Valley of Fire: Back: Jeff Love, guide; front: Sharyn Jupp, Tamie Williams, Donna Civitella, Kathleen Bell, Aaron Schoenberg, Mary Kopp
SaddleBrooke Hiking Club Ventures to Las Vegas
Ken Wong
The SaddleBrooke Hiking Club ventured to the state of Nevada in November for their second offsite trip of the calendar year. The destination was Las Vegas for the primary purpose of three days of hiking on Nov. 4 through the 6th. In addition to hiking, the city had much, much more to offer, and members took advantage of the entertainment, restaurants, golf courses, museums, and casinos that Sin City is noted for. Although the saying goes, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” we are happy to report that everything we did can be shared with those who were not with us!
Forty-one adventurous members made the trip, and eight members of the group served as guides. The eight guides did a great job of selecting, scheduling, and leading the hikes, with a choice of seven hikes offered each day. Considered the premier hike was the trek in the Valley of Fire, and it was included on all three days with two time slots to ensure that each participant had the opportunity to go on this must-do trek. Kudos to the guides for doing this.
Hikes in the Mount Charleston area (Lower Bristlecone Trail, Cathedral Rock, Eagle’s Nest Trail, and Griffith Peak) had something to suit everyone, ranging from A- to D-rated hikes. Multiple hikes were scheduled each day to picturesque Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Each day featured a choice of three hikes in this beautiful setting with varied terrain against a backdrop of the Spring Mountains. Especially appreciated was the scenic drive through the Area that afforded a panoramic view of the entire canyon. The final day of hikes included the Hoover Dam Tour, an educational and awe-inspiring look at one of the engineering marvels of the world.
One of the nicer aspects of the trip was the central location at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino where almost everyone stayed. It was near many of the hike trailheads and close to eating and shopping venues. A quasi-group dinner was held on Wednesday evening at The Cheesecake Factory, just across the street from the Suncoast. Close to 30 members participated, with at least one group not in attendance because they were viewing the movie The Wizard of Oz at The Sphere just off the Strip.
Thanks to Marc Humphrey who did the overall coordination for the trip and served as a guide. Thanks also to Ruth Caldwell, Jeff Love, Kathryn Madore, Aaron Schoenberg, Ann Urick, Dianna Wilson, and Kelly Wilson for also serving as guides.
The next club trip is to the Prescott, Ariz., area in April. The club looks forward to another enjoyable offsite experience.
Arizona Trail gate (photo by Lynda Green)
January Hiking Club Program Features the Arizona Trail
Jim Solon
The SaddleBrooke Hiking Club is pleased to present a documentary produced and directed by Darwin Rakestraw called The Arizona Trail: Through the Great Southwest. Immediately following the viewing, several of our own Hiking Club members who have completed this fabulous trek will join us for a panel discussion where they will share firsthand impressions. This special presentation is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, in the MountainView Ballroom (different from the club’s usual program location).
In 2009 Congress named the Arizona Trail a National Scenic Trail. Dale R. Shewalter, “The father of the Arizona Trail,” wrote, “I am personally grateful for all of the devoted people who have worked so hard to bring National Scenic status to our Arizona Trail. The trail will be an adventure for generations of outdoors people to enjoy, and the magic of Arizona’s landscape will be shared with the world.” This documentary not only showcases the sheer majesty of the trail, but also delves into just what it takes to bring such a gem to reality.
Dale Shewalter, a Flagstaff public school teacher, conceived of the idea of a non-motorized trail traversing Arizona from Mexico to Utah after numerous long-distance hikes throughout the state. Because of his vision, determination, teambuilding, and hard work, a long-distance trail that highlights the state’s biologic, geologic, and historic diversity became a reality.
Through the Great Southwest is a film in which Darwin Rakestraw, in partnership with the Arizona Trail Association, documents the community and the efforts behind the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) that spans the length of Arizona between Mexico and Utah.
Deeply diverse in geography and history, the AZT is truly a modern, multipurpose trail—loved and used by an array of hikers, runners, riders, equestrians, and supporters from across the state. The film showcases the stunning landscapes of the trail while exploring the impact this path has on users and community members.
In just 40 minutes, the film encourages people to participate in a broader conversation about the trail and its community. In a uniquely thoughtful manner, it highlights the people most intimately involved with the AZT, like Matt Nelson, executive director of the ATA, and Rob Bauer, the volunteer who has made nearly 100 iconic gates for the trail.
Through the Great Southwest focuses on the faces behind the scenes that give this iconic trail the energy and direction (quite literally) hikers see as end-users. It leaves the viewer with a deep sense of gratitude not only for the beauty of the trail itself, but the community members and advocates who are deeply proud to have put this trail on the map.
Pioneer Hiking Guide Walt Shields Retires
Bruce Landeck
Dec. 18 dawned sunny, with a perfect temperature, and memorable for 12 hikers as they entered Catalina State Park to hike the Alamo Canyon Trail with SaddleBrooke Hiking Club Guide Walt Shields. The morning was memorable, because after 20-plus years guiding club hikers, Walt had decided to retire his boots as a club guide.
Walt grew up in Tucson in the 1950s when Old Pueblo was much more of a sleepy town than it is now. Early in his professional career as a board-certified periodontist, Walt obtained a research grant at the University of Zürich, and he and his bride Tiggy spent two years living in Switzerland and traveling throughout Europe. Afterwards, Walt and Tiggy spent almost 30 years in Colorado Springs where Walt continued his private periodontal practice. Walt says one of his proudest accomplishments is that he has summited 36 of Colorado’s 54 “fourteener” peaks. In addition to mountain climbing, Walt also loved hiking, rafting, golfing, and skiing. Walt was an avid instrument-rated pilot and enjoyed 20 years of flying around the U.S., as well as into Canada and Mexico.
Webster’s definition of the word “pioneer” is “Someone who goes before to prepare the way, a trailblazer.” Over the past 20 years, Walt helped in pioneering a startup SaddleBrooke-sanctioned hiking club with few members into what today has grown to more than 550 members. That takes devotion and commitment with a vision, qualities which Walt certainly exemplifies.
Walt’s contributions to our Hiking Club these past two decades have been considerable: hiking guide 2006 to present; board of directors member 2010-2012; Chief Hiking Guide 2012-2014; with Ruth Caldwell and Frank Earnest, creator and instructor of the annual Emergency Preparedness Course for hiking guides 2012 to present; creator of guidelines for guide training and procedures for leading hikes; and, finally, designer of an annual field course for members on the proper use of hiking poles.
In addition to leading hikes in our Sonoran Desert terrain, Walt organized historical walks in downtown Tucson, which are popular and informative for members. From 2017 until recently, he organized the club’s civic semiannual Catalina Hills roadside cleanup, a volunteer activity that has been recognized positively by Pinal County.
Among the numerous well-deserved recognitions Walt has received, perhaps the one that best summarizes his value to the Hiking Club was being chosen for our 2020 Trailblazer Award, given annually to a member for “Meritorious Service Above and Beyond Simply Being a Member, for Performing Duties Greater than Expected, and for Exhibiting Leadership that We All Admire.”
As Chief Guide, Walt has mentored several other prominent hiking guides, including past Chief Guides and Presidents Tim Butler and Ruth Caldwell.
The club thanks Walt for all he has done to help make our Hiking Club the success that it is today and for safely leading our hikers for 20 years in the beautiful Sonoran Desert. Happy Trails and all the best in Guide retirement!