This is a very scenic hike from a roadway just east of Oracle to the Oracle Ridge Trail where we look down on the Biosphere and have fantastic views of Picacho and Table Top. It is also part of the Arizona Trail. The flora and geology in the area are quite different than our normal hikes and the elevation is higher, from 4,400 feet to 5,400 feet. We will stop at the Hi-Jinks mine where Buffalo Bill Cody mined for gold and view the old 1895 Bain 9-A buckboard that was used in the filming of Poker Alice starring Elizabeth Taylor. This is an out and back hike for a total of 7.4 miles and rated as a B-. Hiking time will take approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. Our return time to Palm Creek is about 7 hours. There is ample parking, however, there are no pit toilets but plenty of bushes.
Directions:
(GPS: Hi-Jinks Ranch) Take I-10 east to exit 219 for Picacho Peak Rd, turn left to Camino Adelante. Travel 5.1miles and turn left onto E Park Link Dr. After 18 miles, turn right onto AZ 79S and proceed 10 miles to AZ 77 N. Travel south 9 miles and then turn right onto W American Ave. (Signs for Oracle). About 2 miles turn right onto E Mt Lemmon Hwy. and continue 5 miles to Campo Bonito and turn right again on S Highjinks Rd. Trailhead is ahead about a half-mile.
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 the central mailboxes at 8:00 a.m. this Friday and hikers must have a Palm Creek Hiking Club Waiver. Try to be sure to be at the mailboxes by 7:45 a.m. to secure waivers.
January Hikes
January 14th, Long Hike, Fat Man's Pass from Dobbin Lookout, out and back. Medium Hike, Fat Man's Pass from Overlook, out and back.
January 21th, Dynamite Trail at San Tan. Medium hike!
January 28th King's Canyon. We will try and see if we can do both a long and medium hike!
Remember: If for some reason a hike must be cancelled, you will receive an email by 6.a.m., Friday morning!
