Enjoying New Sights on Out-of-Area Hikes
At the top of a climb in Madera Canyon are (front row) Wayne Wills, Kerry Walsh, Ruth Bindler, Diana Bedwell, (back row) Mary Hill, Ron Hoffman, Jan Larsen, Doug Bieker, Nancy Love, Dana Thomas, and Stacey Miller. (Photo by Doug Bieker)
The PebbleCreek Hiking Club sponsors hikes six days/week. In addition, the club usually arranges some out-of-area hikes each year. On an April trip, three different groups of hikers traveled to Green Valley, south of Tucson. On day one two groups hiked in Saguaro National Park and one group explored the Brown Mountain loop. The hikers spent the second day in Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains. With a starting elevation of 5,000 feet, hikers are challenged as they climb the trails but are rewarded since animals and birds frequent the area to enjoy the cool temperatures and trees. Hikers were fortunate to see two rare sightings—a ridge-nosed rattlesnake and a yellow-eyed junco.
A third day of hiking was spent in Sabino Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains. There are two trams that carry visitors to higher levels where hikes can begin. This beautiful canyon offers an abundance of water, which creates the need for hikers to be comfortable with some water crossings!
If all of this sounds enticing, visit pchikers.org to view photos and learn about how to join this active group.
“B” Hikers Enjoy Scenic Loop in Estrella Foothills and EMRP
Left to right: Doug Bieker, Clare Bangs, Jan Larson, Stacey Miller, Terrence Huang (guest), Kris Raczkiewicz, Dana Thomas, Neal Wring, Ron Hoffman, and Lynn Warren (photographer) pausing after lunch at this impressive quartz outcropping along the Pedersen trail in EMRP.
Lynn Warren
Estrella Foothills (EF) and Estrella Mountain Regional Park (EMRP) are conveniently located just south of the Gila River and provide a variety of trails that can be combined in many ways depending on the distance and elevation gain desired. On April 15, 10 “B” hikers enjoyed a 9-mile loop that started at the EF High School and continued on the Crossover trail into EMRP, with a pause on the return at an impressive quartz outcropping along the Pedersen trail for a lunch break and obligatory group photo. This year, because of moderate temperatures and rain received, the mountains were unusually green and colorful poppies and brittlebush were still enhancing the scenery. If you are interested in hiking and experiencing impressive Arizona scenery, the club offers four levels of hikes, six days a week during the regular season, and more limited, close-in hikes during the summer. Visit pchikers.org for more information and photos.
Atsuko Arner Reaches Hiking Milestone
Kneeling: Pam Marshall, Carol Rice; First row: Laurie Rosenbloom, Charlene Elijew, Atsuko Arner, Art Arner, Linda Schmillen; Second row: Nancy Love, Dennis Zigmunt, Diana Bedwell, Sandy Mednick, Nadine Eder; Third row: Rowena Stephenson, Jo Klippert, Barb Kripps, Ann Rohlman, Beverly Kim, Edward Kim; Back row: Ron Hoffman, Alex Elijew, Ken Moorefield, Tom Wellman, Wayne Wills, Mark Gruca; Photographer: Ron Hoffman
Atsuko Arner completed her 2,000th mile with the PebbleCreek Hiking Club in Estrella Mountain Regional Park, and celebrated the event with many of her hiking friends. The backdrop of green desert with wildflowers was a lovely setting for the occasion. Atsuko and her husband, Art, hike in Arizona during winter months and near their Seattle area home during the summer. They were both among the recently honored “octogenarians” (80 years and over) who belong to and hike with the club.
Atsuko has had interesting life experiences. She worked as a nurse in Japan and then as an airline flight attendant in the United States before meeting Art and establishing their family. Atsuko is very positive, encouraging other hikers, joking along the way, and sharing her upbeat outlook. Come join Atsuko and other hikers to be inspired by experiences on the trails! Visit the PebbleCreek Hiking Club website at pchikers.com. A variety of hikes with various distances and elevation are led each week by club members.