Left to right: Clare Bangs, Mike Tansey, Kris Raczkiewicz, Ed Bobigian, Bill Halte, Stacey Miller, Neal Wring, and Lynn Warren (photographer) pausing in gusty conditions at the 10,000-ft. high point along the Bearjaw-Abineau trails with the steep slope leading up to Humphrey’s Peak in the background.
Hikers Enjoy Flagstaff Trails
Lynn Warren
To take a break from the hot, humid conditions of the valley’s monsoon summer, eight hikers headed north to the cooler climes of Flagstaff to enjoy several days of hiking. The first day’s hike, Bearjaw-Abineau loop, was only 8 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation gain, which on the surface doesn’t seem overly challenging. However, one must note that the hike started at approximately 8,000 ft. and topped out at 10,000 ft., challenging for desert hikers used to air with more oxygen. The second day’s hike was to the lookout tower on Kendrick’s Peak (10,000 ft.) and the third day’s hike challenged Humphrey’s Peak. The temperatures were cooler as expected but were accompanied by strong, gusting wind each day, and the hike on Humphrey’s was cut short of the peak because it was just too windy. However, the hikers enjoyed the break from valley conditions and the opportunity to sample the products of some of Flagstaff’s “thirst parlors.” The club hikes all around the valley year-round, with occasional trips to areas outside the valley; visit the club website at pchikers.org for more information and photos.
Left to right: Lynn Warren (photographer), Kris Raczkiewicz, Clare Bangs, Neal Wring, Tom O’Reilly, and Stacey Miller pausing for a photo after the steep climb to Pyrite Summit in Buckeye’s Skyline Park.
Hikers Begin New Season
Lynn Warren
The 2025-26 hiking season began on Oct. 1 and, right on schedule, a group of six “B” hikers headed west on I-10 to the Watson Rd. exit, which led north into Buckeye’s Skyline Park. The group planned to conduct a 10-mile loop requiring 1,700 feet of elevation gain by combining steep climbs on Mountain Wash, Turnbuckle, and Pyrite trails. As it turned out, the combination of temperature and lingering humidity was more than the hikers wanted to tackle so they decided to skip the final climb up Turnbuckle and shortened the hike to 8 miles but nevertheless enjoyed great views, particularly from the summit of Pyrite after a strenuous climb up the north side. The club hikes all year in many areas of the valley; visit the club website at pchikers.org for more information and photos.
Left to right: Kris Raczkiewicz, Bill Halte, Clare Bangs, Stacey Miller, Lynn Warren (photographer), and Neal Wring pausing at the Sonoran Loop saddle in the White Tanks to celebrate a significant milestone.
Hiker Hits Another Milestone
Lynn Warren
Stacey Miller started hiking with the club just three years ago but quickly established himself as a very strong hiker, winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2022, and, on Sept. 15, celebrated a milestone of 5,000 miles on a Sonoran Loop hike in the White Tank Mountain Regional Park. Although born in Washington state, Stacey spent most of his adult life in Wisconsin and, after retiring from a successful career in multi-peril crop insurance, he and wife Laurie came to Phoenix with the intention of buying an investment property in Ahwatukee but instead ended up with a residence in PebbleCreek, and the rest is history. Stacey and Laurie’s family is scattered since their daughter lives in the Phoenix area but their son and wife live in Australia (although a private pilot, Stacey probably won’t be flying there). Stay tuned for additional milestones in the future since Stacey 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.
Hikers Dave Schuldt, Barb Kripps, Dana and Kay Thomas, and Sandy Mednick enjoyed an EZ level hike. (Photo by Dennis Zigmunt)
Summer Hikers at Tres Rios Wetlands
Dennis Zigmunt
Your PebbleCreek Hiking Club makes hikes available to hikers at all levels and capabilities. We have a new category of hike, EZ, that was added especially to accommodate those of us who may be experiencing a hitch in our giddyup due to any of the many causes that may afflict us as we enjoy our retirement years. These hikes are also enjoyed by those who just want to take a shorter than usual walk or hike, or in some cases, because the hike has a destination of a coffee or pastry shop. Join the Hiking Club If you want to take an EZ hike of 3 miles or an A hike of 20 miles. You will be welcome in either case.