Front row: Joyce Raidle, Kris Raczkiewicz, Mary Hill, Nadine Eder; Back row: Diana Bedwell, Jan Sherwood, Tom O’Reilly, Matt Schryver, Susan Bernt, Sandy Mednick, Clare Bangs, Laurie Rosenbloom (photo by Ruth Bindler)
Hikers Visit Tres Rios
Ruth Bindler
On a cool fall day, several PebbleCreek Hiking Club members visited Tres Rios. It is a favorite hiking area because it is close to PebbleCreek and has many ponds and a waterfall, contributing to the presence of trees such as cottonwoods and willows, bushes, reeds, and many birds. It is common to see Great White Egrets, Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, White Pelicans, and more; what a photographer’s delight! There are over 150 species of birds and animals living in the wetlands. Tres Rios Environmental Restoration Project includes 700 acres around the Salt, Gila, and Agua Fría Rivers. The city of Phoenix wastewater treatment plant pumps reclaimed water over the wetlands to restore the riparian habitat, and the water is then discharged back into the Salt River. Many fishers try their luck in the ponds of the wetlands. Hiking club members plan to volunteer in the Tres Rios cleanup in February, which is sponsored by the city of Avondale. Consider joining us at the cleanup or come on one of the many weekly hikes led by hikers from the club. Visit our website at pchikers.org to learn more about the club hikes and other activities.
Left to right: Jennifer Kwong, Stacey Miller, Mike Tansey, Jan Larson, and Lynn Warren (photographer) pausing for a photo after successfully hiking to the top of the “Big Jim” mountain in the background.
“B” Hikers Visit “Big Jim”
Lynn Warren
On Dec. 16, 2024, five “B” hikers headed to an area a little west of Lake Pleasant to hike a trail known as “Walking Jim,” named for Jim Stoltz, a long-distance hiker, adventurer, and wilderness activist who helped with the planning and design of several trails throughout the American Southwest, including this trail. The hikers completed Walking Jim, a large loop, and an additional side hike to the top of a prominent mountain known as “Big Jim,” for a total of 12.5 miles and an elevation gain of 2500 feet. Walking Jim was mostly rolling terrain but the climb to the top of Big Jim was steep and challenging, but the group completed the hike without incident and enjoyed great views of Hells Canyon Wilderness, Hieroglyphic Mountains, and Lake Pleasant from the summit. Why not join the club and experience areas such as this with a great group of people; visit the club website at pchikers.org for more information and photos.
Left to right: Nancy Love, Barb Kripps, Kris Raczkiewicz, Charlene Elijew, Coedy Haddon, Laurie Rosenbloom, Jo Hatfield, Sandy Mednick, Gary Baker, Mark Frumkin, Steve Duncanson, Alex Elijew, John and Diane Chrusciel, Laurel Laux, and Jack Stroud (photo by Dennis Zigmunt)
Hiking Out the Old Year
Lynn Warren
Dennis Zigmunt led a group of seventeen “D” hikers on Dec. 31, 2024, on the final hike of the year, to close out 2024 with a 4.5-mile hike combining portions of Mule Deer and Maricopa trails on the south edge of White Tank Mountains Regional Park, just a short drive from PebbleCreek. Come join the Hiking Club in 2025 and enjoy more of the Arizona out-of-doors; you can choose from 12 to 13 hikes each week at five ability levels.
Hikers pictured: Dina DiDonato, Kay Thomas, Laurel Laux, Jack Stroud, Kris Raczkiewicz, Stacey Miller, Charlene Elijew, Doug Bieker, Sandy Mednick, George Houle, Nadine Eder, Diana Houle, Kerry Walsh, Diane Chrusciel, Reggie Mamer, John Chrusciel, John DiDonato, Dennis Zigmunt, Art Solorio, and Jan Sherwood (photographer).
Hikers Celebrate Solstice Day
Jan Sherwood
On Dec. 21, the shortest day of 2024, 20 hikers went on a night hike in the nearby White Tank Regional Park to celebrate Solstice Day. As the sun set, hikers put on headlamps or carried flashlights to navigate the trail that we informally named the Cow Bell Trail. It’s a relatively flat trail from Ramada 4 to an actual cow bell hung in a tree. After the hike, about 1/2 of the hikers had dinner outdoors at The Corral, which is located right before you enter the park. Aside from not wearing cowboy boots or hats, we enjoyed the lively music and good food. If this sounds like fun, join the hikers in the new year. Read more information at PChikers.org.
Hiking In the New Year
Lynn Warren
New Year’s Day typically has the highest level of air pollution for the entire year in the Phoenix area and Jan. 1, 2025, was no exception, and this was quite evident to a group of 6 “B” hikers welcoming the new year with an early morning, head-clearing hike in nearby Estrella Foothills. Although the hike was only 7 miles, it was a loop which started at Elliot Road and included a climb up the west side of Blackjack, the highest point, for a total of 1000 feet of elevation gain. Once the group gained a little elevation, views across the valley reinforced the fact that pollution was quite heavy. Why not join the hiking club and you, too, can enjoy interesting and scenic outings like this with a great group of people; visit the club website at pchikers.org for more information and photos.