Hikers Celebrate International Women’s Day

Ruth Bindler

In addition to about 10 hikes weekly, the PebbleCreek Hikers plan some interesting special outings. One of these events occurred recently to mark International Women’s Day. Jo Clipperton offered her home for the women hiking club members to celebrate the global celebration of women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements, as well as to serve as a call to action for accelerating gender equality. The movement began in Europe in 1911 and was recognized by the United Nations in 1975. Areas of focus over the generations have included women worker rights, the right to vote (first granted by New Zealand), gender equality, reproductive rights, and protection from violence and abuse. The movement is a celebration of strength, resilience, and uplifting/inspiring others. For hiking information and other special events, visit the hiking club website at pchikers.org and join in activities of interest to you.

Ann Rohlman Reaches 3,000 Miles on Hiking Trails

Nancy Love

On March 21, Ann Rohlman whizzed by the 3,000-mile mark since joining the PebbleCreek Hiking Club in October of 2012. In 14 years, she has explored the trails of Arizona (most often the White Tanks, Black Canyon, and Estrella) but also on club hikes in Utah and Washington. As a part-timer, she and her husband spend their summers in Bellevue, Wash., where her hiking is quite different. In the Cascade woods, tree roots are more likely to cause tripping than rocks, and slugs are more common than rattlesnakes or lizards. And the air is much damper.

Ann has contributed to the club as Club Secretary and as the Friday “C” Hike Coordinator. This latter job means it gives her the authority to choose “what, where, and when.” And since 2019, she has led 86 hikes (and brought us back). This girl is a treasure.

Hiking the Roosevelt Canal

Ruth Bindler

We are fortunate in PebbleCreek to be situated next to the Roosevelt Canal administered by the Roosevelt Irrigation District. The system has 185 miles of lateral canals and serves 38,000 acres in our Southwest Valley. It can be accessed easily from our community and provides a flat, soil packed walkway. While users need to exercise caution and keep to the paths, the canal system affords recreation to many walkers, hikers, and bikers. Visit the Salt River Project at srpnet.com/grid-water-management/water-recreation/canal-trails for a map of area canals. A group of PebbleCreek hikers recently left the community for a 4+–mile walk to Goodyear Square, 1 mile of which was along the Roosevelt Canal. Visit our website at pchikers.org to learn more about the wide variety of hikes offered each week. Summer brings fewer hikes scheduled but an emphasis on practices to ensure safe hiking in the heat.

Hikers Say Farewell

Lynn Warren

Omaha’s gain is PebbleCreek’s loss. After 13 years in PebbleCreek and over 16,000 miles of hiking with the club, Clare Bangs and wife Vickie have moved back to the Omaha, Neb., area; winters will be harsher but they will be much closer to family. On March 23, dozens of hikers and spouses gathered on a record hot afternoon at Mark Frumkin’s house for a farewell party. Clare has hiked many miles with the club and has experienced many adventures (and a few misadventures). He is well respected in PebbleCreek and has contributed much to the hiking club over the years, helping to plan, explore, and lead many hikes, and will be missed. Hopefully the return to Omaha will be as productive as the stay in PebbleCreek.

“B” Hiker Hits Big Milestone

Lynn Warren

Stacey Miller has been hiking with the club only 5 years but is recognized as a strong hiker and on March 28, reached an impressive milestone of 6,000 miles, just a short 6 months after reaching 5,000 miles. Stacey achieved his current milestone with seven fellow hikers on a windy Saturday morning in Estrella Mountain Regional Park, one of the club’s frequent hiking areas just a short distance south of PebbleCreek; the wind was gusting so strongly that the group had to find a somewhat sheltered area in a big wash. Stacey was born in Washington State but spent most of his adult life in Wisconsin and, after retiring from a successful career in multi-peril crop insurance, he and wife Laurie moved to PebbleCreek and the rest is history. Their family is quite scattered since their daughter lives in the Phoenix area but their son and daughter-in-law live in Australia. Expect to see additional milestones in the future since Sta

cey continues to rack up the miles every week. Why not join the club and pursue your own milestones with a great group of people; visit the club website at pchikers.org for more information and photos.

Hassayampa River Preserve Hike

Jan Sherwood

Are you interested in combining low elevation hiking with the opportunity to see over 280 species of birds? Then head for the Hassayampa River Preserve near Wickenburg. The “D” level of the PebbleCreek Hiking Club spent a relaxing morning walking the trails that wander through cottonwood and willow trees on the banks of the river. The river flows underground for most of its 100 miles, but here in the reserve, it flows above ground year-round. The Preserve is a part of Maricopa County Parks, which means the park pass you use in White Tank and Estrella Mountain Regional Parks applies here as well. The paths are shaded and well-maintained, encouraging walkers to spend time listening to the birds and getting outdoors. This is a unique place for both hikers and walkers. The PebbleCreek Hiking Club goes on hikes of varying difficulty. You’ll find more information on our website, pchikers.org.

Hikers Celebrate a Milestone

Dennis Zigmunt

Sandy Mednick has been hiking with the PebbleCreek Hiking Club since 2011, and on April 7, reached a significant milestone. She and fellow hikers celebrated her reaching 5,000 club miles with Mimosas (or plain OJ) after a 4.4 mile hike at Estrella Mountain Regional Park. The hike was mostly on the Desert Rose trail, which is in the far east side of the park near the Phoenix Raceway, but the hike also included a fun bushwhack outside the park to sharpen the group’s trail-finding skills. The club offers hikes at different levels six days a week; visit the club website at pchikers.org for more information and photos.