From left: Lynn Warren (photographer), Clare Bangs, Wayne McKinney, Bill Halte, Marilyn Reynolds, Eileen Lords-Mosse, Dave Ausman (“Ausy”), Dave Schuldt, Lyman Gallup, Randy Hellman, and Dennis Zigmunt practicing physical distancing while toasting Wayne and Dave’s accomplishments.
Hikers Celebrate Milestones
Lynn Warren
On an early morning hike in Buckeye’s Skyline park, Wayne and Dave celebrated reaching their significant milestones before beginning a seven-mile hike in this closed-in park. Since there were two groups going on different hikes, everyone paused at the trailhead to celebrate with customary orange juice and champagne toasts. Wayne has hiked with the club since 2016 and Dave since 2017; Wayne tends to hike mainly “C” hikes and a few “B” hikes, whereas Dave tends to hike mostly “C” and “D” hikes, but they have hiked together many times, and hit their milestones within a few weeks of each other; so it was appropriate for both to celebrate at the same time. 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.
Left to right: Kris Raczkiewicz, Dave Ausman (“Ausy”), Eileen Lords-Mosse, Marilyn Reynolds, and Lynn Warren (photographer) pausing for a photo after lunch at the top of Prescott’s Granite Mountain.
Hikers Visit Prescott’s Granite Mountain
Lynn Warren
After enduring many hot and frequently humid days of hiking around Phoenix, five “B” hikers ventured north to cooler conditions in Prescott on Sept. 2, and enjoyed an 8.5-mile roundtrip hike to the top of Granite Mountain; a prominent landmark just a few miles northwest of Prescott. The hike to the top was strenuous, but the hikers were rewarded with views of extensive and beautiful boulders and rock formations, as well as remnants of previous wildfires. The group enjoyed lunch near the top on flat, exposed rock ledges which provided not only a comfortable location for a break, but also impressive views. On the way down, “Ausy” demonstrated how one could relax on a large, smooth boulder which the hikers nicknamed the “divan.” 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.