Back row: Mary Hill and Tom Wellman; Third row: Diana Bedwell, Kerry Walsh, Doug Bieker, and Joyce Raidle; Second row: Kay Thomas, Pam Marshall, Sandy Mednick, Barb Kripps, Nancy Love, and Rob Gold; Kneeling: Ron Hoffman and Nadine Eder; Photographer: Dana Thomas
Picturesque Prescott Hike
Jan Sherwood
In November, a group of PebbleCreek Hikers went to Prescott on an overnight trip. Doing an overnight trip eliminates the daily long drive and enables hikers to do more relaxing back-to-back hikes. The area is a favorite, especially in the fall when the leaves turn golden with cooler temperatures. It is an area of interesting rounded granite boulders, lakes, and different species of trees than we find in our desert valley. Along the trail there were Ponderosa Pine, Alligator Juniper, Oak, and Manzanita bushes. Tom Wellman has organized these overnight adventures for the club over the years, usually one in the fall and another in the spring. Here the hikers take a rest on the Little Granite Mountain Loop Trail that winds through both forest and the large granite boulders. The club offers hikes six days a week at five levels. Join us for a short stroll or a longer trek. More information is at pchikers.org.
Black Canyon Trail Hike
Jan Sherwood
As you’ve driven along I-17 north of Phoenix, you may have seen a path paralleling the highway. This is the 80-mile long Black Canyon Trail, a National Recreation Trail. Native Americans and traders have used this route since prehistoric times. The long range trail goes through thick saguaro forests and with our early fall rains, it’s green and lush. There are numerous segments, here the PebbleCreek Hikers stop along the K-mine Segment. Hikers are: Dave Schuldt, Nadine Eder, Jan Whitfield, Kay Thomas, Tom Wick, Barb Kripps, Dennis Zigmunt, and Jan Sherwood (photographer). If you enjoy walking, consider joining us on one of the weekly hikes. We offer five levels. Find more information at pchikers.org.
Left to right: Lynn Warren (photographer), Stacey Miller, Kris Raczkiewicz, Tom O’Reilly, Ed Kim, Rowena Stephenson, and Clare Bangs pausing at the White Tanks windmill oasis to celebrate Tom’s milestone.
Hikers Enjoy Holiday Hike
Lynn Warren
On a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning in November, seven “B” hikers completed a relatively easy 9-mile loop in White Tank Mountains Regional Park, combining Mule Deer, Mesquite, and Ford Canyon trails. The hike also included a stop at the windmill oasis so that the group could celebrate another milestone for Tom O’Reilly and, since it was the holiday season, the hikers were dressed appropriately. Since Tom loves pickleball, it took him more than two seasons to reach 1,000 miles last November but then took only another year to reach 2,000 miles. Coincidentally, Tom reached this milestone on the same trails as the one in 2024. Although that is a windmill in the background, maybe it reminded Tom, a retired commercial pilot, of a large propeller. Why not join the club and pursue your own milestones with a great group of people; visit the club website at pchikers.org for more information and photos.
Left to right: Lynn Warren (photographer), Mike Tansey, Jan Larson, Kris Raczkiewicz, Tom O’Reilly, Nadine Eder, Doug Bieker, Ron Hoffman, and Stacey Miller pausing on a somewhat level ridge on the descent at Picacho Peak.
Hikers Avoid Rain at Picacho Peak
Lynn Warren
If you have driven south on I-10 you have probably noticed an imposing, odd-shaped peak on the west side about 45 miles north of Tucson at the exit for Picacho Peak State Park, site of the westernmost battle of the Civil War; the sheer rock mountain is Picacho Peak, a club favorite which is perhaps more of a climb and scramble than a hike. November 19 was a rainy day in Phoenix but nine hikers trusted the forecast and headed south; Picacho was rain-free for the duration of the hike, with only a few sprinkles as the hikers returned to their cars. Trusting the forecast, the hikers tackled the short, steep climb to the summit, aided by cables in several particularly challenging areas. Although short in distance, this hike was very challenging and was somewhat unique since the trip down was almost as challenging as the climb up.
The club enjoys interesting hikes all around the valley and occasionally travels farther for adventures such as this; visit the club’s website at pchikers.org for more information and pictures.