Left to right: Tom Wellman, Clare Bangs, Pete Williams (hike leader), Jim Gillespie, Betty Garner, Wayne Wills, Ann Rohlman, Lynn Warren (photographer), Joe Clarkson and Steve Duncanson pausing for a photo op with a rare double crested saguaro just off the Granite Mountain loop trail.
Lynn Warren
On April 29, ten PebbleCreek hikers enjoyed an easy but very rewarding nine-mile hike on the relatively flat terrain of the Granite Mountain loop trail in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The trail offers an excellent opportunity to see outstanding specimens of large, healthy saguaros and, by walking just a short distance off the main trail, the group was able to see an interesting crested saguaro. Scientists estimate that there may be as many as 75 million saguaros but as few as 700 crested saguaros. A double crested saguaro is even more unusual and the hikers were able to get an up-close and personal view of this interesting feature of the Sonoran Desert and pose for a group photo. The hikers also enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Cathedral Rock and stopped for a short break beside giant Balanced Rock before returning to the Granite Mountain trailhead to complete the loop. Cowboys who worked on the historic Brown’s Ranch probably never realized how fortunate they were to work in such a beautiful location. The club hikes five days a week during the regular season (September through April) and explores new trails, with an occasional adventure, during the summer; visit the club website at PCHIKERS.ORG for more information and photos.