Picketpost Loop and Casa Grande Mountain Hike - February 26, 2021

Casa Grande Mountain Hike Group Picture

Picketpost Mountain Hike

Mary Anne's Pictures

Trail map and elevation From John Robichaud's site on All Trails. 

All Trail's - John's site 

                                             

This is a scenic hike that passes the base of Picketpost Mountain and then crosses a number of low hills to some higher hills and deep canyons. We will be hiking clockwise. It may be a loop or an in-and-out as we want to keep the distance hiked a little less than 8 miles. Pit toilets are available at the trailhead. The level of difficulty is a B- or Moderate.

Directions: Again, right turn out of Palm Creek and then another right at Cottonwood. Then, the same back roads we did last week until you get to Hunt Highway. Right turn here and continue to Florence Junction. From Florence Junction go right on Highway 60 toward Globe for 9 miles to milepost 221.5 and turn right at the Picketpost Trailhead sign. Drive .4 miles and then turn left at the sign onto FS Road 310. Proceed for .6 miles into the parking area. It is 55 miles and took 1:05. (GPS: Globe, AZ)

Short Hike: Short hike around Casa Grande Mt. led by Reno and Denis. Their hike averages 3 - 4 miles and they are usually back to Palm Creek by noon. Leaves from the central mailboxes same time as the longer hike, 8 a.m., and must have a Palm Creek Hiking Club Membership Waiver. Try to be at the mailboxes around 7:45 a.m. to secure waivers.

 Upcoming Hikes:

March 5, 2021: 

A hike in the beautiful Tortolita Mountains of Marana at the Dove Mountain Resort. The exact trails to be determined next week but it will be a loop of approximately 6.5 miles and include petroglyphs, cisterns and an old homestead rock house.

March 12, 2021:

This is an interesting hike around Pass Mountain in the Goldfield Mountains at Usery Mountain Regional Park. There is a shallow climb around the west, north, and east side of the mountain to a saddle, then a steep descent to the valley and around the south end of the mountain and back to the trailhead. It has some good views of the fountain at Fountain Hills, the Superstition Mountains and the surrounding valleys. The hike is a fairly easy loop but long at 7.5 miles.

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; (pictures and information from the San Tan Hike last week!   http://palmcreekhikers3.blogspot.com/

The Gold Mine, Dynamite and San Tan Trails Loop - February 19, 2021

A hike to the peak on the Gold Mine Trail in the San Tan Regional Park near Queen Creek proves to be a good workout and then continue to the Dynamite and San Tan Trails to complete a moderate loop hike of 6.5 miles. This hike offers many beautiful views of the San Tan Valley and along the way view the graves of two of the prospectors that mined Gold Hill Mountain. There is a parking fee of $7.00 per vehicle. The trailhead offers plenty of parking, good restrooms, water and outside attractions to view.

Check out the trail on John's uploaded map on All Trails

John Robichaud's All Trails Map

Directions:

Right turn out of Palm Creek and then a right turn at Cottonwood. Then do the same back roads we've done before until you get to Hunt Highway. Here turn left and continue on Hunt Hwy to North Mountain Vista Blvd. and turn left. There is a Walgreens on the corner. Continue to N Thompson Rd, turn left and drive to W Phillips Rd. Turn right and continue to the park.  Remember we always caravan to the trailhead and your return trip is on your own. (GPS-San Tan Regional Park)

Short Hike: Short hike around Casa Grande Mt. led by Reno and Denis. Their hike averages 3 - 4 miles and they are usually back by noon. Leaves from the central mailboxes same time as the longer hike, 8 a.m., and must have a Palm Creek Hiking Club Membership Waiver.

Upcoming Hikes:    

February 26, 2021

Picketpost Loop: This hike is part of the Arizona Trail system. We will loop around the mountain clockwise. It is a fairly easy hike but it is long. (Approximately 10 miles)

March 5, 2021

Upper Javelina, Wild Burro, Alamo Springs Trails: Scenic loop in the Tortolita Mountains at Dove Mountain Resort. Moderate hike.

( Approximately 6.5 miles)

Remember if for some reason a hike must be cancelled, you will be emailed by 6 a.m. Friday morning!

Jerry's Cell

307-630-0250    

John's Cell

207-446-0650   

Click on the link below  to check out Nancy's Blogspot; (pictures and information from our previous hikes in January and February)

www.palmcreekhikers3.blogspot.com

Hidden Canyon, Bowen and Yetman Trails - February 12, 2021

This is an easy to moderate hike, approximately 6 miles, through typical vegetation of the Sonoran Desert. There are only a few areas with slight elevation gain. The hike forms two loops or a figure-eight by starting at one trailhead where we park and ending at another only a couple blocks away. About halfway through the hike, we visit the Bowen homestead, a house build of native stone but at one time suffered fire damage. Although there is no roof, the sturdy walls and fireplaces remain. No Pit Toilets but plenty of bushes. 

All Trails - Hidden Canyon Loop - Bowen Stonehouse Ruins via Yetman Trail

Hidden Canyon 

                  

Directions: Palm Creek to Florence Blv. and to I-10E for Tucson. Continue on I-10 for 64 miles to exit 259, Starr Pass Blvd. Use the right lane to merge onto Freeway and W. Starr Pass Blvd. There will be a Waffle House on the left. Continue 4.2 miles to the end of the road where there is a huge Marriott Hotel at Starr Pass. (Good GPS address, 3800 W. Starr Pass) 

Don't forget our Friday Morning short hike around Casa Grande Mountain led by Reno and Denis. This hike averages about 3 miles and hikers are usually back by noon. The group will leave from the mailboxes at the same time as the regular hike (8 am) and must have a Palm Creek Hiking Club Membership Waiver signed. 

Remember if for some reason a hike must be cancelled, we will email you by 6 am on Friday. 

Upcoming hikes:

Feb 19, 2021

The Gold Mine Trail at San Tan. Approximately 7.2 miles. (Loop). Rated moderate. Parking fee $7.00 per vehicle. (Neat Trailhead with restrooms, plenty of parking and outside attractions to view)

February 26, 2021 

Picketpost. (Clockwise loop) Approximately 8.5 miles. Rated moderate. Pretty much flat but a longer hike. (Pit Toilets) 

Jerry's Cell 307-630-0252

John's Cell 207-446-0650