Left to right: Lynn Warren (photographer), Eileen Lords-Mosse, Leon Mosse, Clare Bangs, Mike Tansey, Kris Raczkiewicz, Laurie Malatesta, Stacey Miller, Rowena Stephenson, and Steve McElroy pausing for a photo after a short snack break along the Butterfield trail (named for the iconic 1800’s stage line).
“B” Hikers Enjoy Saturday Hike
Lynn Warren
On Feb. 1, 10 “B” hikers completed a 12-mile scenic loop in Estrella Mountain Regional Park just south of I-10. The trailhead for the hike is located near Phoenix Raceway and the loop combined trails Desert Rose, Gadsden, and Butterfield. Although Saturday hikes normally are easier hikes, this one was relatively long and required 1,100 feet of elevation gain, but the weather was great and everyone enjoyed the outing. Why not join the Hiking Club and enjoy more of the Arizona out-of-doors with a great group. You can choose from 12 to 13 hikes each week at five ability levels; check the club website at pchikers.org for more information and photos.
Special Event in Queen Creek
Ruth Bindler
In addition to the dozen weekly hiking events of various lengths and locations that the PebbleCreek Hiking Club sponsors, the club arranges some special events. These events include urban hikes, hikes focused on food or drink, and hikes in unusual places. A recent special event featured a hike in San Tan Mountain Regional Park in Queen Creek, a part of the Maricopa County Park System. After the hike we traveled to the Queen Creek Botanical Garden for a docent-led tour. The gardens feature 10 acres of native and edible plants, and include English gardens, grassy meadows, Japanese terraced gardens, and an authentic water wheel. Large pecan groves once inhabited the area, and a number of pecan trees are seen in the garden and surrounding region. After enjoying the tour, hikers refueled at the Caldwell Country BBQ.
Visit our website at pchikers.org or come to the monthly meeting on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. to learn more about the club’s extensive hike offerings and special events.
Left to right: Kris Raczkiewicz, Tom O’Reilly, Jan Larson, Neal Wring, Jennifer Kwong, Thom Zempke, Nancy Love, Stacey Miller, Clare Bangs, and Lynn Warren (photographer) pausing early in a hike to celebrate Kris’ milestone before climbing impressive Shiprock, seen in the background.
Hiker Hits Major Milestone
Lynn Warren
Little did Kris realize that in transitioning from a mostly indoor job running a credit union in Iowa to living in PebbleCreek with husband Henry that she would discover a new passion—hiking. Kris has become a Hiking Machine, setting hiking club records as Rookie of the Year in her initial season to become the first and only woman to reach the lofty milestone of 10,000 miles in just five years. On Jan. 15, Kris and nine fellow “B” hikers travelled about 25 miles north of Wickenburg on Hwy. 93 to celebrate her significant achievement by hiking around and scaling an impressive rock monolith known as Shiprock (you may have seen this landmark from the highway as you were driving toward Las Vegas). Shiprock has intimidating vertical rock faces but it can be climbed from the back side and has been a club favorite for many years, although there are a couple of areas which are always a challenge and can’t be taken for granted. Why not join the hiking club and you, too, can pursue milestones of your own on scenic outings like this with a great group of people, including Kris, our “Trail Ambassador.” Visit the club website at pchikers.org for more information and photos.
Challenge Hike at Lost Dutchman State Park
Jan Sherwood
The PebbleCreek Hiking Club usually hikes nearby trails, but we also hike farther. On this hike we traveled to Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction to do a Challenge Hike. So, what is a Challenge 
Hike? Every week we offer five levels of hikes and if a hike level description states it is steep, rocky footing, bushwacking, slippery, or exceeds elevation or mileage, it’s a Challenge Hike. This hike exceeded both elevation and mileage, but hiking among the golden rocks, viewing Weaver’s Needle in the distance, seeing the results of last summer’s wildfires, and spotting three little Indian Paintbrush in full bloom made it a grand day. If you like walking, we have a level to suit you. Check out our website pchikers.org for a description of the 13 weekly hikes and join in the fun.