
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.
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 Monday, November 20th at 7pm in the Palm Room located in the Eagles Nest clubhouse. 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.
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.
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?
The Special Event Committee want to know! Click below to describe your ideas for new hiking club events!
Be prepared for safely hiking in the summer heat!
DATE: Monday, December 4, 2023
HIKE: No Monday A Hike Scheduled
DATE: Monday, December 4, 2023
HIKE: C Hike - Spur Cross Ranch CA - Metate, Spur Cross, Fairy Duster, Dragonfly (PCHC # 199).
REGULAR START TIME: 7:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Ron Hoffman
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 7.5 mile clockwise loop hike with an elevation gain of 1000 feet. The trail crosses Cave Creek a few times (using wooden planks or rock hopping). The Metate Trail goes through a forest of very large saguaros. The Spur Cross Trail goes for a couple of miles through typical desert terrain. The Dragonfly Trail goes through a riparian area known for its many bird species. Trail condition: overall an average hiking trail with a couple of stony creek crossings.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Metate Trailhead TRAILS: Spur Cross, Metate, Fairy Duster, Dragonfly
FEES AND FACILITIES: Park fee is $3 per person or free with a Maricopa Park Pass (up to five hikers per pass). Portajohns .25 mile from trailhead on spur cross trail.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Head north on PebbleCreek Parkway to Indian School Road, turn west (left) and take Loop 303 North following it until it ends at I17. Go north on I17 to second exit Highway 74. Turn right on Highway 74 (Carefree Highway). Turn left (north) on Cave Creek Road (approximately 9.5 miles. Watch for road after 53rd). Turn left (north) on Spur Cross Road (main road veers left). Go 4.5 miles (1.5 is gravel) to the parking area on the right. Walk down the road .1 miles and pay. DRIVING DISTANCE:110 miles
URL PHOTOS:https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/SpurCrossRanchConservationArea/Metate-Dragonfly-Trails
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Spur-Cross-Conservation-Area/
PCHC TRAIL ID: 199
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $8
DATE: Monday, December 4, 2023
HIKE: No B hike today.
DATE: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
HIKE: D Hike - Lake Pleasant Area - Maricopa Trail, Lake Pleasant East (PCHC # 114).
REGULAR START TIME: 7:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Art Solorio
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 4 mile in and out hike with an elevation gain of 500 feet. The hike goes across the front of the Lake Pleasant Dam about half mile away. It goes through several washes as it climbs up above the level of the dam. It goes below though not under the Arizona Canal (you have to do the hike to see why). Lots of typical desert brush including many types of cacti. This trail can be combined with the Morgan City Wash trail to form a nice 7 mile hike.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Morgan City Wash Trailhead TRAILS: Maricopa Trail
FEES AND FACILITIES: There are no park fees. There are no restrooms at the trailhead.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Morgan City Wash Trail (Lake Pleasant). Drive north on PebbleCreek Parkway to Indian School Road and turn west (left) to take Loop 303 North to Lake Pleasant Road. Turn left (north) on Lake Pleasant Road to Highway 74. Turn left (west) and drive past Milepost 22. Turn right on Beardsley CSR Road a couple of hundred yards past Milepost 22. Drive about a quarter mile to the Maricopa Trail Trailhead on the left just as the road turns right. DRIVING DISTANCE: 64 miles
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Lake-Pleasant-Area/i-Gj5b6fT
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4aoxdTn198EIEcbd9Q?e=y1mXLn
PCHC TRAIL ID: 114
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $5
DATE: Wednesday, December 6, 2023
HIKE: B Hike - Superstition Mountains - Praying Hands, Hidden Canyon, Massacre Falls Loop (PCHC # 565).
REGULAR START TIME: 7:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Lynn Warren
DESCRIPTION: This hike is an 8.9 mile counter clockwise loop hike with an elevation gain of 2000 feet. You start on Jacobs Crosscut Trail for one mile, passing through typical desert terrain with lots of saguaros and jumping cholla. Then turn left (uphill) on Trail 56. Up the hill past a rock cropping is a bench at the junction with a trail going left. This is the Praying Hands Trail and will pass to the right of the lower rock outcropping known as Praying Hands. There are several winding trails that get you up to the saddle, so take any of them that head toward Praying Hands. There are great views of the valley and various rock formations as you travel along the trail. Once you get past the Praying Hands rock formation, the trail is marked by cairns. Massacre Falls will appear around the 6 mile point off to the right. After stopping at the falls, you take the trail angling right back down the mountain to the trailhead. Trail condition: the first and last thirds are good hiking surfaces, with the middle third a boulder covered bushwhack.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Crosscut Trailhead TRAILS: Jacobs Crosscut #58, Praying Hands Trail #56, Massacre Falls Trail
FEES AND FACILITIES: There are no restrooms (though you can go 1.5 miles further up the road to the 1st Water trailhead which has restrooms and then return to the trailhead). No park fee from this trailhead.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Superstitions Crosscut Trailhead: Head south on PebbleCreek Parkway to I10. Go east on I10. Exit onto Loop 202 East (carpool lane exit is on left). Turn left on Brown Road to Apache Trail (Highway 88). (Brown Road changes to Lost Dutchman Boulevard in Pinal County). Turn left onto Apache Trail (Highway 88) and go past Lost Dutchman State Park to FS 78 (near mile marker 201). Turn right and follow this dirt road approximately 1 mile. Parking for the Crosscut trailhead is on the right. The Praying Hands hike heads straight out on the Crosscut trail. The Massacre Falls hike heads off to the left, right in front of the parking area. DRIVING DISTANCE:122 miles
URL PHOTOS: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/SuperstitionWilderness/Massacre-Falls-Trail
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Superstition-Wilderness-/i-8R7GMJS/A
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4al2SLC8ZXU7wwvPNf?e=M6mvTk
PCHC TRAIL ID: 565
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $9
DATE: Wednesday, December 6, 2023
HIKE: C Hike - South Mountain Park - Pyramid, Bursera, Gila Loop (PCHC # 339).
REGULAR START TIME: 7:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Mary Hill
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 6.6 mile clockwise loop hike with an elevation gain of 1200 feet. Starting from the south side of South Mountain, we hike up a ridge to the west with great views of the Estrella Mountains and areas to the south. We then drop into a valley of typical desert vegetation. We then return up over a saddle and down through a second valley. You can take an optional .25 mile trail to the ruins before going back to the trailhead.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Pyramid Trailhead TRAILS: Pyramid, Bursera, Gila
FEES AND FACILITIES: Restrooms at the trailhead. No parking fee.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Head south on PebbleCreek Parkway, then go east (left) on I10. Turn south on 202. Take the exit for 17th Avenue (exit 62) and go left/north under the highway. Turn left on Chandler Boulevard. Turn right on 19th Avenue (there is no road sign). Turn left into the trailhead parking lot. DRIVING DISTANCE: 90 miles
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/South-Mountain-Park/
PCHC TRAIL ID: 339
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $7
DATE: Thursday, December 7, 2023
HIKE: B Hike - Lake Pleasant RP - Beardsley Trail from Maricopa Trailhead (PCHC # 143).
REGULAR START TIME: 7:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Kris Raczkiewicz or Eileen Lords Mosse
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 9.1 mile in and out hike with an elevation gain of 1100 feet. The hike starts below the Lake Pleasant Dam and crosses the usually dry Agua Fria River in a wooded area. It then goes across a road and goes parallel to the Morgan City Wash. The second half of the hike goes through a saguaro forest. About a mile from the end is a very odd, crested saguaro on the left. There is a good chance to see wild burros on this trail. The turnaround point is the campground in the park with some views of the lake.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Morgan City Wash Trailhead TRAILS: Beardsley
FEES AND FACILITIES: There are no restrooms at the trailhead. There is no park fee from this trailhead.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Morgan City Wash Trail. Drive north on PebbleCreek Parkway to Indian School Road, turn west (left) and take Loop 303 North. Turn right (north) on 303 to Lake Pleasant Road. Turn left (north) on Lake Pleasant Road to Highway 74. Turn left (west) and drive past MP 22. Turn right on Beardsley CSR Road a couple of hundred yards past MP 22. Drive about a quarter mile to the Maricopa Trail Trailhead on the left as the road turns right. DRIVING DISTANCE: 64 miles
URL PHOTOS: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Other-12/Beardsley-Trail
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Lake-Pleasant-Regional-Park/i-hdKfG28
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4amSJwFHZlyujz0-lb
PCHC TRAIL ID: 143
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $5
DATE: Thursday, December 7, 2023
HIKE: D Hike - McDowell SP - Bootlegger, Granite Mountain, Turpentine (PCHC # 256).
REGULAR START TIME: 7:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Art Solorio
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 4.5 mile counter clockwise loop hike with an elevation gain of 500 feet. It passes through a large boulder field of interesting shapes. It finishes by going through a small area of turpentine bushes. There are 3 rock formations that look like camels along the final section of the trail. There are excellent views of the surrounding mountains as well as numerous granite rock formations. This is one of the most scenic trails within an hour of PebbleCreek.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Granite Mountain Trailhead TRAILS: Bootlegger, Granite Mt., Black Hill, Turpentine
FEES AND FACILITIES: Restroom at the trailhead. No park fee.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Granite Mountain Trailhead: Head north on PebbleCreek Parkway, turn west (left) on Indian School Road, then take Loop 303 North and follow until it ends at I17. Go north on I17. Turn right on Dove Valley Road. Turn left on Cave Creek Road. Turn right of Dynamite Road. Turn left on 136th Street and then left into the parking lot. DRIVING DISTANCE: 110 miles
URL PHOTOS: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/McDowellSonoranPreserve/Granite-Mt-North
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/McDowell-Sonoran-Preserve/i-PGCBq8V/A
PCHC TRAIL ID: 256
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $8
DATE: Friday, December 8, 2023
HIKE: B Challenge Hike - Wickenburg Area - Vulture Peak Trail (PCHC # 188).
REGULAR START TIME: 7:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Stacey Miller
REASON FOR CHALLENGE: scramble to the top, hand over hand.
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 4.6 mile in and out hike with an elevation gain of 1500 feet. The trail is easy to the base, moderate to the saddle where most hikers will stop. For those who wish to go to the top of Vulture Peak, that part is difficult and you leave walking sticks and backpacks behind for hand over hand climbing. Sign in at the top and you can get a certificate at the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce. Vulture Peak Trail meanders through classic Sonoran Desert landscapes, including dense stands of saguaro, ocotillo, cholla, and other cactus varieties; crosses wide desert washes; and offers dramatic scenic vistas of rugged desert mountain ranges and valleys in all directions.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Vulture Peak Trailhead TRAILS: Vulture Peak
FEES AND FACILITIES: Trailhead parking is available for 15 vehicles. No Restrooms . No park fees
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Wickenburg Vulture Peak Trailhead: Head north on PebbleCreek Parkway to Indian School Road, turn west (left) and then take Loop 303 North (right) to U.S. 60. Turn west (left) onto U.S. 60. Stay on U.S 60 for 2.5 miles after the first stop light in Wickenburg. Turn south (left) at the next stoplight onto the Vulture Mine Road. Then drive 6.9 miles to the trailhead turnoff (before mile marker 19). Directions to Wickenburg Vulture Peak Trailhead: Alternate. Head south on PebbleCreek Parkway to I10. Take I10 west to 339th Avenue (exit 103). Turn north (right) on 339th Ave until Indian School Road. Turn west (left) on Indian School Road to Wickenburg Road. Turn north (right) on Wickenburg Road to Vulture Mine Road. Turn east (right) on gravel road .5 miles to trailhead just past mile marker 19. DRIVING DISTANCE: 120 miles
URL PHOTOS: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Wickenburg/Vulture-Peak
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Wickenburg/i-kv9Jr5B
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4amSgIvAjYS2-2CAFu
PCHC TRAIL ID: 188
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $9
DATE: Friday, December 8, 2023
HIKE: C Hike - Verrado Area - Deadhead Pass Loop (PCHC # 623).
REGULAR START TIME: 7:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Dana Thomas
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 6.9 mile counter clockwise loop hike with an elevation gain of 678 feet. Head west from the parking lot. Turn right on caterpillar hill road and then quicly turn left on an unmarked trail: Tecate. Follow the Tecate trail north west 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 river bed and follow the trail as it loops in a south east direction back along the west side of Deadhead Pass. Follow this trail taking the Hiline trail around to Petroglyph Rock. From here take the trail behind the rock up and over Petro Ridge down to the junction with Lost Creek Trail. From here take trail that heads in a north easterly direction (Justins trail) to the junction with the Petroglyph Rock trail. Turn right and follow this trail back to Lost Creek Trail. Turn left and follow this trail back to the parking 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: Trails are not signposted. Follow the attached map or use an exisitng GPX if you are new to the area.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Lost Creek Trailhead TRAILS: Tacate, Cholla, Deadhead pass, Hiline, Widow Maker, Justins, Petroglyph Rock 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-4pC2Wcc/A
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4aoSoX29wT7G42Foax?e=ZaFJ8S
PCHC TRAIL ID: 623
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $2
DATE: Saturday, December 9, 2023
HIKE: B Hike - White Tank MRP - Mule Waterfall B hike (PCHC # 638).
REGULAR START TIME: 7:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Kris Raczkiewicz or Eileen Lords Mosse
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 10 mile double loop hike with an elevation gain of 875 feet. This hike begins at the library and proceeds south to hike a small loop of Mule Trail. Returning back to the library, proceeding on Mule, then left on Old Stable Rd. Turn right onto Bajada, following it into Mule Deer (MD). Go left on MD to R4, cross the road and take a left onto Black Rock (long) to the Waterfall. Returning on Mesquite, proceed east to the Wildlife trail and returning back on Mule.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Mule Deer Trailhead at Library TRAILS: Mule Deer, Old Stable Rd, Bajada, Black Rock, Waterfall, Mesquite, Wildlife
FEES AND FACILITIES: Restrooms at the library and Ramadas 3 and 4. Park fee is $7.00 per car for all trailheads (except from the library which is $2.00 per hiker).
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to White Tank Mountains Regional Park: Head north on PebbleCreek Parkway to Indian School Road, turn west (left) and take Loop 303 North (right). Exit at Northern (next to zoo) and turn left (West). Turn right on Cotton. Turn left on Olive and follow it towards the park gate. Just before the park entrance kiosk, turn right into the parking lot for the Nature Center and Library. From the parking lot, take the sidewalk on the left of the building. Trail goes off the end of of the sidewalk on the left of the building. DRIVING DISTANCE: 24 miles
URL PHOTOS:https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/WhiteTankMountainRegionalPark/Mule-Deer-Waterfall
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/White-Tank-Mountain-Regional-Park/
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4am3tcfRvVF7rLlGFx
PCHC TRAIL ID: 638
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $2
DATE: Saturday, December 9, 2023
HIKE: C Hike - Estrella MRP - Gadsen Short Loop (PCHC # 745).
REGULAR START TIME: 7:00 AM
HIKE LEADER: Tom Wellman
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 6.8 mile lollipop hike with an elevation gain of 500 feet. Hike begins on the west side of the rodeo arena (demolished in 2022). From the trailhead turn left onto the Toothaker trail for a short distance to the junction with Coldwater.Stay on Butterfield for 2.5 miles past the first junction with Gadsden until the end of the trail at the second junction with Gadsden. Turn left and stay on Gadsden. There will be a new trail on the left that is the cutoff across to join the Gadsden loop directly to the north. Take this trail and at the junction with Gadsden turn left. When Gadsden meets Butterfield turn right and reverse the earlier directions back to the parking lot.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Toothaker Trailhead at West Rodeo Drive TRAILS: Toothaker, Butterfield, Gadsden, Gadsden Cutoff, Gadsden, Butterfield, 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/Baseline-Rainbow-Dysart
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Estrella-Mountain-Regional-Park/i-dXBTpdh
URL GPX: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AgywFpJqBF4aq3mSBOOQKnnPn3o7?e=XsO2Bb
PCHC TRAIL ID: 745
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $2
DATE: Sunday, December 10, 2023
HIKE: C Hike - Estrella MRP - Rainbow, Dysart, Coldwater, Butterfield (PCHC # 801).
UNUSUAL START TIME: 2:00 PM
HIKE LEADER: Ruth Bindler
HIKE COORDINATOR COMMENTS: Solstice Sunset Sunday Hike. Meet at EN at 2 PM. Leave at 2.15 PM. Start hike 2.40 PM. After hike at 5 PM, food and drink at Ramada. Everyone should bring: flashlight or head lamp, their own beverage and a snack to share.
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 5.3 mile counter clockwise loop hike with an elevation gain of 650 feet. Starts on the west side of the rodeo arena (demolished in 2022). The Rainbow Valley Trail is windy and relatively flat with sweeping views over the Gila River valley. It intersects the Dysart Trail. Turn left onto the Dysart Trail. Cross the Toothaker Trail and continue to the intersection with the Coldwater Trail. Turn left on the Coldwater Trail then left on the Butterfield Trail. At the intersection with Toothaker Trail, turn right back to the parking area.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Toothaker Trailhead at West Rodeo Drive TRAILS: Rainbow Valley, Dysart, Coldwater, Butterfield
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 Pkwy (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 MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Estrella-Mountain-Regional-Park/i-mGSwhzs
PCHC TRAIL ID: 801
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $2
DATE: Sunday, December 10, 2023
HIKE: D Hike - Estrella MRP - Butterfield, Dysart, Toothaker Loop (PCHC # 704).
UNUSUAL START TIME: 2:00 PM
HIKE LEADER: Linda Schmillen
HIKE COORDINATOR COMMENTS: Solstice Sunset Sunday Hike. Meet at EN at 2 PM. Leave at 2.15 PM. Start hike 2.40 PM. After hike at 5 PM, food and drink at Ramada. Everyone should bring: flashlight or head lamp, their own beverage and a snack to share.
DESCRIPTION: This hike is a 4.2 mile clockwise loop hike with an elevation gain of 400 feet. The Toothaker Trailhead is on the west side of the rodeo arena (demolished in 2022). This is a shared trailhead with the Rainbow Valley Trail. Soon after starting on the Toothaker Trail will split off to the left. At the junction with Butterfield turn left and follow this trail 1.4 miles to the junction with the Dysart Trail. Turn right on Dysart, cross Coldwater and go 1.2 miles to the junction with Toothaker. Turn right on Toothaker for 1.4 miles to return to the trailhead.
TRAILHEAD NAME: Toothaker Trailhead at West Rodeo Drive TRAILS: Butterfield, Dysart, 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 Pkwy (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/Toothaker-Gadsen-Butterfield
URL MAP: https://pchikingclub.smugmug.com/Trail-Maps/Estrella-Mountain-Regional-Park/i-S4jmJw9
PCHC TRAIL ID: 704
SUGGESTED DRIVER DONATION: $2
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.