L-R: Craig Rabe (photographer), Stacey Miller, Tom O’Reilly, Kris Raczkiewicz, Mary
Perlaki-Neely, Neal Wring, and Bill Halte at the beginning of the “Experts Only” trail in
the Estrellas.
Ditch the Bike, Take a Hike
Mary Perlaki-Neely
Ever wonder how to beat the desert heat while making new friends? On June 29, our PebbleCreek (PC) hiking club did exactly that! A fantastic group of seven laced up their boots early in the morning to conquer a C-level scenic 6.2-mile trek through the gorgeous Estrella Mountains. By starting before sunrise, we enjoyed the stunning Arizona landscape and headed back home well before the triple-digit temperatures peaked. The Estrellas offer an incredible network of paths, and for this adventure, we tackled an “Experts Only” shared trail. We navigated the intricate, exciting twists and turns of the mountain that is also frequented by local mountain bikers. It was a thrilling workout, but don’t let the “expert” label scare you off! While our club absolutely loves a good adventure, the safety of our members is always our absolute number one priority. During these hot summer months, we intentionally keep our hikes shorter and closer to PC so everyone stays safe, hydrated, and smiling.
Ready to step outside, get active, and explore? Dust off those hiking shoes and visit pchikers.org today to find our next meetup. Your next great adventure is just a footprint away!
Pictured are Lisa Ware, Deb Campbell, Barb Kripps, Michon Dowling, Dana Thomas, Kay
Thomas, and Neal Wring. (Photo by Kris Raczkiewicz)
5,000 Miles for Kay Thomas!
Hiking in the nearby Fantasy Island North Singletrack trail system at Estrella Mountain Ranch can be an adventure. Our group celebrated a 5,000-mile achievement at the “Tiki Bar” as well as hiking through the “Boneyard” and an “Enchanted Forest.” Join us for club hikes to explore many interesting trails like these. Information can be found at pchikers.org and we are active year-round.
L-R: Lynn Warren (photographer), Rob Gold, Joyce Raidle, Stacey Miller, and Craig Rabe
pausing in Prescott’s Granite Dells with beautiful Watson Lake in the background.
Hiking in the Granite Dells
Lynn Warren
When summer heat hits the valley, hikers occasionally head north to cooler climes. In early June, five “B” hikers did just that and spent two days hiking in Prescott where the temperature is usually 10-15 degrees cooler. On June 8, the hikers enjoyed a scenic 7-mile loop through the Granite Dells and around Watson Lake, following routes marked by paint spots created by a group known as the Over the Hill Gang. Hiking through the boulders and rock formations is very scenic but the experience is greatly enhanced with views of blue Watson Lake in the background. The club offers hikes at different levels, even during the summer, and occasionally ventures outside the valley; visit pchikers.org for more information and photos.
L-R: Tom O’Reilly, Kris Raczkiewicz, Mike Tansey, Rowena Stephenson, Stacey Miller,
Neal Wring, and Lynn Warren (photographer) pausing after a snack break in this wash
along Skyline’s Granite Falls trail.
Enjoying a 4th of July Hike
Lynn Warren
Seven “B” hikers turned out on July 4 for a 5.6-mile hike in Buckeye’s Skyline Park. The temperature at the beginning of the hike was flirting with 90 degrees but fortunately there was a bit of overcast which made conditions somewhat easier for the hikers. Local summer hikes tend to be shorter and easier and this hike was no exception, with only 600 feet of elevation gain; it was early start and early finish with the hikers returning to Eagle’s Nest before 9 a.m. Why not join the club and experience great exercise such as this with a fun group of people; visit the club website at pchikers.org for more information and photos.