Left to right: Julie Walmsley, Clare Bangs, Kris Raczkiewicz, Neal Wring, and Lynn Warren (photographer) relax on giant blocks of white quartz on the summit of Quartz Peak.
Lynn Warren
On Dec. 5, five “B” hikers hiked/scrambled to the top of 4,000-foot Quartz Peak and demonstrated some Christmas spirit while relaxing on the brilliant white quartz outcropping at the summit. This peak is in the middle of the Sierra Estrellas, which you see when driving on I-10 since the range lies just south of PebbleCreek. Quartz Peak is unique since the summit is a giant outcropping of quartz and the 10-mile drive in on a primitive desert road is almost as adventurous as the hike to the summit.
Although the trailhead is in a very remote area, surprisingly, there is a parking area with defined spots and a clean restroom. The three-mile hike to the peak was quite strenuous since it was a steady, part-trail, part-scramble, 2,500-foot climb, but the hikers were rewarded with an outstanding lunch spot with impressive views, including Rainbow Valley, Saddle Mountain, Phoenix, and South Mountain. The club hikes six days a week all around the valley, occasionally including an adventure hike such as Quartz, but offers hikes for almost every level of fitness. Visit the club website at pchikers.org for more information and photos.