come hike with us!
The PebbleCreek Hiking Club is now in its 20th season and is established to provide PebbleCreek residents with the opportunity to enjoy recreational hiking in an organized, safe and social environment. Safety is a key concern. Hikers are accompanied by a leader and sweep carrying an emergency satellite communicator, medical kit and walkie talkies.
The regular hiking season is from the third week of September to the first week of May. In this season the 11 or 12 hikes per week are scheduled at the following levels:
D Level hikes (3.5-5.0 miles) every Tuesday and Thursday and sometimes Saturday.
C Level hikes (6.0-8.0 miles) every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and sometimes Saturday.
B Level hikes (up to 12 miles) every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
A Level hikes (challenging hikes with unrestricted miles and elevation gain) are held on select Mondays in November through March.
The summer hiking season is from the second week of May to the third week of September. In this season 6 hikes per week at the C or D Levels are scheduled.
PROSPECTIVE members
Prospective members must independently walk around Robson Circle twice and complete an Intro hike. Once completed, new members should then submit their registration form and dues.
Hikers are reminded that participation on these hikes is a reaffirmation of the waiver they signed when they joined the club. The waiver may be found here.
Announcements
Membership, Meetings, Patches, Name Tags
MEMBERSHIP for the 2023/2024 Year
Membership dues are $20 per member. Each member is to submit a new registration form along with their dues payment. This is an annual requirement. Checks should be made payable to: PebbleCreek Hiking Club. Dues may be paid at the club's monthly meetings. Registrations may be sent to: Ron Hoffman, PCHC Treasurer, 3315 N. 147th Lane, Goodyear, AZ 85395.
Hiking Club meetings are held on the third Monday of the month (September through April).
The next hiking club meeting is a 'Welcome to the New Season' potluck picnic. It is scheduled for Monday, October 16th from 4PM-7PM at the Oasis Pool. All members and potential new members are welcome.
If you would like to order an Awards patch for the number of hikes or miles achieved and/or a PebbleCreek Hiking Club Name Tag then click here.
About Us
Club Information
President: Neal Wring PCHCP@gmail.com
VP: Nancy Love PCHCVP@gmail.com
Treasurer: Ron Hoffman PCHCTreas@gmail.com
Secretary: Carol Rice PCHCSecr@gmail.com
PHOTO LIBRARY: To see pictures of our various hikes around Phoenix and beyond, visit the hiking club photo library housed in SmugMug. See a Club Officer to get the secret password.
CLUB HIKING METRICS: All miles hiked with the club are recorded. Special mention of hiker's milestones is made in Club Meetings, Bulletins and the Season Review Photo Page. Click here to see your mileage statistics for current and past seasons.
2022-2023 Hiking Club Calendar
HIKE LIBRARY UPDATE REQUESTS
Send in your idea for a new hike to be added to the library
Need to improve a hike description or add a map or GPX track?
Hike Coordinator? Need to update your hike schedule?
Special Events
Do you have any ideas for social events, speakers, fun hikes?
The Special Event Committee want to know! Click below to describe your ideas for new hiking club events!
Hot Weather Hiking Safety Page
Be prepared for safely hiking in the summer heat!
Schedule october 2nd - october 13th 2023
DATE: Monday, October 2, 2023
HIKE: B Hike - Urban Hike Goodyear Pub Tour (PCHC # 795).
UNUSUAL START TIME: 10:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Bill Halte
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 6.7 mile clockwise loop hike with an elevation gain of 60 feet. Stop 1: Clubhouse Grill (Indian School and Litchfield). Stop 2: Lunch at Old Chicago Tap Room. Stop 3: Dessert at BJs. Return via Bullard Wash. Trail condition: Concrete Sidewalk.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 6.7 if parked in Halte Neighborhood. 7.1 if parked at Eagles Nest.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Eagles Nest Parking Lot or Bill Halte’s neighbourhood TRAILS: No Named Trails
FEES AND FACILITIES: Three restrooms. No park fee.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: No Driving Directions
PCHC TRAIL ID: 795
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: None
DATE: Monday, October 2, 2023
HIKE: C Hike - Black Canyon NRT - Skyline Segment (PCHC # 401).
REGULAR START TIME: 6:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Ron Hoffman
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 6 mile in and out hike with an elevation gain of 1000 feet. The hike starts out on the Horseshoe Segment. You cross the Agua Fria River at about the 1.5 mile point. The trail then becomes the Skyline Segment. As you climb up the hillside, you will have several views of the river and Black Canyon City from above. The turnaround point is when you see the river view after passing behind a hill. There is usually some water in the river but is crossable. During the wet seasons, it will be more difficult to cross while staying dry. There are several sections of quartz rock along the trail. the last .25 miles are on a gravel road.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Rock Springs Cafe Trailhead TRAILS: Horseshoe Segment, Skyline Segment
FEES AND FACILITIES: No park fees. No restrooms. The Rock Springs Café (great pies and burgers) is .8 miles from the trailhead, and you will pass it to get back on I17
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Black Canyon Trail Rock Springs Cafe Trailhead: Head north on PebbleCreek Parkway to Indian School Road, turn west (left), then take Loop 303 North and follow until it ends at I17. Turn left onto I17 North toward Flagstaff. Take exit 242 (Black Canyon City & Rock Springs Cafe). Turn west (left), crossing I17. At the stop sign, turn right on the frontage road. Drive about 300 feet and turn left on Warner Road (trail sign on left). Drive about 1300 feet and turn right at the first crossroad. Drive just over 300 feet to the parking area on the right, near end of road. DRIVING DISTANCE: 100 miles
URL PHOTOS: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/BlackCanyonNationalRecreationT/BCT-Skyline-Segment
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Black-Canyon-Trail/i-pKJq7zx
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4amiB_i_1QKmiotwjl?e=aDvqAd
PCHC TRAIL ID: 401
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $8
DATE: Tuesday, October 3, 2023
HIKE: D Hike - Verrado Area - Verrado North Trail (PCHC # 625).
UNUSUAL START TIME: 6:30 AM
HIKE LEADER: Dennis Zigmunt
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 4.4 mile lollipop hike with an elevation gain of 450 feet. This is a hike towards Dead Mans Pass, then to the Petroglyphs, returning on a two track road. The first part of the hike is rather flat then you parallel a wash and follow it up to a point that will give you nice views of the west side of the White Tank Mountains.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Lost Creek Trailhead TRAILS: No Named Trails
FEES AND FACILITIES: No park fees. No restrooms at the trailhead.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Verrado Lost Creek Trailhead. Head north on PebbleCreek Parkway, turn west (left) on Indian School Road. Turn left on Acacia Way (just past the high school). Turn right on Lost Creek Drive Parking for the trailhead is at the end of Lost Creek Drive. You walk between the green and a tee on the Verrado Founders Golf Course to get to the trailhead. DRIVING DISTANCE: 18 miles
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/White-Tank-Mountains-Verrado/i-6MJCxp8/A
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4amyhiulo6UgG3RHmn
PCHC TRAIL ID: 625
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $3
DATE: Wednesday, October 4, 2023
HIKE: B Challenge Hike - Superstition Mountains - Carney Springs to Peralta Loop (PCHC # 547).
REGULAR START TIME: 6:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Lynn Warren
REASON FOR CHALLENGE: Difficult bushwack from top of Carney Springs across ridge and down to Fremont Saddle.
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 7 mile clockwise loop hike with an elevation gain of 2000 feet. Carney Springs trail is a very steep, strenuous, loose pebble/dirt trail that goes up to a saddle providing great views to the south of the Superstitions. From the saddle follow the cairned trail to the right that ascends to an area of jumbled rocks immediately above Fremont Saddle. There are incredible views of Weavers Needle and the Superstition Mountain that makes the difficult trail worth the effort. There is much boulder hopping going steeply down to Fremont Saddle. At the saddle locate the Peralta Trail leading to the right down the Peralta Valley. Once down the Peralta Trail at the trailhead, you simply hike down the road about a mile to the Carney Springs Trailhead.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Strenuous climb to the ridge above Carney Springs and scenic but challenging descent to Peralta Trail for the return.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Lost Goldmine East Trailhead TRAILS: Carney Springs Trail, Peralta Trail #102
FEES AND FACILITIES: No restrooms at Carney Springs (Peralta has some). No park fee.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Superstitions Lost Goldmine Trailhead: Head south on PebbleCreek Parkway to I10. Take I10 East to Highway 60 East (HOV all the way). Go 8.5 miles past Apache Junction to the Peralta Road turnoff (approximately 32 miles from I10). Turn left on Peralta Road. The trailhead is about 7.6 miles north on the left. The last 6.5 miles is on a well maintained dirt road. DRIVING DISTANCE: 140 miles
URL PHOTOS: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/SuperstitionWilderness/Carney-SpringsPerata-Loop
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Superstition-Wilderness-/i-ksBx6Bv/A
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4al17gbVTf6-WnVavZ?e=BLDINd
PCHC TRAIL ID: 547
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $13
DATE: Wednesday, October 4, 2023
HIKE: C Hike - Estrella Foothills - Crossover trail to Estrella Mountain Regional Park (PCHC # 587).
REGULAR START TIME: 6:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Laurie Rosenbloom
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 6.5 mile in and out hike with an elevation gain of 121 feet. The hike goes from the high school parking lot to Park Avenue then to the Cross Over Trail that leads to the Estrella Mountain Regional Park. The trail is relatively flat and crosses typical desert terrain.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Estrella High School Trailhead TRAILS: PA
FEES AND FACILITIES: Restrooms are on the left by the ballpark. No park fee.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Estrella Foothills Park: High School Trailhead. Head south on PebbleCreek Parkway which becomes Estrella Parkway on the other side of I10. Continue into and through the Estrella Mountain development. Turn left into the parking lot just before the Estrella Foothills High School building. Park at the far end of the parking lot. DRIVING DISTANCE: 27 miles
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Estrella-Foothills/i-FCzbhGm
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4aoRkcjQiKqGef50pd?e=wMcCGw
PCHC TRAIL ID: 587
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $3
DATE: Thursday, October 5, 2023
HIKE: B Hike - Thunderbird CA - Three Peaks Cholla, Arrowhead Pt, Desert Iguana (PCHC # 637).
REGULAR START TIME: 6:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Kris Raczkiewicz or Eileen Lords Mosse
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 10.2 mile double loop hike with an elevation gain of 1855 feet. Thunderbird Park offers 1,185 acres of mountain preserves and approximately 20 miles of hiking trails. This is actually a triple loop hike. We will be hiking 3 small peaks via the trails of Cholla, Arrowhead Point, Desert Iguana, and Coach Whip. This is a fairly well trafficked area with frequent urban views. Trails are well marked but rocky.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Coachwhip Trailhead TRAILS: Cholla, Arrowhead Point, Desert Iguana, Coach Whip
FEES AND FACILITIES: Restroom at Trailhead. No Park Fee.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Thunderbird Park Take 101 North. Turn left (north) on 59th Ave. Turn Left into parking lot of Thunderbird Park. Turn immediately left at yellow gate and park a block down, near the restrooms. The trails start by going right in front of the restrooms and cross the street near the park entrance. DRIVING DISTANCE: 60 miles
URL PHOTOS: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/ThunderbirdConservationPark/Coachwhip-Ridgeline-Trails/B-HikeThunderbird-Double-LoopLynnW2021-2022/i-ccgSs2s
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Thunderbird-Conservation-Area/
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4al3VsUPbE34T4pJee
PCHC TRAIL ID: 637
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $7
DATE: Thursday, October 5, 2023
HIKE: D Hike - Estrella Mountain Ranch - Fantasy Island North Singletrack (FINS) South Loop (PCHC # 196).
UNUSUAL START TIME: 6:30 AM
HIKE LEADER: Kay Thomas
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 3.7 mile counter clockwise loop hike with an elevation gain of 400 feet. The hike is on several trails in the eastern part of the FINS bike trails system. The trails meander through several desert hills with many rock formations.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Fantasy Island Trailhead TRAILS: entry trail, Eileens Entry, Joeys Jaunt, Connies Causeway, Boneyard, Muriels Mile, Stones Throne, exit trail
FEES AND FACILITIES: No restrooms at the trailhead. No park fees.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to FINS Fantasy Island Trailhead. Head south on PebbleCreek Parkway, which becomes Estrella Parkway on the other side of I10. Continue for approximately 12.5 miles. Turn right on West Westar Drive. Go approximately 1.1 miles and turn left into the parking lot (this turn is easy to miss so turn just before a one level concrete maintenance building; there is also a tall steel tower for power lines). DRIVING DISTANCE: 27 miles
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Estrella-Mountain-Ranch/i-VFhk4ss
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4aoxS5x4KMwRQCAjwn?e=iWe0Mg
PCHC TRAIL ID: 196
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $3
DATE: Friday, October 6, 2023
HIKE: B Hike - Verrado Area - Javalina Peak from Lost Creek Trailhead (PCHC # 696).
REGULAR START TIME: 6:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: TBD
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 6 mile in and out hike with an elevation gain of 1200 feet. This hike goes west on the Lost Creek trail. After approximately 1 mile at a four way junction, turn left and follow the trail until it joins the Tortuga Trail. Turn left then left again onto the Javelina Summit Trail. Climb steeply to Javelina Summit then retrace your steps backthe way you came to the Parking Lot
TRAILHEAD NAME: Lost Creek Trailhead TRAILS: Lost Creek Trail, Jeep Trail, Tortuga, Javalina, Scramble, Tortuga, Jeep Trail, Lost Creek Trail
FEES AND FACILITIES: No park fees. No restrooms at the trailhead.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Verrado Lost Creek Trailhead. Head north on PebbleCreek Parkway, turn west (left) on Indian School Road. Turn left on Acacia Way (just past the high school). Turn right on Lost Creek Drive Parking for the trailhead is at the end of Lost Creek Drive. You walk between the green and a tee on the Verrado Founders Golf Course to get to the trailhead. DRIVING DISTANCE: 18 miles
PCHC TRAIL ID: 696
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $3
DATE: Friday, October 6, 2023
HIKE: C Hike - Estrella MRP - Rainbow Valley, Toothaker Loop (PCHC # 313).
REGULAR START TIME: 6:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Diana Bedwell
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 6.3 mile counter clockwise loop hike with an elevation gain of 497 feet. This loop hike beginning on the west side of the rodeo arena (demolished in 2022). Take the trail our of the parking lot past the trail sign. Turn right and follow signs for the Rainbow Valley trail. Follow the Rainbow Valley Trail past the junctions with Quail and Dysart Trails for a total of 4.2 miles until the junction with the Toothaker Trail. Turn left onto the Toothaker Trail for 2 miles back to the parking lot.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Uphill on Rainbow Valley Trail after the junction with Dysart for one mile to the saddle.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Toothaker Trailhead at West Rodeo Drive TRAILS: Rainbow Valley, Toothaker
FEES AND FACILITIES: Restrooms are at the trailhead. Park fee is $7.00 per car.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Estrella Mountain Regional Park West Rodeo Drive. Turn left out the main gate onto Pebble Creek/Estrella Pkw (south) South of I10, turn left onto Vineyard Ave. just across the Gila River. Turn right into Estrella Mtn Park. After the park entrance gate, drive through the park all the way to a fork in the road. Take the right fork to the parking area at the former site of the rodeo arena on West Rodeo Drive. Trailhead and rest rooms are on the far (West) side of parking area. DRIVING DISTANCE: 20 miles
URL PHOTOS: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/EstrellaMountainRegionalPark/Rainbow-Toothaker/C-HikeEMRP-Rainbow-ToothakerLynnW2020-2021
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Estrella-Mountain-Regional-Park/i-HdQTJxX/A
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4aoSJgLtJcLOt15rxl?e=ZXHKuy
PCHC TRAIL ID: 313
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $3
DATE: Saturday, October 7, 2023
HIKE: B Hike - Estrella Foothills - Estrella Foothills plus FINS (PCHC # 639).
REGULAR START TIME: 6:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Kris Raczkiewicz or Eileen Lords Mosse
DESCRIPTION: This hike is an 11.6 mile lollipop hike with an elevation gain of 560 feet. The hike begins from the High School south and proceeds west through some of the developed areas to the FINS trailhead. At FINS the hike will continue as a 4 mile loop on several trails in the Western part of the FINS bike trails system. The trails meander through several desert hills with many rock formations. The hike then returns to the high school. Trail condition: good, this is also a biking trail.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This hike typically takes 4.5 hours with breaks.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Estrella High School Trailhead TRAILS: No Named Trails
FEES AND FACILITIES: Restrooms are on the left by the ballpark. No park fee.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Estrella Foothills Park: High School Trailhead Turn left out the main gate onto Pebble Creek Pkwy (south), which becomes Estrella Pkwy. Continue into and through the Estrella Mountain development. Turn left into the parking lot just before the Estrella Foothills High School building. DRIVING DISTANCE: 26 miles
URL PHOTOS: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Estrella-Foothills/B-HikeEF-FINS-03-10LynnW2021-2022/
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Estrella-Mountain-Ranch/i-LKKSXwP/A
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4am3zBCxjwnJtkWAGQ
PCHC TRAIL ID: 639
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $3
DATE: Saturday, October 7, 2023
HIKE: C Hike - Verrado Area - Deadhead Pass and Petroglyph Rock (PCHC # 699).
REGULAR START TIME: 6:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Dennis Zigmunt
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 5.8 mile counter clockwise loop hike with an elevation gain of 500 feet. Head west from the parking lot. Turn right on Caterpillar Hill road and then quickly turn left on an unmarked trail: Tecate. Follow Tecate trail northwest around a small hill, climbing up and over a rocky section. Turn right at the first junction after the hill and continue northwest on the Cholla Trail. This trail enters Deadhead Pass and follows the east side of the pass and turns into the Deadhead Pass Trail. Shortly after a set of switchbacks up the east valley side, there is a fork in the trail. Take the left fork down into the dry riverbed and follow the trail as it loops in a southeast direction back alogn the west side of Deadhead Pass. Follow this trail taking the Hiline Trail to Petroglyph rock. Continue over the pass behind the rock to the main valley. Turn Left and follow the main trail back to the parkcing lot. In the spring, there is a large area of poppies towards the far end of the loop. Lots of rock formations with the chance of assorted wildflowers in the spring.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Follow attached map. Most trails are not signposted.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Lost Creek Trailhead TRAILS: Tecate, Cholla, Deadhead Pass, Highline
FEES AND FACILITIES: No park fees. No restrooms at the trailhead.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Verrado Lost Creek Trailhead. Head north on PebbleCreek Parkway, turn west (left) on Indian School Road. Turn left on Acacia Way (just past the high school). Turn right on Lost Creek Drive Parking for the trailhead is at the end of Lost Creek Drive. You walk between the green and a tee on the Verrado Founders Golf Course to get to the trailhead. DRIVING DISTANCE: 18 miles
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/White-Tank-Mountains-Verrado/i-4pC2Wcc/A
PCHC TRAIL ID: 699
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $3
LAST Season in Review
Cairn Challenge!!
CLUB PHOTO GALLERY
Contact Us
Would you like to join the PC Hikers? Complete the above form so we can set up an Intro hike with you. Then see the Documents Page for registration and waiver forms. Do you have questions? Ask them in the above section and we will get back to you.