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.   

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 Dana Thomas PCHCPres@gmail.com or 907-590-4425. 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. Hikers should wear a mask and/or maintain at least 6 feet of separation at the meet up to protect fellow hikers.

Hiking Group Size Limitation and Advance Sign-ups:

Hiking groups will be limited to a maximum of 12 hikers to limit potential exposure. This approach is consistent with the PebbleCreek guidance posted on the HOA website. Multiple hiking groups (of up to 12 each) may be formed if there are sufficient leaders identified in advance of the hike. Hikers must sign-up in advance of the hike on a first-come first served basis.

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, will be the only person to use that pen/ pencil, 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. 

Hikers should avoid handshaking, hugging, or touching each other, unless the other person is your spouse/ partner. Please do not ask another hiker to get an item out of your pack and maintain social distancing.

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. The club is purchasing additional walkie-talkies and medical kits to support additional groups and we encourage members to purchase and carry their own walkie-talkies.

Per club Standard Operating Procedures, the hike leader and sweep retain the right to deny participation because of group size limitations or request a hiker sit out or step back from a hike if the hiker is deemed not physically capable or is lacking proper equipment or adequate water or food.

Traveling to the Trailhead:

The club recommends that Hikers use their own personal vehicles to travel to the Trail Head; spouses/partners may travel together. If non-spouse Hikers choose to travel with each other, we recommend that they wear facemasks while in the vehicle. The driver should wipe with disinfectant the door handles, seats and other items touched in the car before and after the hike. Please do not ask to ride with another hiker at the meet up, if you want to share rides, arrange this personally in advance.

If hikers choose to ride with someone, please sort out an equitable approach, e.g., take turns driving or sharing expenses, on your own. The club will not provide the suggested driver donation.
The Hike Leader should communicate with the group to make sure no one feels pressured to take someone in their car if they have chosen not to do so.

Hiking:

Hikers should 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.

Monday, January 18, 2021 – No A hike this week.

Monday, January 18, 2021 – Three Peaks Loop (Phoenix Sonoran Preserve). Rating B. EARLY DEPARTURE – meet at 6:30am and depart by 6:45am. Bill Halte or Marilyn Reynolds will lead. This is a 10.6-mile loop hike with an elevation gain of 1900 ft. This is a new trail system made up of well-maintained trails. The hike loops around and up to three peaks in the preserve going through typical desert terrain. The hike provides excellent views in all directions. After good spring rains this would be a great wildflower viewing hike. No restrooms at the trailhead. No park fee. Driving distance is 68 miles RT.

http://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/PhoenixSonoranPreserve-1/Three-Peak-Loop

Directions to Phoenix Sonoran Preserve South

Take 303 North to I-17.

Turn South (right) on I-17.

Turn East (left) on Jomax Road (exit 219, should be the 1st exit).

Turn North (left) on Norterra Parkway (should be the 1st light).

Turn right on North Valley Parkway (a “T” intersection).

Go .2 miles and turn left on Copperhead Trail.

Go .1 miles and turn left on W Melvern Trail.

Go .2 miles and turn right on Desert Vista Trail.

Go to the end of the road.

Trailhead is at the end of the road.

There is no park fee.

Monday, January 18, 2021 – Dutchman to Miner’s Needle (Superstition Mountains). Rating C. EARLY DEPARTURE – GROUP 1 Meet at 6:30 am and Depart by 6:45 am and GROUP 2 meet at 7:00 am and depart by 7:15 am. Ron Hoffman will lead. This 7-mile out-and-back hike with an elevation gain of approximately 1000 feet starts at the Peralta Trailhead off Route 60 east of Phoenix and goes through an interesting Saguaro forest along the Miner’s Needle trail on the way to the base of Miners Needle, which has a hole (arch) in it. Restrooms are at the trailhead. No park fee.

http://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/SuperstitionWilderness/Miners-Needle

Directions to Superstitions - Peralta Trailhead Access Peralta Trail #102, Dutchman’s Trail #104, Bluff Springs Trail #235 to “50 in 1” saguaro cactus. 

Take I-10 east to Hwy 60 east (HOV all the way). Go 8.5 mi past Apache J to the Peralta Rd turnoff (approx. 32 mi. from I-10). Turn left and the trailhead is about 9 miles north on this road. The last 8 miles are on a well-maintained dirt road. Restrooms are at the trailhead.

Tuesday, January 19, 2021 – Coachwhip/Flatland Loop (Thunderbird Park - Glendale). Rating D. Kay Thomas will lead. This is a lollipop loop of 4.7 miles with an elevation gain of 500 ft. It offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding areas. Trail H-2 provides a view of a housing development wrapped around a series of canals (water, water everywhere). Arrowhead, Lake including this development, was built on former citrus orchards, and is considered one of the Valley’s most affluent neighborhoods (a 2001 survey found that the area’s 85308 zip code had more millionaires, 1011, than any other in the valley). Trail surface - rough bare rock on portions of trail. There are restrooms at the trailhead. There is no park fee. Driving distance is approx. 50 miles RT - on paved roads.

https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/ThunderbirdConservationPark/Coachwhip-Ridgeline-Trails

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.

Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - Inside/Outside Trail Meander (Estrella Foothills Park) SR/PA/RR/GR//UT/UY/SU/BU/BL/SR Loop (Estrella Mountains). Rating B. Eileen Lords Mosse or Kris Raczkiewicz will lead.

This is a 10-mile lollipop loop hike with an elevation gain of 1100 ft. The hike starts at the parking lot of the Estrella Foothills High School and heads south before cutting in to go up a high saddle. It then goes up and around the top. The hike heads out to some of the lesser-travelled perimeter trails before returning to the high school. Trail condition - mostly a very good hiking trail in typical desert terrain. Restrooms are on the left by the ballpark. No park fee. Driving distance is 27 miles RT.

Directions to Estrella Foothills Park - High School Trailhead

Turn left out the main gate onto Pebble Creek Pkwy (south), which becomes Estrella Pkwy on the other side of I-10.

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.

Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - Baseline/Rainbow/Dysart/Toothaker Loop (Estrella Mtn Regional Park).  Rating C. Carol Rice will lead. This is a 7.7-mile loop hike with an elevation gain of 900 ft.  The trail wanders through the front portion of EMRP with distant views to the north.  It then goes south into more typical desert areas.  Trail condition - a very good hiking trail.  There’s a Porta-John at trailhead.  Park fee is $7.00 per car.   Driving distance is 20 miles RT. 

http://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/EstrellaMountainRegionalPark/Baseline-Rainbow-Dysart

Directions to Estrella Mountain Regional Park - Baseline Loop TH

Turn left onto Pebble Creek Pkw/Estrella Pkw and go to the other side of I-10.

Turn left onto Vineyard Ave. just across the Gila River.

Turn right just past the golf course entrance into Estrella Mountain Park.

Pay park fee of $7.00 per vehicle…continue straight on Casey Abbott Dr North. Turn right on Casey Abbott Dr South (first turn past turn-in to Nature Center).

Baseline Spur trailhead is just past the amphitheater.

There is a porta-john near the trailhead.

Thursday, January 21, 2021 - Marcus Landslide/East End/Tom’s Thumb Loop (McDowell Sonoran Preserve) Rating B. EARLY DEPARTURE – meet at 6:15 am and depart by 6:30 am.  Clare Bangs will lead. This hike combines multiple trails into a “B” level loop of approximately 10.6 miles with 2,100 ft. elevation gain. It first climbs from the north to Tom’s Thumb on a short but steep trail and then proceeds south on East End (very steep)-Windmill-Coachwhip-Pemberton-Boulder-Marcus Landslide in a CCW loop, eventually passing in front of the Marcus Landslide area. There are great views to the east and north including the Superstitions and Four Peaks areas, plus views of impressive granite boulders. No park fee. Restrooms are at the trailhead (no water). Driving distance is 108 miles RT.

https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/McDowellSonoranPreserve/MarcusLandslideRock-Knob-Loop

Directions to McDowell Sonoran Preserve - Tom’s Thumb Trailhead (108 mi. RT) Take Loop 303 North to I-17. Turn left (North) on I-17. But stay right and immediately take exit 222 going right onto Dove Valley Road. Follow Dove Valley Road about 10 miles (becomes Sonoran Desert Dr.) Take Cave Creek Road North (left). Turn right on Dynamite Blvd (becomes Rio Verde). Turn right on Alma School Road. Turn left on Jomax Road. Turn right on 118th St. Turn left on Ranch Gate Road. Turn right on 128th St. Stay left as the road runs into the new trailhead. There are restrooms but no water at trailhead.

Thursday, January 21, 2021 - Highways & Byways trail to Marty’s Loop.  (Dogbone area;Buckeye).  Rating D.  Dennis Zigmunt will lead. This is an easy 4.5-mile desert walk with interesting rock formations and views of surrounding mountains.  About 450’ elevation gain.  No park fee.  No restrooms. 

Directions to Dog Bone Joe Fosse Trailhead (Buckeye) 

Go West on I-10 to Highway 85. Drive South on Hwy 85 for about 9 miles. Turn left opposite the Buckeye Hills regional Park (and Joe Fosse Shooting Range). Park on the left just before the fence. The trail starts on the other side of the fence heading left (parallel to Hwy 85).

Friday, January 22, 2021 - Javelina Summit Loop (Skyline – Buckeye). Rating B+. Lynn Warren will lead. This hike is a 10.1-mile, 2550 ft elevation gain hike. This is a strenuous hike on one of the newer trails to Javelina Summit…great views of the valley and the golf course below. The hike will combine trails QM, Tortuga, Javelina Summit, Lost Creek, Turnbuckle and Valley Vista Summit. Trail condition - good hiking trail. No park fee. Restrooms are at the trailhead. Directions to Skyline Regional Park Trailhead (Driving distance is 30 miles RT) Go West on I-10. Turn north (right) on Watson Road. Drive to the end of road and trailhead parking. 

Friday, January 22, 2021 - Dixie Mine + Prospector’s trails (Fountain Hills). Rating C. Ann Rohlman will lead. This is a 7.2 mile out and back hike with an elevation change of 1100 ft. The .6 mile trail in Fountain Hills is along a paved sidewalk in an exclusive neighborhood. The Dixie Mile trail then enters the McDowell Mountain Park (where you pay $2). At 2.5 miles you see the remnants of the Dixie mine. Turn left on the jeep road for .3 miles. Prospector trail then goes off to the right and up the mountain to a scenic overlook. You can see the Fountain Hills fountain from here if your timing is right (on the hour). There is a crested saguaro at the entrance to the parking lot, which is on the left just before the gated entrance to the neighborhood. Restrooms and cold water are at the trailhead. Park fee is $2.00 per person. Driving distance is 110 miles RT.

http://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/PhoenixSonoranPreserve-1/Dixie-Mt-Loop

Directions to Dixie Mine Trail, Fountain Hills, AZ

Take Hwy 101 north Exit onto Shea Blvd east (Exit 41, turn left) and go approx.. 6 mi. Turn north (left) onto Palisades Blvd.

Turn left on Sunridge Drive. Turn left onto Golden Eagle Blvd and drive to the entry gate. Trailhead parking is on the left just before the entry gate. [there is a crested saguaro at the entrance to the parking area] Restrooms and water are at the trailhead. The trail starts across the street and goes left on the sidewalk past the entry gate. 

Saturday, January 23, 2021 - Competitive Track – Long Loop (Estrella Mountain Regional Park). 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 Pebble Creek 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 on to the parking on the right.

Saturday, January 23, 2021 - Estrella Foothills Park Blackjack Loop II  SR/PA/RR/GR/UY/BJ/JL/SR Loop (Estrella Mountains).  Rating C.  Marilyn Reynolds will lead. This is a 7-mile lollipop loop hike with an elevation gain of 1000 ft.  The hike starts at the parking lot of the Estrella Foothills High School and goes up to a high saddle.  It then goes up and across the highest ridgeline (Blackjack trail) in the area and makes a small loop around the top.  This part of the trail offers outstanding views of the entire southwest valley.  The hike is in typical desert terrain.  Trail condition - mostly an excellent hiking trail with one section of edginess across the ridgeline.  No park fee.  Restrooms are the trailhead.  Driving distance is 27 miles RT. 

https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Estrella-Foothills

Directions to Estrella Foothills Park - High School Trailhead 

Turn right out the main gate onto Pebble Creek Pkwy (south), which becomes Estrella Pkwy on the other side of I-10. 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.