhead Cadillac helping customers into their dream luxury car. Having tried retirement twice already — apparently neither attempt “took,” he jokes — Don loves to spend time exploring the desert trails and sharing his love of the outdoors with others. Don especially enjoys teaching his guests with Wild Bunch Desert Guides everything he knows about the history, geography, flora, and fauna of the Sonoran Desert.

Ellen is an amazing Mountain Biker and hiker with a huge love of the outdoors.

A retired Firefighter, Ellen brings all kinds of fun and enthusiasm to each tour. Her advanced medical and safety training also delivers plenty of peace of mind for her guests with Wild Bunch Desert Guides.

When not out hiking or Mountain Biking with guests, you can find Ellen on an adventure or taking care of people at Local Jonny’s in Cave Creek.

Ellen is one of the most gifted adventure tour operators in The Valley, so we here at Wild Bunch Desert Guides consider ourselves lucky to have her on the crew! Many of our guests certainly agree!

“We climbed Camelback with Ellen! She was outstanding! She was waiting for us just as she stated and had everything we needed for our trip. She explained everything along the way and gave us all the encouragement we needed for our first climb. Truly an outstanding experience!” – Michael, Kearney, Neb., on Tripadvisor, Jan. 2018

“Loved it so much, I booked a hike for the next day with another guide, Ellen, who guided me through Cave Creek. She was excellent! Would highly recommend this service to anyone, no matter what your level of experience is.” – Sharpie, Madison, Wis., on Tripadvisor, March 2017

“Laurel, Ellen and Tommy didn’t just guide us, they hiked with us, and after four hours we felt as if we had made new and wonderful friends. They were also attentive to others on the trail, checking in with hikers who looked like they might need assistance and offering guidance to a mountain biker who had gone astray. These hikes were the highlight of our trip and truly I can’t say enough about the experience. Pricing is more than reasonable and frankly the opportunity to spend time with these experienced guides — Priceless!” – Katherine, Chicago, Ill., on Tripadvisor, May 2017

Joe has lived in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area all his life (except a 6 month jaunt in Honolulu). Joe is an ASU Sun Devil, a former triathlete and marathon runner. He loves Arizona because of the weather & outdoors because you can camp, backpack and of course hike. The Phoenix & Scottsdale mountain preserves have the most beautiful plant life, native cactus, best sunsets, cool reptiles, rock & mountain formations that you won’t see anywhere else in the Southwest. Joe loves that the hiking trails are just a few minutes from anywhere you stay or live in the Valley of the Sun and there is always something new to explore. He and his wife Maddie have one son and 2 daughters. They have taken them on many scouting, hiking and camping adventures.  They are all avid hikers and backpackers and still enjoy family hikes here during holidays and when we travel with them.

As a former advertising agency rep/media salesperson, Joe lived like Mad Men during the week and looked forward to hiking to decompress on the weekends.

Havasupai Canyon within the Grand Canyon was an annual post-college trip, long before it became an Instagram destination.  Joe hiked the North to South rim of the Grand Canyon in one day (not recommended!).  Joe has hiked Mt. Baldy in Eastern Arizona, Wheeler Peak (highest peak in New Mexico, 13,167), backpacked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, hiked portions of the Appalachian trail, but mostly he loves the Sonoran Desert.
Other fun facts:  Joe likes the warmth (below 110 degrees); he’s not a snake lover; never been bitten by a scorpion (rare for a native Arizonian!);  Joe loves Mexican cuisine and can offer many eating, dining and brewery options!

John Dzurka is an energetic and resourceful tour guide with a passion for exploring the outdoors. John has several years of experience guiding guests on trips throughout America’s Southwest and various locations around the world. The rugged Sonoran Desert is one of John’s favorite areas to guide as it enables his guests to experience the true landscapes of Arizona.

Originally from Canada, John and his wife Wendy have called Arizona home for the past 18 years.

Matt Kalina grew up long-distance running, canoeing, and eating cheese in West Central Wisconsin before pulling up stakes and moving to the dry heat of Arizona in 1999. He has stayed upright and, on his feet, — for the most part — while expanding interests to include hiking, trail running, mountaineering, technical canyoneering and everything else in between, from multi-day backpacking and pack rafting to Ultra running. While doing all this, the most skilled of the Wild Bunch Desert Guides has explored the Western wild lands, taking photos along the way.

Matt is a professional Arizona adventure guide for a wide range of active-sports disciplines, including hiking, backpacking, climbing, canyoneering, rappelling, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and mountain biking. He and his wife Lisa raise rescued cats, make pizza from scratch every week, run on the Green Belt Path and ride their beach cruiser bicycles around Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona. They surf when they can, run marathons together across the country and are restoring a vintage 1960s 14-foot camping trailer. They are huge fans of all kinds of live music.

Matt holds outdoor certifications including PADI Open Water Diver, Basic Sailing and Wilderness First Responder. He is an avid wilderness conservationist, member of Arizona Mountaineering Club, steward with McDowell Sonoran Conservancy and founding board member of Friends of the Sonoran Desert National Monument.

By day, this Superman of adventure tour operators works as marketing communications manager for Tomcar All-Terrain Vehicles, which are manufactured in Phoenix, as well as the account director for a strategic marketing agency.

Matt was a reporter and editor of a daily newspaper in Wisconsin and a journalist specializing in economic change during his travels in Eastern Europe. Matt is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Communications Arts Department and former chairman of the City of Scottsdale Neighborhood Enhancement Commission. His most vivid outdoor experience? Fording a glacial river in Alaska’s Denali National Park. Matt’s all-time backcountry fear is being faced with an empty bottle of hot sauce.

Mike Koser is an Arizona transplant who grew up in Illinois and made his way to the Valley of the Sun in 1988 from Georgia. He is a proud Georgia Bulldog  graduate and cheers on most everything “Dawgs” when he has time.

After enough “choking” humidity, Mike gravitated to the wild west to explore a new world. Mike has great knowledge of all the local mountain ranges and trails and has conquered many of the most challenging peaks Arizona has to offer (including Rim-to-Rim at the Grand Canyon, Picacho Peak and Mount Humphrey’s in Flagstaff). Mike loves to share unique stories about the Arizona landscape and wildlife. Ask him about the local microbrews as well and he can provide suggestions for a great Double IPA!

When Mike is not out on the trail, he can be found on the golf course, exploring the independent music scene in the valley and enjoying time with his beautiful wife Debbie, family, friends and his rescue dog “Maxie”. As a recent retiree, Mike also spends time volunteering at the Phoenix Herpetoligical Sanctuary and Shea Banner Hospital.

Shawn Bolduc was born in Duluth Minnesota. His family moved to the North Phoenix area when he was 2 years old. He has been here over 50 years and loves anything outdoors, even in the summer. He grew up about 10 miles southwest of the McDowell Preserve and rode motorcycles, hunted, hung out and made tons of memories in the area he gets to show off to our guests now.

One of the many reasons he loves Arizona is of all of the different climates and terrains. You can be at the beach in Puerto Penasco, Mexico in 4 hours, San Diego, California in 5 hours, snow skiing in Flagstaff in 2.5 hours, wake boarding or fishing at either Barlett Lake or Lake Pleasant in an hour. He said you will never run out of things to do all year round. He’s been all around the world and many great experiences but this is home.

I’m a recent retiree who loves the outdoors and am happiest when I’m mountain biking or hiking. As a Wild Bunch Desert Guide, I’m so fortunate to be able to meet new people and share my love of the beautiful Sonoran Desert that surrounds the valley of the Sun.

I’ve been riding and hiking here for over 20 years and there’s always something new and exciting happening in the desert!

In the past I’ve raced road bikes, triathlons, mountain bike stage races both locally and internationally as well as endurance running events so I have spent a lot of time on our trails here.

Come and join us for a tour; you won’t regret it!!!