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.

  During the month of June, the C and D hikes which originate at Tuscany Falls will meet at 6:00 a.m. and leave at 6:10 a.m.  B Hikes which originate at Eagle’s Nest will meet at 5:30 a.m. and leave at 5:40 a.m.  Please check individual hikes for variations from this schedule.

Monday, June 21, 2021—Buckeye Dog Bone East--Rating B.  Marilyn Reynolds or Bill Halte will lead.  This is an in and out hike of approximately 9 miles and 1200 feet of elevation.  While the overall hike is through typical desert terrain, there are several interesting rock formations as well as views of the surrounding mountains.  Trail condition – typical desert trail with the last part of the B hike being a bushwhack.  No restrooms at the trailhead.  No park fee.  Driving distance is 32 miles RT. https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Buckeye-Dog-Bone-Trails/C-Exploratory-HikeDog-BoneEastLynnW2018-2019/

Directions to Dog Bone – Airport Road Trailhead (Buckeye) Head south from the Tuscany Falls Clubhouse on Sarival Ave.  Drive 5 miles and turn right onto MC 85.  Go 4.8 miles and turn left onto Jackrabbit Trail which becomes S Tuthill Rd.  Continue for 2.2 miles and turn right onto W Elliot Rd.  Go 1 mile and turn left onto left onto S Airport Rd.  Drive 2 miles, trailhead is on the right, park along the shoulder just north or south.

Monday, June 21, 2021--Estrella Foothills--Cairn Canyon--SR/PA/RR/GR/UT/PC/JL Loop.  EARLY DEPARTURE:  Meet at 5:30 and Depart at 5:40 a.m.--Rating C.  Dana Thomas will lead.  This is a 6.4-mile loop hike with an elevation gain of 600 ft.  The hike starts at the parking lot of the Estrella Foothills High School and goes through several washes and up over a couple of saddles. The hike is in typical desert terrain.  Trail condition - average hiking trail.  No park fee.  Restrooms are at the trailhead.  Driving distance is 27 miles RT.
https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Estrella-Foothills
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.  Restrooms are on the left by the ballpark.  No park fee.

Tuesday, June 22, 2021—Lake Pleasant Regional Park--Wild Burro/Pipeline Trails to floating bridge.  EARLY DEPARTURE:  Meet at 5:30 and Depart at 5:40--Rating D.  Kay Thomas will lead.  This is 4.4 mile in and out hike with an elevation gain of 500 ft.  The hike starts out at the Twisted Talon parking area and goes north to a floating bridge.  The Wild Burro trail goes along the lake around a small cove before rising to the Pipeline Trailhead and then on to an unusual floating bridge.  There is a good chance to see wild burros on this trail.  Restrooms and water are at the trailhead.  Park fee is $7.00.  Driving distance is 80 miles RT.

https:// pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Other-12/Wild-Burro-Trail

Directions to Ramada 9 (Wild Burro) - Lake Pleasant Regional Park--Drive north on 303 to Lake Pleasant Road.  Turn left (north) on Lake Pleasant Road to Arizona 74.  Turn left (west) and continue to Castle Hot Springs Road and turn right (North).  Go 2.1 miles and turn right onto Lake Pleasant Access Road.  Pay $7.00 park fee then turn right on South Park Road.  Turn left on Desert Tortoise Road and drive about .25 miles. Trailhead is on the left. Restrooms are at this trailhead.

Wednesday, June 23, 2021—Skyline Regional Park.  Mountain Wash/Turnbuckle/Granite Falls/Chuckwalla Loop.  EARLY DEPARTURE:  Meet at 5:30 and Depart at 5:40 a.m.--Rating C.  Dana Thomas will lead.  This is about a 7-mile loop hike with an elevation gain of about 1200 ft. in the Western part of 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.   

Thursday, June 24, 2021.  White Tank Mountain Regional Park--Mule Deer/Bajada/Goat Camp Overlook/South/Mule Deer Loop.  Rating B.  Marilyn Reynolds will lead.  This is an 8.4 mile loop.  Restrooms in the library.  There is a $2/person park fee.  Driving distance is 30 miles RT. http://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/WhiteTankMountainRegionalPark/Mule-DeerWaterfall

Directions to White Tank Mountains Regional Park--Take 303 North. Exit at Northern and turn West. Turn right on Cotton.  Turn left on Olive and follow it to the park gate. Park fee is $2.00 per hiker).  Library trailhead: turn right just before the gate and park on the left side of the library.  Trail goes off the end of the sidewalk on the left of the building.  Mule Deer trail can be accessed at the library.

Thursday, June 24, 2021.   White Tank Mountain Regional Park.  Library North Trail.  Rating D.   Barb Kripps will lead.  This is a 4+ mile in and out hike with an elevation gain of 350 ft.  We head north from the White Tanks library with expansive views of the west valley, before taking our break at Ramada #4 and then returning to the library.  For those interested in seeing some of the desert wildlife in a controlled environment, there is a small nature center with several rattlesnakes, a Gila Monster, a tarantula, and some scorpions (safely behind glass). Restrooms are in the library and Ramada #4. Park Fee is $7.00. Driving distance is 24 miles RT.

Directions to White Tank Mountains Regional Park--Take 303 North (right). Exit at Northern (next to zoo) and turn left (West). Turn right on Cotton. Turn left on Olive and follow it to the park gate. Park fee is $7.00/car for all trailheads (except from the library which is $2.00 per hiker). Restrooms are inside the library for the hikes from the library.

Friday, June 25, 2021—Estrella Mountain Regional Park--Desert Rose to Gadsden Trail.  EARLY DEPARTURE:  Meet at 5:30 and Depart at 5:40 a.m.--Rating C.  Dana Thomas will lead.  This is a 5 to 7 mile in-and-out hike with an elevation gain of 800 ft.  The trail meanders through typical desert terrain with many bushes and Saguaro cactus.  There is no restroom at the trailhead.  Trail condition - average hiking trail. Park fee is $7.00.  Driving distance is 26 miles RT. 

https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/EstrellaMountainRegionalPark/Desert-RoseGadsden 

Directions to Estrella Mountain Regional Park – Desert Rose Trailhead 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 PIR turn right Follow signs to trails Pay park fee of $7.00 per vehicle at the self-pay station Angle right immediately after the self-pay station into the open parking area. Drive across at a 45-degree angle – there is a trail sign indicating the trailhead. No restrooms are at the trailhead.

Saturday, June 26, 2021 – Estrella Mountain Regional Park.

Quail/Rainbow/Dysart/Toothaker Loop (Estrella Mtn Regional Park). Rating C.  Marilyn Reynolds will lead.  This is a 7-mile loop hike with an elevation gain of 800 ft. The trail goes from the Nature Center and 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 are restrooms at trailhead.  Park fee is $7.00 per car.  Driving distance is 20 miles RT. https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/EstrellaMountainRegionalPark/Quail-Trailhead

Directions to Estrella Mountain Regional Park – Quail Trailhead 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 at the turn-in to Nature Center.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

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.