Front, left to right: Gary Bray, Clare Bangs, Julie Walmsley, Donna Gillen, Ed Kim and Lynn Warren (photographer); back: Mark Gruca, Jeff Gillen and Vicki Carter with the volcanic summit of Elephant Mountain in the background.
Lynn Warren
Frequently, the hikers on a Friday B hike can travel in a single car, but on February 2, nine hikers turned out and headed north to Spur Cross Ranch just north of Cave Creek and part of the Maricopa County Parks system. The morning began with a spectacular sunrise and the hikers enjoyed a pleasant, sunny day hiking the rugged Elephant Mountain loop, including a challenging side hike up a steep slope with loose material to the base of the rugged volcanic rock formations at the summit. After returning to the main trail, the hikers picked a comfortable rock and enjoyed lunch in the saddle between Elephant Mountain and Elephant Mountain Fortress (aka Indian Fortress), an off-limits archeological area which contains ruins from an ancient civilization, most likely Hohokam. The club conducts interesting hikes five days a week for almost every level of fitness; meetings are held in the Tuscany Ballroom on the third Thursday of the month. Visit the club’s website at pchikers.org for more information and pictures.
Front, left to right: Dennis Zigmunt, Nancy Love, Helen Lewandowski, Jan Sherwood; Middle: Joe Clarkson, Ron Hoffman, Ruth and Julian Bindler, Art Arner, Lynn Warren (photographer); Back: Pete Williams, Herb Hodes, Atsuko Arner and Mark Frumkin pausing beside a calm but deep section of the Agua Fria River in Black Canyon (not pictured, Bill Halte and Clare Bangs)
Lynn Warren
On a cool, overcast February 6, sixteen hikers traveled north on I-17 to the exit for Rock Springs Café and parked in the gravel parking lot which provides access to the Skyline segment of the Black Canyon Trail. The group followed the trail downhill to the horseshoe bend in the Agua Fria River where the trail crosses the river. Because of recent rain, the hikers were surprised to find that the river, normally easily crossed by simple rock hopping, was a formidable, fast flowing body of water and crossing the waist-deep stream was out of the question. Although unable to follow the planned hike route, the group quickly adapted to the situation and explored and enjoyed alternate trails on the east side of the river. The club hikes five days a week all around the valley and offers interesting hikes for almost every fitness level; the next meeting is March 16. Visit the club website at pchikers.org for more information and photos.