Left to right: Lynn Warren (photographer), Bill Halte, Eileen Lords-Mosse, Clare Bangs, Neal Wring, and Tom O’Reilly pausing for a photo under clearing skies at the saddle on Skyline’s Turnbuckle Trail.
“B” Hikers Enjoy a “Peakless” Loop
Lynn Warren
On April 14, six “B” hikers enjoyed a scenic 10-mile loop hike in Buckeye’s Skyline Park, just north of I-10 at the end of Watson Road. Conditions were somewhat overcast which was more comfortable for hiking since the hike, although a peakless perimeter hike, required a lot of climbing with a vertical gain of over 2,000 feet; a side benefit was that the overcast also created great lighting for photography. Because of the climbing involved, it took the group approximately 4.5 hours to complete the loop, but this included time for a few hydration stops and a short snack break. Why not join the Hiking Club and enjoy more of the impressive Arizona out-of-doors with a great group; check the club website at pchikers.org for more information and photos.
Left to right: Leon Mosse, Tom O’Reilly, Clare Bangs, Vicki Carter, Doug Bieker, Eileen Lords-Mosse, Kerry Walsh, Lynn Warren (photographer), Mike Tansey, Jennifer Kwong, Kris Raczkiewicz (and Luna), Jan Larson, Neal Wring, and Stacey Miller pausing on the climb up Sedona’s Hangover Trail to celebrate Lynn’s milestone (Wilson Mountain in the background).
“B” Hiker Hits Another Milestone
When Lynn Warren started hiking with the club in 2011, his primary objective was to experience the Arizona out-of-doors and have the opportunity to visit many iconic landmarks that he had seen in western movies while growing up in the South; not much attention was paid to the number of miles hiked. Little did he realize that he would still be hiking 14 years later; over the years, the miles kept accumulating and after roughly 10 years, all of a sudden he was the club leader in miles hiked, an honor he has continued to hold. On a recent April club trip to Sedona, Lynn recorded another significant milestone of 18,000 miles with a great group of hiking friends as they completed four days and 33 miles of great hiking, finishing with chamber-of-commerce, blue sky conditions on the very scenic Hangover-Cow Pies loop. 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.
Photo by Dana Thomas
PebbleCreek Hiking Club and Animal Safety
Ruth Bindler
Spring brings abundant wildlife to the Sonoran desert. Rattlesnakes appear and wise hikers keep their distance if they hear the characteristic rattle. Birds ranging from hummingbirds to bald eagles and turkey vultures may be seen. Deer, chuckwalla, desert tortoise, and javelina can be sighted.
The PebbleCreek Hiking Club travels the trails in Lake Pleasant Regional Park, enjoying the views of water and frequent appearance of burros. The Bureau of Land Management manages the burro program by maintaining a healthy number of burros, using fertility control treatments, selling excess burros to animal refuges, and offering burros to private citizens for adoption.
Any wildlife should not be approached in national parks, state parks, or other locations—for petting, for feeding, for photographs. The Lake Pleasant rangers urge visitors to avoid these activities even when a burro may sometimes get too close to individuals. This recently occurred during a hike; the photo shows hikers moving on past and ignoring a burro that has approached them. One should not pet the friendly burros or feed them; they have learned that humans have food which can be a dangerous situation. It is best to simply walk by and keep a healthy distance; lingering near a burro that has approached will only encourage their behavior. When they are close to humans, burros may choose to kick, head butt or otherwise injure people.
Visit pchikers.org for information on the PebbleCreek Hiking Club activities.