2015-16 SLHC Monthly Hikes Handouts
SUN LAKES HIKING CLUB HIKES for February 2016
NOTE: START TIME AT 7:45 (*except where noted)
Feb 1MON>RETREADS: Pipeline Canyon Bonnie Tasch
Location: Lake Pleasant Regional Park 480- 802-2836
Rated C, 4 miles, AEG 552’, driving distance 140 miles r/t, driver’s fee $9 + share
of $6 entrance fee. After hike, group will take funicular down to Dillion’s restaurant.
Feb 1MON> Hackberry Springs Loop (Intermediate)Greg Jewell
Location: Superstition Mountains480-282-0061
Rated C, 6 miles, Trailhead – 2300’, AEG - 700’, driving distance 80 miles r/t
driver’s fee $5 + $2 dirt road fee. The landscape near the hills is spectacular with
dramatic views of weirdly eroded, lichen-spattered tuff outcroppings.
Feb 1MON> Ballantine Trail (Advanced)Scott/Vivienne Torgeson Location: Tonto National Forest 503-334-5624
Rated B, 8.8 miles, Trailhead – 2258’, AEG – 1381’, driving distance 112 miles r/t,
driver’s fee $7. A scenic loop with views of boulder strewn canyons, Four Peaks and
Pine Creek. Lunch at Rock Creek
Feb 3WED> Inspiration PointJoan Porterie
Location: McDowell Sonoran Preserve360-904-9049Rated C+, 6.7 miles, Trailhead – 1780’, AEG – 1300’ driving distance 75 miles r/t, Chris Vipond
driver’s fee $5. This hike is located on the Windgate Pass Trail. It is an in and612-998-3773
out hike on a wide trail with a expansive views from Inspiration Point.
Feb 8 MON>RETREADS: Black Hill Turpentine, 136th Street Express & Monument Trails Dick and Linda Metz
Location:Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve North480-339-0313Rated C, 5.3 miles, Trailhead – 2540’, AEG – flat, driving distance 90 miles r/t,
driver’s fee $6. Optional lunch will follow hike.
Feb 8MON> Parker Pass (Intermediate)Greg Jewell
Location: Superstition Mountains480-282-0061
Rated C, 5.5 miles, Trailhead – 2300’, AEG – 500’, driving distance 80 miles r/t,
driver’s fee $5 + $2 dirt road fee.
Feb 8*MON> Carney Springs, Robber’s Roost, Peralta Trailhead (Advanced)Mei MeiAhlskog
Location: Superstition Mountains IF INTERESTED, CONTACT LEADER:480-883-2013
Rated B+, 9 miles, Trailhead – ’, AEG – 2500’, driving distance 96 miles r/t,
driver’s fee $6 + $2 dirt road fee. Difficult, with some slick rock and scrambling.
Feb 10WED> Mesquite Canyon and Willow Canyon TrailsGene Smestad
Location: White Tank Mountain Regional Park480-339-0216 Rated C+, 6.5 miles, Trailhead - 1541’, AEG – 1275’, driving distance 120 miles r/t,
Driver’s fee $8 + share of $6 entry fee. Willow Spring is a pool of water enclosed on
3 sides by high rugged cliffs.
Feb 15MON>RETREADS: Pima Canyon LoopJim Zangger Location: South Mountain 480-802-1787
Rated C, 4.9 miles, AEG – 537, driving distance 36 miles r/t, driver’s fee $2.
Optional lunch after hike.
Feb 15MON> Butterfield/Gadsden Loop (Intermediate)Greg Jewell Location:Estrella Mountain Regional Park 480-282-0061
Rated C, 7 miles, Trailhead – 1800’, AEG 600’, driving distance 100 miles r/t,
driver’s fee $6+ share of $6 park entrance fee.
Feb 15MON> First Water/Canyon Lake Crossover(Advanced)Barb Smith Location: Superstition Mountains 480-802-1050
Rated: B, 8 miles, Trailheads: Canyon Lake- 1677’, First Water- 2295’, AEG – 900 -1589’,Joyce Frericks
drivingdistance:Canyon Lake 110 miles r/t , driver’s fee $7, First Water 80 miles r/t,217-440-6588
$5+$2 dirt road fee. Views of Geronimo Head, Battleship Mountain and Weaver’s Needle.
Feb 17WED San Tan & Goldmine LoopRon Konopka Location: San Tan Regional Park 313-402-8462
Rated: C, 7.4 miles, Trailhead – 1670’, AEG – <500’, driving distance 40 miles r/t,
driver’s fee $2 + plus share of $6 park entry fee. This is an easy loop hike of fairly
level to rolling trails with nice views of the surrounding desert, the San Tan
Mountains and Goldmine Mountain.
ALTERNATIVE HIKE
Dixie Mine TrailMarilyn Harkins
Location: McDowell Mountain Preserve480-883-7173
Rated C, 6.3 miles, Trailhead – 2100’, AEG – 545’, driving distance 95 miles r/t,
driver’s fee$6 + $2 per hiker at the park. An easy rolling trail and scenic in/out
hike to the old Dixie mine through nice areas of cacti.
‘
Feb 22MON>RETREADS: Jacob’s Crosscut Trail from First Water Richard Enns Location: Superstition Mountains, Lost Dutchman State Park 480-307-1140 Rated C, 4-5 miles, AEG – 500’, driving distance 80 miles r/t, driver’s fee $5.
Optional lunch at mining camp restaurant after hike.
Feb 22MON>Granite Mountain Loop (Intermediate)Dennis Harkins
Location: McDowell SonoranPreserve North480-883-7173
Rated 5.9, Trailhead - 2582’, AEG - 426, 97 miles r/t, driver’s fee $6.
Feb 22*MON> Weavers Needle Loop (Advanced) NOTE EARLY START TIME 6:45Marilyn Harkins
Location: Superstition Mountains480-883-7173
Rated B+, 12.5 miles, Trailhead – 2400’, AEG – 3500’, driving distance 80 miles r/t,
driver’s fee $6+ $2 dirt road fee. 360 degree views of Weavers Needle. Long sleeves
and pants recommended. Expect ~7 hours on the trail.
Feb 24WED> Dixie Mine TrailPaulette & Jerry Zuehlke
Location: McDowell Mountain Preserve883-7056
(Refer to description above)
ALTERNATIVE HIKE San Tan & Goldmine Loop Marilyn Harkins
Location: San Tan Regional Park480-883-7173
(Refer to description above)
Feb 29MON>RETREADS: Whitford CanyonMichael Josephson Location: Near Boyce Thompson Arboretum 248-496-5369 Rated C, 4 miles, driving distance 120 miles r/t, driver’s fee $7 + $2 dirt roadfee.
Optional lunch after hike
Feb 29MON>Idaho Pass/Blue Ridge Loop (Intermediate and Advanced)Mary & Steve Martz
Location: Goldfield Mountains317-750-0663
Rated C+, 7.5 miles, Trailhead – 2000’, AEG – 1000”, driving distance 70 miles r/t,
driving fee $5. This hike is in the southern part of the Goldfield Mountains; it is very
scenic with unique boulder formations.
SUN LAKES HIKING CLUB HIKES for March 2016
START TIME AT 6:45 (except where noted)
Mar 7MON>RETREADS: Pipeline Canyon Trail Bonnie Tasch
Location: Lake Pleasant Regional Park 480-802-2836
4 miles with AEG of 550’; 140 miles R/T = $9 + share of $6 entry fee.
Optional lunch at Dillon’s on the lake, reached via funicular.
Mar 14MON>RETREADS: Scenic TrailStan & Cindy Krasucki Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park 480-207-3683
4.5 miles with AEG of300’; 92 miles R/T = $6 + share of the $6 entry fee.
Optional lunch – location to be determined.
Mar 21 MON>RETREADS: Urban Hike NOTE! LATE START TIME. Meet at 7:45 a.m.Al & Ginny Metz Location: Tempe 480-896-1868
6th Annual Urban Hike! 5 miles on flat city streets.Optional 250’ ascent of Tempe Butte.
Bring $4 cash to cover driver fee and light rail fare. Lunch options will be suggested.
Mar 28 MON>RETREADS: Loop Hike – This hike is NEW to the club!Ron Konopka
Location: Casa Grande Mountain Park313-402-8462
5 miles with AEG <500 feet; 75 miles R/T = $5.
Optional lunch – location to be determined.
Mar 7 Mon> Advanced Hike: Black Mesa LoopBarb Smith Location: Superstition Mountains, First Water Trailhead 970-241-0838
Rated B, 9 miles. Trailhead: 2276’, AEG: 1670 ’. 80 miles R/T = $5 + $2 dirt road fee
Mar 14Mon> Advanced Hike: Siphon Draw and Flatiron (optional)Brian Hill Location: Superstition Mountains, Lost Dutchman Trailhead elevation 2080’ 480-802-1050 Siphon Draw = Rated C+, 4 miles, 1185’ AEG; Flatiron = Rated B+, 5.8 miles, 2930’ AEG.
70 miles R/T = $4 + share of entry fee
Mar 21Mon>Advanced Hike: Mormon Grove to McFarland CanyonMike Foerster Location: Mazatzal Mountains 480-802-0905
Rated B, 8.2 miles.Trailhead: 4918’; AEG: 1410’. 148 miles R/T =$9 + $2 dirt road fee
Mar 28Mon> Advanced Hike: Sixshooter TrailDick Giachino Location: Pinal Mountain (Globe area), CCC campground & Sixshooter Trailhead 480-895-5509 Rated B+, 12 miles. Trailhead: 4560’; AEG: 3482’.180 milesR/T = $11 + $2 dirt road fee
Mar 7Mon> Extra Intermediate Hike: Lookout Mountain Circumference TrailStu Frost Location: Lookout Mountain Preserve, Phoenix 480-883-8539 Rated C+, 3.6 miles. Trailhead: 1400’; AEG: 705’. 84 milesR/T = $5
Mar 14 NOTE: Meet at 7:45! MonExtra Intermediate Hike: Goat Hill via Telegraph PassMike Foerster Location: South Mountain, Telegraph Pass Trailhead 480-802-0905 Rated C+, 5.8 miles. Trailhead: 1454’; AEG: 1270’. 36 miles R/T = $3
Mar 21MonExtra Intermediate Hike: Granite Mtn. and Brown’s Mtn. CrossoverDennis Harkins Location: Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve North, 480-883-7173 Rated B, 10 miles. Granite TH: 2580’, Brown’s TH: 2725’ , AEG: 750’, Richard Enns
104 miles R/T = $7 NOTE: This hike is longer than usual, but moderately paced.480-307-1140
Mar 28MonExtra Intermediate Hike: Hackberry Springs LoopGreg Jewell Location: Superstition Mountains, First Water Trailhead 480-282-0061 Rated C , 6 miles. Trailhead: 2267’; AEG: 700’. 90 milesR/T = $5 + $2 dirt road fee
Mar 2Wed> Intermediate Hike:Bell Trail #13Greg Jewell
Location: Coconino National Forest480-282-0061
Rated C, 7 miles. Trailhead: 3800’; AEG: 340’. 240 miles R/T = $15
Mar 9Wed> Intermediate Hike:Sunrise TrailJoan Porterie Location: McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Lost Dog Trailhead 360-904-9049 Rated C+ , 5.6 miles. Trailhead: 1315’; AEG: 1342’. 67 miles R/T = $5 Marilyn Harkins
480-883-7173
Mar 16Wed> Intermediate Hike:Dynamite TrailDick and Linda Metz
Location: San Tan Mountain Regional Park, Goldmine Trailhead480-339-0313 Rated C , 6.6 miles. Trailhead: 1560’; AEG: 750’. 38 milesR/T = $3 + share
of park entry fee.
Mar 23Wed> Intermediate Hike: Marcus LandslideJim Reid Location: McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Tom’s Thumb Trailhead 480-639-1325 Rated C , 5 miles. Trailhead: 1541’; AEG: 750’. 110 miles R/T = $6
Mar 30Wed> Intermediate Hike:Pinnacle PeakLiz Morque Location: North Scottsdale 612-201-4213 Rated C , 4 miles. Trailhead: 2570’; AEG: 1000’. 80 milesR/T = $5 Marge Mogelnicki
480-331-8456
SUN LAKES HIKING CLUB HIKES for April 2016
START TIME AT 6:45 (except where noted)
Apr 4MON>RETREADS: Marcus Landslide, McDowell Sonoran PreserveJim ReidTim Donovan
Tom’s Thumb Trailhead. 110 miles R/T = $6480-639-1325 248-535-5285
Apr 11MON>RETREADS: Gateway Loop, McDowell Sonoran PreserveBruce McCorkleMike Josephson
Gateway Trailhead. 75 miles R/T = $5(Optional Lunch)480-253-0681248-496-5369
Apr 18 MON>RETREADS: Parker Pass, Superstition MountainsTom ChaseLiz Morque
First Water Trailhead, 80 miles R/T = $5 + $2 dirt road fee 480-895-7819 612-201-4213
Apr 25 MON>RETREADS: Circumference and Basalt TrailsAl & Ginny Metz
Deem Hills Recreation Area , 94 miles R/T = $6 Optional Lunch at Times Square 480-895-1868
Apr 18Mon> Extra Intermediate Hike: Horton Creek Mike Josephson
Location: past Payson AZ 248-496-5369
Rated B-; 6.5 miles; Trailhead: 5369’; AEG: 1200’. 220 miles R/T = $14
Apr 4Mon> Advanced Hike: Alta Trail and Bajada TrailsDena Brinkman
Location: South Mountain480-206-7427 Rated B, 8 miles. Trailhead: 1200’; AEG: 1600’. 55 miles R/T = $3 Doug Chirhart
480-883-2834
Apr 11Mon>Advanced Hike: Twin Peaks – Camelback and PiestawaMei MeiAlhskog
Location: Phoenix Mountain Preserve480-883-2013
Rated B+, 5 miles.Trailhead: 1400’; AEG: 2300’. 70 miles R/T $4
Apr 18Mon> Advanced Hike: Corona de LomaDoug Chirhart Location: South Mountain 480-883-2834
Rated B. Trailhead: 1300’
Apr 25Mon> Advanced Hike: Hangover TrailMarilyn Harkins Location: Huckaby Trailhead in Sedona 480-883-7173 Rated B, 8.5 miles. Trailhead: 5145’; AEG: 1600’. 288 miles R/T = $18
Apr 6Wed> Intermediate Hike:Parker CanyonMike Josephson
Location: Tonto NF, Salome Wilderness248-496-5369 Rated C, 5.25 miles. Trailhead: 4500’; AEG: ~500’. 150 miles R/T = $11
Apr 13Wed> Intermediate Hike:Tempe Urban Hike NOTE: LATE START at 7:45Al & Ginny Metz
Location: Tempe – vicinity of ASU480-895-1868
Rated C, 5 miles. Mostly flat with option to hike up Tempe Butte (250’)
Bring $4 for rider fee and light rail fare.
Apr 20Wed> Intermediate Hike:Fatman Pass and Hidden ValleyDenese Anderson
Location: South Mountain, Pima Canyon Trailhead480-883-8420
Apr 27Wed> Intermediate Hike: Granite Dells and Peavine TrailMarilyn Harkins
Location: Prescott480-883-7173
Rated C, up to 7 miles; Trailhead: 5190’; AEG: variable. 260 miles R/T = $16