Welcome to the PebbleCreek Hiking Club

The PebbleCreek Hiking Club has been 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 locator beacon , medical kit and walkie talkies.   The regular hiking season is the third week of Sept. to the first week of May. During the summer, there are B/C+ hikes held Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and D/D+ hikes held Tuesday and Thursday. During the regular season the schedules is as follows:

A hikes (over 12 miles) are held on Mondays.

B hikes  (8-12 miles) are held  Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

C hikes (6-8+ miles) are held  Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays

D hikes (up to 5 miles) are held Tuesdays & Thursdays.

For PROSPECTIVE members
Prospective members must independently walk around Robson Circle twice and complete an Intro hike. Once completed, new members need to 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.

We will have a special celebration on our Wednesday C Hike to honor long-standing Honorary Member, Pete Williams.  Wednesday will be Pete’s 1600th hike!  This exceeds any other hiker in the club by 240 hikes.  This is quite a feat and one that we will recognize on Wednesday.  If you can join us on the hike, please do.  If you cannot hike, but would like to participate in the celebration, go to the Estrella Community Lake Trailhead (see driving directions for Wednesday C Hike).  The hikers should be returning to the trailhead at approximately 9:30 a.m.  As Pete and his wife, Tina, will be leaving PebbleCreek in the next month, all hikers are encouraged to participate in this amazing occasion.

During the summer months, hydration is critical.  Remember to bring lots of water and electrolytes.  In the month of May our meet/depart times are 6:00 a.m./6:10 a.m. unless otherwise stated.  Check individual hikes for early starts.  Here are the hikes for next week:

Monday, May 10, 2021 – Sedona – Loy Canyon Trail.  Rating B.  EARLY DEPARTURE – Meet at 5:20 a.m. – Leave at 5:30 a.m.  Marilyn Reynolds or Bill Halte will lead.  This hike 11.5 miles with 2500 feet of elevation.  This hike is featured in the May 2021 issue of the Arizona Highway’s magazine and was done by the club as an Exploratory Hike in 2013.  The majority of this route is in the trees and features all of the picturesque beauty of Sedona.  This hike is rated as Strenuous by Arizona Highways.

https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Category/Loy-Canyon-Trail/Exploratory-LynnW-2012-2013/

Directions to Loy Canyon Trail – From the roundabout junction of State Route 179 and State Route 89A in Sedona, go south on SR 89A for 9.7 miles to Forest Road 525.  Turn right onto FR 525 and continue 9.5 miles to the trailhead.  A high-clearance vehicle is highly recommended.

Monday, May 10, 2021 – PRE-HIKE Lake Pleasant Northwest Meander (Lake Pleasant).  Rating C.  Pete Williams will lead.  This is a meandering hike of 6-7 miles with an elevation gain of 600-700 ft along a dirt road and then fingers sticking into Lake Pleasant.  There are random wild burro trails that we use to navigate the area.  Besides the great views of the lake and side canyons, this seems to be where the wild burros live.  We have seen over 50 burros each time we have hiked this area – they seem to be everywhere.   Trail condition – mostly old roads and burro trails.  No park fee.  No restrooms at the trailhead.  Driving distance is 90 miles RT.  

Directions to Lake Pleasant Northwest Meander (Lake Pleasant) - Take Loop 303 north and exit at Lake Pleasant Road.  Turn left on Lake Pleasant Rd and follow until it ends at AZ 74.  Turn left on AZ 74 (Carefree Highway).  Go west to Castle Hot Springs Road (the Lake Pleasant turn off).  Turn right on Castle Hot Springs Rd and follow 5.2 miles to the "T" intersection.   Turn left and go a couple of miles, crossing the bridge over the edge of the lake.  About .5 miles across the bridge, turn right on Cow Creek Road (there’s a kiosk on Cow Creek Road).  Drive 1 mile to the campground (there’s a kiosk at the turn into the campground).  Drive in about 100 yards and park on the left.  The hike heads straight across the parking area to a dirt road.  No Restrooms at the Trailhead.

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 – Skyline Regional Park – Buckeye – Turnbuckle-Granite Falls-Chuckwalla Loop Trail + Redtail Loop.  Rating D+.  This is a loop hike of about 4.2 miles with an elevation gain of about 600 ft.  This is one of the trails in Buckeye’s Skyline Regional Park.  There are great views of the area from the saddle.  There are several optional trails to the tops of the ridges. No park fee.  Restrooms are at the trailhead.  Driving distance is 30 miles RT.

https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Skyline-Park/Skyline-Regional-Park/

Directions to Skyline Regional Park Trailhead - Go West on I-10.  Turn north (right) on Watson Road.  Drive to end of road and trailhead parking.  Facilities are at the trailhead.

Wednesday, May 12, 2021 – EXPLORATORY Estrella Community Big Lake Loop plus Trail towards Safeway (Estrella Mountain Ranch).  Rating C.  Pete Williams will lead.  This is about a 7-mile hike with an elevation gain of about 700 ft.  It starts with a loop of the North lake and then follows a trail along the ridgeline towards the Safeway.  We will check out a couple of side trails along the way.  There are 3 US flags along the route as well as a giant rabbit and other interesting sites.   There are nice views of the Estrella Mountain community.  The hike is in typical desert terrain.  Trail condition - the lake loop is concrete will the rest is mostly a good hiking trail.  No park fee.  No restrooms at the trailhead.  Driving distance is 25 miles RT.  

Directions to Estrella Community Lake Trailhead - Turn left out the main gate onto PebbleCreek Pkwy (south).  PCP becomes Estrella Pkwy on the other side of I-10.  Continue up the hill into Estrella Mountain to the shopping area.  Turn right on Elliott (light just past shopping area).  Turn left into the school sports complex parking lot.  Park at this end of the parking lot.

Thursday, May 13, 2021 --Wickenburg Peak (Wickenburg).  Rating C/B.  Clare Bangs will lead.  This is an 8-8.4 mile out and back hike to Wickenburg’s namesake peak.  Elevation gain is about 1000 ft. Most of the trail is fairly flat, going up and down through a few washes.  At around 3.5 miles, the trail comes out of a wash at a dry waterfall and starts to go steadily up.  At 4 miles, a good stopping point for C hikers, the trail starts to get steeper, rising 200 ft in .2 miles to the saddle. The final hike to the top is very steep. No restrooms and no park fee. Driving distance is 94 miles RT.

Directions to Wickenburg - Wickenburg Peak Trailhead - Take Rte 303 north (right) to U.S. 60.  Turn west (left) onto U.S. 60.  Stay on U.S 60 for about 1.5 miles after the first stop light in Wickenburg.  Turn south (left) at the Charles Steakhouse.  Trailhead is about 1 mile up the road at the top of a ridge, just as the road turns right. Parking is on the left.  There is no restroom at the trailhead.

Thursday, May 13, 2021 – Victory View & Stairs Loop (Verrado).  Rating D.  Dennis Zigmunt leads.  This is about 4 miles and 300 ft EG.  The hike goes through typical west Valley desert terrain.  It goes up 330 stairs to an overlook with views of the Victory development, golf course and clubhouse.  The hike gives you great views of the white trail you see from I-10, though not the part you see from PebbleCreek.  No facilities at the trailhead.  No park fee.  Driving distance is 18 miles RT. GAIA for D hike. 

https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/WhiteTankMountains-Verrado/VerradoVictory 

Directions to Trailhead at Verrado West - Go West 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 Raven at Verrado golf course to get to the trailhead. 

Friday, May 14, 2021 – EXPLORATORY.  Latigo/Dare A Sara/Snake Eyes/

Scorpion Loop (McDowell Sonoran Preserve).   Rating C.  Pete Williams will lead.  This is a loop hike of about 6-7 miles with an elevation gain of 500-700 ft.  There are great rock formations along the trail.  The main loop is considered a challenge for mountain bikers, going through the rock formations.  Trail condition - very good hiking trail.  There is no restroom at the trailhead and no park fee.  Driving distance is 98 miles RT.  

Directions to McDowell Sonoran Preserve - Pima Dynamite Trailhead - Take Loop 303 North and drive to I-17.  Turn left (North) on I-17.  Stay right and immediately exit onto Dove Valley Road.  Follow Dove Valley Road about 10 mi. (name changes to Sonoran Desert Drive).  Take Cave Creek Road North (left).  Turn right at first light on Dynamite Blvd.  Just past Pima Road, turn left into the Pima Dynamite Trailhead parking lot.  There are no restrooms at the trailhead.

Saturday, May 15, 2021 – Estrella Mountain Regional Park – Competitive Track – Long Loop to Technical.   Rating C.   Marilyn Reynolds will lead.  This is a 7.7-mile loop hike with an elevation gain of 1000 ft.  The trail meanders through typical desert terrain with many bushes and saguaro cactus.  There is a porta-john at the trailhead.  Trail condition - average hiking trail.  Park fee is $7.00.  Driving distance is 26 miles RT.

Directions to Estrella Mountain Regional Park - Competitive Trails - Turn left out the main gate onto PebbleCreek Pkw/Estrella Pkw (on other side of I-10).  Turn left onto Vineyard Ave. just across the Gila River.  Follow Vineyard as it curves to the right, becoming 143rd Ave Turn left on Indian Springs Road.  At the fence that begins the parking for PIR turn right.  Follow signs to trails.  Pay park fee of $7.00 per vehicle at the self-pay station or place your parking sign on the dash of your car, if you have a pass.  Continue to the parking on the right.

Stay hydrated this summer and please join us on Wednesday’s C hike if you can.

See you on the trail,

Marilyn Reynolds, President

PebbleCreek Hiking Club

REVISED COVID Guidance for PebbleCreek Hiking Club Members.

These guidelines may be updated by the Hiking Club board at any time as new information on or recommendations about the pandemic occur.

If you are not feeling well or have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 during the past 14 days, DO NOT HIKE WITH THIS GROUP!!!! If you or someone you know has been in contact with or is diagnosed with Covid-19, please inform the club by contacting President Marilyn Reynolds PCHCPres@gmail.com or (208) 484-3156. This will allow the club to inform other hikers of their possible exposure.

Hikers should read and be aware of the current guidance for self- protection and protection of others offered by the Arizona Department of Health Service posted online at https://www.azdhs.gov/ preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease- epidemiology/ index.php#novel-coronavirus-what-everyone-needs.

Club Hike Meeting Place:

C and D hikes will meet in the parking lot at the Tuscany Falls Sales Office/Model Homes parking lot, which is west of the Arts Center. The A and B hiking groups will meet in the parking lot in front of the Eagle’s Nest Club House. 

The Hike Leader will be the only person who will sign Hikers in for that group's hike. The leader will be responsible for listing the Hikers’ names on the Log-In Sheet and will coordinate with the club statistician to scan or email that information for data gathering. The Hike Leader will remind Hikers that by signing up for the hike, they are agreeing to the club’s liability waiver located on the website and the back of the sign-in form. During this time, members may not bring guests on hikes. 

The Hike Leader will ensure that any electronic devices, such as Club Walkie-Talkies, In-Reach, etc. will be cleaned with a disinfectant wipe before and after that day's hike. 

Traveling to the Trailhead:

Hikers may use their own personal vehicles to travel to the Trail Head or carpool with other hikers.  Please do not ask to ride with another hiker at the meet up, if you want to share rides, arrange this personally in advance.

Hiking:

Hikers are encouraged to maintain a social distancing of at least 6-feet while hiking. When encountering other hikers or bicycles, hikers should step at least 6 feet off the trail if possible or put on their mask. At breaks, please maintain a safe distance by sitting/standing at least 6 feet away from other hikers. Hikers are welcome to wear face masks while hiking if they choose to do so. Please be aware that others may not be wearing masks.

If you cough or sneeze, do so into a handkerchief or your sleeve to reduce the spread of droplets. If you feel unwell during a hike, inform the Hike Leader immediately. All hikers must carry a mask and disposable gloves on every hike in case of an emergency. In case of a first aid scenario, the person(s) rendering first aid should wear disposable gloves and a facemask. Disposable gloves, hand- sanitizer and/or wipes also need to be added to the required items to carry for each Hiker. Wearing glasses or goggles is also recommended. Each hiker should carry an empty plastic bag to dispose of items needed to render first aid.