Hikers Challenge Summer Heat
Lynn Warren
What do “B” hikers do on a hot, humid morning when the forecast high is 113 degrees? Well, on Aug. 3, they challenged the heat and their bodies by doing a 10-mile round trip hike from the Verrado golf course to the top of Caterpillar Hill. From PC, you can see part of the road leading up, but that just gets you to the beginning of the really steep section, which is visible from I-10 and appears to go straight up. Actually, it is a 23% grade for 0.7 mile, and when you are climbing this section, it seems like it will never end but eventually you rejoice at reaching level ground at the top. Normally, going down a steep road seems challenging, but on this hike, it felt almost relaxing after the strenuous climb to the top. Hiking is one activity which is healthy and relatively safe during COVID-19 and lends itself to social and physical distancing; visit the club’s website at www.pchikers.org for updates and pictures.
Hiker Hits Another Milestone
Lynn Warren
Marilyn Reynolds continues to hold the club record for miles-hiked by a woman, and just added another milestone by reaching 4,000 miles on July 15 on an early morning seven-mile hike in Buckeye’s Skyline park (west side of Verrado). Since there were two groups going on different hikes, everyone paused at the trailhead to celebrate Marilyn’s accomplishment, with customary orange juice and champagne toasts. Marilyn has been hiking with the club for over 10 years, and it took several years to get the first thousand miles, but the milestones have been coming more frequently since she became a year-round resident a few years ago. She would have even more miles but she has to share and balance her love of hiking with her passion for golf. Hiking provides a great opportunity to maintain and improve physical and mental health, particularly during the pandemic, and the club hikes in many interesting areas. Visit the club’s website at www.pchikers.org for more information and pictures.