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.   

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.

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.

During the month of April, we will meet for hikes at 6:30 and depart at 6:40 unless otherwise noted.  Look at individual hikes for early meet and depart times.  Below are the hikes for the coming week: 

Monday, April 19, 2021 – Bell Pass, (McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale).  Rating B.  EARLY DEPARTURE – Meet at EN at 6:00 a.m. and depart by 6:10 a.m.  Marilyn Reynolds or Bill Halte will lead.  This is an 8.4 mile out and back hike with an elevation change of 1470 ft.  The hike starts on the Gateway Trail and passes through a large Saguaro forest.  Just past the saddle you can see the fountain at Fountain Hills.  The fountain operates 7 days a week, on the hour for 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.  On windy days, the fountain may not be operating. If the wind reaches 10 miles per hour, the fountain automatically turns itself off.  The fountain will show up between you and Weavers Needle.  Distant views include Four Peaks, Weavers Needle, Fountain Hills, and Scottsdale.  Restrooms and water are at the trailhead.  No park fee.  Driving distance is 88 miles RT. http://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/McDowellSonoranPreserve/Gateway-Loop-Windgate-Pass

Directions to McDowell Sonoran Preserve - Gateway Trailhead Take Hwy 101 north all the way around to Scottsdale. Exit at Princess/Pima-Bell road (exit #36).  Continue straight through the light to get to Bell Road.  Turn east (left) on Bell Road and go approx. 1.4 miles.  Turn north (left) onto Thompson Peak Parkway.  Turn right into trailhead parking 0.5 mi. up the road. Restrooms and water are at the trailhead.

Monday, April 19, 2021 -  Fat Man's Pass from the East (South Mountain).  Rating C.  Pete Williams will lead.  This is a 7.1 mi. round trip hike with an elevation gain of about 960 ft.  A nice hike to Fat Man’s Pass starting in Ahwatukee at the 48thStreet entrance to South Mountain Park. The trail starts out flat going out of the parking lot on an old road, then climbs to Hidden Valley where it loops back through large rocks and tunnels. There are great views of the valley from the ridge on which we will be hiking. This popular trail is considered to be fun by many hikers.  Trail condition – an average hiking trail, but a steady climb up to Hidden Valley and Hidden Valley is a .5 mile rock scramble.  Restrooms are at the trailhead.  There are no park fees.  Driving distance is approx 86 mi RT.

http://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Other-4/Fat-Mans-Pass-East

Directions to South Mountain Park (East) Pima Canyon Trailhead - Take I-10 east.  Take exit 138 onto 202 South.  Take exit 55 A-B to merge onto I-10 West.  Take exit 157 (Elliot Road).  Turn left on Elliot Road.  Turn right onto S 48th St.  Turn left to stay on S 48th St.  Turn left onto Pima Canyon Rd. 

Follow Pima Canyon Rd into South Mountain Park. 

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 – Brown’s Ranch - (McDowell Sonoran Preserve) - Cathedral Rock Ampitheater - Rating D+.  Gary Baker will lead.  The Cathedral Rock/Ampitheater portion is a 5.7 loop with an elevation gain of about 500 ft.  There are great views of the surrounding mountains Four Peaks, the Boulders and Tom’s Thumb, etc.) as well as great rock formations along the trail with many different cacti species.  Trail condition - very good hiking trail.  There is a nice restroom at the trailhead and no park fee.  Driving is 100 miles RT. 

http://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/McDowellSonoranPreserve/BrownMountain  

Directions to McDowell Sonoran Preserve - Brown’s Ranch 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 (later changes to Rio Verde).  Turn left on Alma School Road. The road dead ends at the trailhead.  There are restrooms at the trailhead.

Wednesday, April 21, 2021.  Palo Verde Trail #512 (Bartlett Reservoir).  Rating B.  Rating B.  Eileen Lords Mosse or Kris Raczkiewicz will lead.  This is a 8.9 mile hike.  It has little elevation change, but an elevation gain of about 1500 ft.  The trail is loose, decomposed granite; consequently, please wear proper hiking footwear.  This is a lovely hike with continuous water views.  The Bartlett Reservoir is part of the Verde River between New River and Mazatzal Mountains.  It is visible the entire hike.  Trail condition – mostly granular granite and sandy/rocky beach.  Restrooms are at the Rattlesnake Trailhead.  The park is free with a Golden Age Parks Pass (put pass in the window).  Restrooms and water at the trailhead.  Driving distance is ~136 miles RT.

Directions to Bartlett Reservoir - Palo Verde Trail - Take Loop 303 to I-17.  Go North on I-17.  Turn right on Hwy 74 (Carefree Highway).  Turn left on Scottsdale Road/Tom Darlington Drive (at Boulders Resort).  Turn right on Cave Creek Road.  Turn right on Bartlett Dam Road.  Stop at Ranger Station (.25 mi down rd on left) & pay $7fee (free w/Golden Age Pass).  Follow signs to lake (about 13 miles).  Turn right on Rattlesnake Cove turnoff and drive .8 miles to trailhead.  Follow the paved path at the North end of the facility to the fishing dock.  Trailhead starts to the left where the paved path meets the dock.

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 - Granite Mountain Loop (McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale).  Rating C.  Mary Hill will lead.  This is a 7.3 mile loop hike with an elevation gain of 500 ft.  It passes through three different “forests” - Saguaro, Jumping Cholla, and two types of Yucca.  There are excellent views of the surrounding mountains as well as numerous granite rock formations.  You get nice views from the Balanced Rock formation on the second half of the hike.  Balanced Rock is a gigantic granite boulder balancing on its pointy end.  This is one of the most scenic trails within an hour of Pebble Creek.  Trail condition – Great hiking trail.  Nice restrooms at the trailhead. No park fee.  Driving distance is 110 miles RT. http://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/McDowellSonoranPreserve/Granite-Mt-North

Directions to McDowell Sonoran Preserve - 136th St Trailhead - Take Loop 303 North to I-17.  Turn left (North) on I-17. . .stay right and immediately take exit 222 going right onto Dove Valley Road.  Follow Dove Valley Rd about 10 miles as it changes name to Sonoran Desert Dr.  Take Cave Creek Road North (left) and turn right at next light on Dynamite Blvd.  Follow Dynamite (name changes to Rio Verde) and turn left on 136th Street. For Granite Mt Loop, drive about 2 mi and park on the left under the power lines.  There are nice restrooms at trailhead.

Thursday, April 22, 2021 – Eagletail Mountains - Ben Avery & Arch Loop.  Rating B.  Early Meet 6:00/Departure 6:10 a.m.  Clare Bangs will lead.  This is 9-10+ mile hike with an elevation gain of 1000 ft.  There are views of Courthouse Rock for most of the hike.  From the trailhead, it is 3.6 miles along an old jeep trail and in a wash to over 100 Native American petroglyphs.  The trail to the petroglyphs is fairly easy hiking.  To get to the arch you follow an old road, then go through a wash before bushwhacking up a steep hill of loose rock and stones to reach the arch.  Trail condition - good hiking trail to the petroglyphs then a semi-bushwhack to the arch and back. There are no facilities at the trailhead and no park fee.  Driving distance is 130 miles RT. https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/EagletailMountainsWildernessAr/EagletailMountains-Arches

Directions to Eagletail Mountains - Ben Avery Trailhead Go West on I-10 to Exit 81 (Salome Road).  Turn South (left) across I-10.  Turn right on Harquahala Valley Road and go 6.0 miles.  Turn Right on Centennial, a straight dirt road (to the left is Courthouse Road).  Go 7.0 miles to a 3-way intersection (BLM Wilderness sign on the left).  Take the right fork, which parallels a natural gas pipeline.  Go 4.0 miles.  There is a BLM Wilderness sign off to the left about 50 ft.  Turn left and go 1.5 miles to trailhead.  The last .4 miles requires a high clearance vehicle, but you can park on the side and hike to the trailhead, adding .8 miles to the total hike.  The final 12.5 miles is on dirt roads, but the roads are good until the final .4 miles.  No facilities at the trailhead; rest stop on I-10 between Buckeye and exit 81.

Thursday, April 22, 2021 - Maricopa Trail-Tres Rios Wetlands.  Rating D.  Dennis Zigmunt will lead.  This is a 4-7 mile in and out hike with about 100’ of elevation gain.   This trail starts at Monument Hill just east of the Racetrack.  Trail travels along wetlands with flowing water, lots of vegetation and opportunities for viewing many bird species.  The Salt River and Gila River join just south of the park.  It’s a flat, easy, fun hike.  If more elevation is desired, you can climb Monument Hill, which is to the right after you cross the pedestrian bridge.  No entrance fee.  No restrooms.  

Directions to Tres Rios Trailhead - Turn left out the main gate onto PebbleCreek/Estrella Pkw (south).   South of I-10, turn left onto Vineyard Ave. just across the Gila River.   Continue past the Phoenix Raceway and turn right into a parking area just past the grandstand and before the river bridge. 

Friday, April 23, 2021 - Wilson Mountain – North Trail (Sedona).  Rating B+.  Lynn Warren will lead.  This is a 11.2-mile hike with an elevation gain of about 2500 ft.  It is a challenging but beautiful hike up the north side to the top of the highest peak around Sedona.  Trail condition – average hiking trail.  Restrooms are at the trailhead.

https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Category/Wilson-Mountain

Directions to Sedona - Wilson Mountain North Trail (Driving distance is 256 miles RT) North on Loop 303 to I-17.  North (left) on I-17 to exit 298 (Rte. 179).  Take Rte. 179 west (left) 15 miles to 89A.  Take Rte. 89A north (right) and continue up Oak Creek Canyon approx. 5.2 miles.  Turn left into Encinoso picnic area parking (trailhead).  The parking fee is $5.00 per car (Red Rock Pass) or free with a Golden Age Pass.  There are McDonalds at I-17 exits 262 and 28.

Friday, April 23, 2021 - Seven Springs area:  Maricopa Trail South from the Bronco Trailhead (Seven Springs Rec Area).  Rating C-B. Ann Rohlman will lead.  This is a 7 to 9.6-mile hike with an elevation change of 1000-1500 ft.  The 7-mile hike (1000 ft) goes to a bridge over a slot canyon.  An optional side hike is to drop down into the slot and go along it for a short distance.  The 9.6 mile hike (1500 ft) goes up to a high point overlooking the entire area.  There is no park fee despite approach signs along the road stating fees are required – this fee is for other forms of recreation, not hiking.  There is a restroom at the trailhead.  Driving distance is 130 miles (the last 3 miles are on an unpaved dirt road).

https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/CaveCreekRegionalPark/Maricopa-Trail

Directions to Cave Creek - Bronco Trailhead Take Loop 303 North to I-17.  Turn North (left) on I-17.  Turn right (east) on Carefree Hwy (Hwy 74) and drive to the end.  Turn left on Tom Darlington/Scottsdale Road (just in front of the Boulders Resort).  Turn right on Cave Creek Road.  Continue on Cave Creek Road past the turnoff to Bartlett Reservoir.  Drive about 8 miles to the Bronco Trailhead on the left.  Dirt road the last several miles.  Restrooms are at the trailhead.  No park fee.

Saturday, April 24, 2021 – Estrella Mountain Regional Park - Competitive Track – Long Loop.  Rating B.  Eileen Lords Mosse or Kris Raczkiewicz will lead.  This is a 9.6-mile loop hike with an elevation gain of 792 ft.  This hike goes through typical desert terrain with lots of Saguaro cactus. The first half of the hike goes up 700 ft very gradually, and then starts a slow descent before returning to the parking lot.  Trail condition - good hiking trail.  Driving distance is 26 miles RT.  There is a porta-john at the TH. 

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 ISM turn right.  Follow signs to trails.  Pay park fee of $7.00 per vehicle at the self-pay station.

Continue to the parking on the right.

Saturday, April 24, 2021 – Skyline Regional Park - Mountain Wash/

Turnbuckle/GraniteFalls/Pyrite/Chuckwalla/Turnbuckle/Mountain Wash.  Rating C.  Marilyn Reynolds will lead.  This is about a 7.5 mile hike with an elevation gain of about 1200 ft. in the Western part of Buckeye’s Skyline Regional Park.   This is one of the trail loops in Buckeye’s Skyline Regional Park.  Trail condition - good hiking trail. No park fee.  Restrooms are at the trailhead.  Driving distance is 30 miles RT.  

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

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

Facilities are at the trailhead.  

Stay Safe and Happy Hiking! 

Marilyn Reynolds, President

PebbleCreek Hiking Club