Elisabeth Wheeler The Arizona Trail work party on Nov. 17 brought out seven SaddleBrooke Hiking Club volunteers and five other volunteers. The weather was cloudy and cool—perfect conditions for eradicating the encroaching catclaw acacia along the Oracle Passage of the Arizona Trail. After three and a half hours of camaraderie and trail maintenance, the volunteers…
Elisabeth Wheeler Eighteen SaddleBrooke hikers participated in the Arizona Trail’s AZT in a Day event on Oct. 9. Striving together with other hikers, bikers, and horse riders, the goal was to cover the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail in a 24-hour period. This year, some sections of the trail had experienced fire damage and were…
Bruce Hale The SaddleBrooke Hiking Club welcomes Dr. James (Jim) Smith, an eight-year club member, as the featured speaker at its monthly meeting and program on Nov. 17, at the Activity Center. Dr. Smith’s presentation is titled A Hiker’s Guide to Birding: SaddleBrooke, SE Arizona, and Beyond. Alongside wildflower viewing, birding is an easy way…
Elisabeth Wheeler The SaddleBrooke Hiking Club is a strong supporter of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Volunteers attend five to six work sessions a year to maintain the Oracle Passage, a 8.6-mile section from American Flag Ranch Trailhead to Tiger Mine Trailhead, through Oracle State Park. Ongoing work is required to dig out encroaching catclaw,…
Elisabeth Wheeler, Bob Simpson, and Elissa Cochran For years, hikers and equestrians have known of the gravestone of Grace Murray on a remote mound in the desert, east of Golder Ranch Road. When hiker Elisabeth Wheeler first observed the gravestone, it was illuminated by an early sunrise. To Elisabeth this moment felt sacred. She felt…
Aaron Schoenberg I guided the SaddleBrooke Hiking Club on a hike that provided challenges and exploratory opportunities, spectacular scenery, and amazing discoveries. We approached the scenic summit of Huachuca Peak on the Fort Huachuca Reservation from the west via a myriad of trails. It was an all-day adventure. We watched the sunrise as we drove…
Elisabeth Wheeler Seana Kobak and Beth Jones are unstoppable in their quest to complete the 800+ mile Arizona National Scenic Trail. Linda Eglin and I were privileged to join them in backpacking the Alamo Canyon and Gila River Canyon passages, which begin at Picket Post Mountain Trail and end thirty-eight miles to the southeast in Kearny. I…
Bruce Hale The SaddleBrooke Hiking Club welcomes Dr. James “Jim” Smith, a seven-year club member, as the featured speaker at its monthly meeting and program on March 18, 2020. Dr. Smith’s presentation is titled “A Hiker’s Guide to Birding: SaddleBrooke, SE Arizona, and Beyond.” Alongside wildflower viewing, birding is an easy way for hikers to immerse…
Elisabeth Wheeler Sixteen hikers from the SaddleBrooke Hiking Club strolled along 5.2 miles of well-developed trails in the Maeveen Behan Desert Sanctuary, a part of the Arthur Pack Regional Park west of Thornydale Road. Their efforts proved how much fun it is to discover and explore an easy hiking trail where one can view many…
Elisabeth Wheeler Cool temperatures and rain-soaked soils create optimal conditions for digging out catcall on the Arizona Trail. Thirteen SaddleBrooke hikers cleared a mile of trail on Dec. 4. The camaraderie continued over baked goodies and coffee afterward. Thanks to Chris Jeffries, Rick Rupp, and Seana Kobak for providing the treats. The next Arizona Trail work…