Hikers Enjoy Views from Shiprock
Lynn Warren
If you travel Hwy. 93 toward Las Vegas, you pass through forests of Joshua Trees approximately 25 miles beyond Wickenburg and if you look west at the right time (MP 163), you may see the rock monolith known as Shiprock rising from the desert. On Dec. 19, six “B” hikers enjoyed a 6.5-mile hike through scenic desert terrain and capped off the hike with lunch at the base of Shiprock followed by a short but challenging climb to the top where they enjoyed expansive 360-degree views. On the return to the trailhead, the group decided to forego the jeep road and hike up several open washes which had a variety of animal tracks in the damp sand, one which looked suspiciously like a bear track—not something you normally see in this part of Arizona.
The club hikes extensively around the valley with occasional adventures such as this in interesting areas; visit the club’s website at pchikers.org for more information and pictures.
Hiker Celebrates 7,000 Miles
Lynn Warren
Clare Bangs has been hiking with the club since 2013 and finished 2019 by celebrating the achievement of 7,000 miles with a customary champagne toast. Clare, an Iowa native and former marathon runner, is just the fourth club member to hike this many miles and is unfazed by summer heat or winter cold, and is renowned for hiking year-round in shorts and t-shirt. Clare had to take a few weeks off in 2017 for a knee replacement and although he doesn’t know what the mileage rating is for an artificial knee, he has already put several thousand miles on the new one which speaks well for the success and durability of replacement knees. Had you read last May’s Post, you would have noted that Clare celebrated 6,000 miles, and likely next fall will bring 8,000.
The club hikes extensively around the valley with occasional overnight trips to other interesting areas; visit the club’s website at pchikers.org for more information and pictures.