Left to right: Lynn Warren (photographer), Eileen Lords-Mosse, Neal Wring, Clare Bangs, Dave Ausman (Ausy), and Len Jeffery (London) posing with Michelin Man II along the Desperado Trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Hikers visit Michelin Man II
Lynn Warren
One relatively rare type of crested saguaro is known as a jointed or segmented saguaro. On Oct 3, six PebbleCreek “B” hikers enjoyed a relatively flat 11.7-mile hike in the 136th St. section of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The hike consisted of a combination of trails that provided close-up views of impressive saguaros and rock formations, but the highlight of the hike was a stop for a group photo with the unusual segmented saguaro affectionately known as Michelin Man II (a similar but less-healthy specimen has been visited many times in the Cave Creek Regional Park).
The club enjoys fun and sometimes adventurous hikes all around the valley and even challenges the summer heat to explore new trails for the next season. Visit the club’s website at pchikers.org for more information and pictures.
Hikers on this hike included (left-right): Jim Gillespie, Dennis Zigmunt, Dave Schuldt, Barbara Kripps, Linda Vaughn, Wayne Wills, and Randy Hellman. Photo by Kay Thomas.
Hikers end the season at Estrella Foothills Park
Pete Williams
On Sept. 12, eight hikers from the PebbleCreek Hiking Club enjoyed an end-of-season hike in nearby Estrella Foothills Park. This is primarily a desert biking park, and the bicyclists include humorous signs (this trail is called Surf’s Up) and items (such as the surfboard in the background). The club started its new hiking season (2019-20) on Sept. 23. For more information about the club, visit pchikers.org.
Left to right: Len Jeffery (London), Dennis Zigmunt, Dave Schuldt, Wayne McKinney, Barb Schaepe, Roger Sanders, Marilyn Reynolds, Lynn Warren (photographer), Pete Williams, and Wayne Wills pausing for a fun photo in nearby Estrella Mountain Regional Park.
Hikers talk like a pirate
Lynn Warren
Hikers go on interesting hikes all around the valley, but they also enjoy simply having fun. On Sept. 18, ten landlubber hikers decided to have a little fun and celebrate National Talk Like a Pirate Day (who knew there was such a day) and took advantage of the eye patches provided by Dave (we’re not sure how Wayne could hike on a rocky trail with patches on both eyes). You, too, can experience “fun hikes” with the club and enjoy the scenery and terrain a person might not experience as a solo hiker. Visit the club’s website at pchikers.org for more information and pictures.
Enjoying the hike were, (kneeling in front, left to right): “London,” Laurie, and Eileen. Standing: Rene, Jim, Dave, Pete, Wayne, Marilyn (hike leader), Barb, Wayne, Leon, Linda, Sandy, Dennis, Charlene, Pam, Linda, and Lynn (photographer), Alex missed the photo shoot.
Fall season hiking begins
Pete Williams
Twenty hikers from the PebbleCreek Hiking Club kicked off the new hiking season on Saturday, Sept. 28 with a hike in the Estrella Mountain Regional Park. It was a great day to hike as it was cooler than normal September day. The club does ten hikes a week covering six days (Monday through Saturday) at three hike levels (4 to 5 miles, 6 to 8 miles, and more than 9 miles). Check out our website at pchikers.org for more photos and club information.