Dec 17, 2021 Photos for Dixie Mine

 

This is an easy to moderate hike of approximately 5.5 miles total, out and back, to the mine at the McDowell Mountain Regional Park. We park outside of a gated community and walk approximately 10 minutes to the trailhead. The parking facilities, however, are limited, with about 22 spaces, but we have never had a problem in the past! The trail setting is really beautiful and the trail is generally smoother than most. Small hills with interesting rock formations and many saguaros. There are no pit toilets but on the trail, there are plenty of bushes. We will view the old mine from the top looking down into it, then the mine entrance itself, some petroglyphs, and hopefully see the fountain at Fountain Hills spew 300-560 feet into the air. There is a $2.00 cash fee to hike the trail.

Directions: Take I-10 north to the 202 east. The 202 east to the 101 north to Shea Blvd, exit 41. Stay on Shea Blvd to North Palisade and make a left. Continue on North Palisade to North Manzanita Lane and again, make a left. North Manzanita turns into Sunridge Dr. which turns into Mountain Parkway which is also East Golden Eagle Blvd. (Distance approximately 70 miles, 1 hr. 15 min)

(GPS: 14597 E Golden Eagle Blvd.) 

Jerry's Cell

307-630-0252

John's Cell

207-446-0650 

Miner's Needle photos Dec 3, 2021

 This is an easy to moderate hike of 5.6 miles in the Superstition Wilderness. The trail starts at the NE end of the Peralta Trailhead parking lot and we take trail #104, The Dutchman's Trail. 

The trail goes up and over the ridge directly ahead, looping around the nose of it to a saddle and into a broad valley. The trail goes generally in an easterly direction across the valley until after about one hour and twenty minutes and 2.6 miles. Here you will see Miner's Needle. This trail meets the Coffee Flat Trail at the junction. As this point, we travel north a short distance for a better view of Miner's Needle and have lunch. We return back on the same trail. Pit toilets are available at the trailhead. 

Directions, Distance and Time to the Trailhead:  Go north on Hwy 79 out of Florence. Drive west on Hwy 60 at Florence Junction. About 8 miles from the junction, at milepost 204.1, is the frist traffic light and a sign, Peralta Trail. Turn right as this light and proceed trhought the residential area and past the school, then on the gravel road ot the trailhead at the end, about 7 miles. It is 62 miles and took 1 hour and 1 mintues. 

All hikers meet at the central mailboxes at about 7:30 am to sign up and pay their membership fee of $10.00 per season, sign a waiver, receive their hiking sticker and have vaccination cards validated. We leave at 8:00 am sharp and return approximately 2:00 -3:30 pm.

End of the Year Picnic - March 27, 2021

  

75 + miles 

50+ miles 

Phoneline Trail - Sabino Canyon - March 26, 2021

Jerry's Pictures on Phoneline Trail

Mary Anne's Pictures

Phoneline Trail in the Sabino Canyon. I would like to meet at the mailboxes around 7:00 a.m. and leave at 7:15 a.m. so we can take the 9 o'clock shuttle as they only leave on the hour! The driving distance is about 70 miles and took approximately an hour and fifteen minutes. Parking is free if you have an America the Beautiful Nat'l. Park Pass and put on your dash. There is a $12.00 per person tram fee to the trailhead.  A credit card is needed!  I would rate the hike as moderate only because of the steep switchbacks the first half-mile. The trail is then fairly level and follows the canyon where the telephone lines were originally strung. Awesome views!  Finally, there is a gradual drop back down to the intersection with the Bear Canyon Trail, # 29. We will then cross the bridge and hike to the visitors center. Often the bridge has a little water over it and I would strongly recommend putting two Walmart grocery sacks in your backpack to put over your boots if needed! There are restrooms at the Sabino Canyon Visitor's Center and at the top of the tramroad where the trail starts. The hike is somewhere between 5 and 6 miles.

Directions:

From I-10 and Florence Blvd. go south on I-10 to Exit 248, Ina Rd. Take Ina Rd east and it will become Skyline Dr. and then it will become Sunrise Dr. ( Don't worry, just stay on the same road until it comes to a dead end and turn left at the light on Sabino Canyon Rd. Sabino Canyon Visitor Center is a short distance on the right. (GPS: Sabino Canyon Visitor Center)

Short Hike:   

Short hike around the trails on Casa Grande Mt. led by Reno and Denis. Their hike averages 3 - 4 miles and they are usually back to Palm Creek by noon. This hike will leave from central mailboxes at 8:00 a.m. this Friday and Hikers must have a Palm Creek Hiking Club Waiver. Try to be at the mailboxes by 7:45 a.m. to secure waivers.

March 27, 2021 Picnic

End of the season Hiking Club Picnic. Come and enjoy a picnic, Saturday, March 27 at the Sports Pavillion (we got booted from the Tennis) from 12;30 to 2:30 p.m. and get your hiking mileage certificates for 50 or 75 miles hiking with the club. It's a time to eat, drink, visit and share memories of the hikes. Family members and guests are invited.The menu is Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza, Potato Salad, Coleslaw and cake for desert. Paper plates, napkins, and eating utensils will be provided! All of this for 5.00 per person. We decided on a BYOB; beer, wine, pop, water, or whatever, as everyone has their preference. Please RSVP, if you haven't, as soon as possible so we can get a count for food and misc.

Remember: If for some reason a hike must be cancelled, you will receive an email by 6 a.m., Friday morning!

Jerry's Cell 307-630-0252

John's Cell 207-446-0650

Click on the link below to check out Nancy's  Blogspot; 

www.palmcreekhikers3.blogspot.com

Pictures and information from last week's hike, Pass Mountain Loop!)