The Sun Lakes Hiking Club is looking forward to an exciting season ahead. In addition to the November hikes, three special activities have been planned for members and potential members. On Friday, November 7, the Welcome Back Picnic and November meeting will begin at noon at Oasis Park in Sun Lakes Country Club. Chicken, soft drinks, plates and silverware are provided by the club. Members will bring a dish to share. On Thursday, November 13, a field trip will be held at Veterans Oasis Park in Chandler. The purpose of this event is to provide an orientation or refresher for hiking with the club and it is hoped that current members, as well as potential members, will attend. Carpools will leave the Cottonwood Country Club parking lot at 7:00 a.m. RSVP to Tom Chase at 480-895-7819 or the Harkins 253-389-2101. Current hike leaders take note: there is a mandatory meeting on Tuesday, November 18 in the Phoenix Room from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

A list of the November hikes follows. Except where otherwise noted, carpools for the hikes meet at the Cottonwood Country Club parking lot at 7:45 a.m. A description of each hike can be found on the SLHC website at www.meetup.com/Sun-Lakes-Hiking-Club. Also, please note that because many trails were affected by summer storms, hikers are advised to check this website for updated information. New hikers are asked to contact the hike leader before planning any specific hike. It is advisable for all new hikers to start with a Wednesday or Re-tread hike.

Monday Hikes:

11/3. Barnhardt Trail No. 43 in the Mazatzal Mountains, Tonto National Forest; rated B; 8.2 miles; accumulated elevation gain 1838’; driver’s fee $11 plus $2 dirt road fee. Total driving distance 172 miles including 10 miles of dirt road. Important note: The starting time for this hike is 6:45 a.m. and all hikers are required to contact hike leader before November 3. Leader: Marilyn Harkins 253-389-2101.

11/10 Goat Hill Hike, South Mountain Park; rated B; 8.2 miles; accumulated elevation gain 1823’; driver’s fee $2. Total driving distance 35 miles. Leaders: Trudy Alexander 480-895-8418/Roberta Arpan 480-895-3432.

11/17. Pima Canyon in the Saguaro National Park near Tucson; rated B+; mileage 8.8 miles; accumulated elevation gain 2250’; driver’s fee $12. Total driving distance 192 miles. Important Note: The starting time for this hike is 6:45 a.m. Leader: Doug Chirhart 480-883-28340.

11/24. Romero Pools in the Catalina State Park, Tucson; rated B; 8 miles; accumulated elevation gain 1000’; driver’s fee $11 plus share of park fee. Total driving distance 192 miles. Leader: Tom Chase 480-895-7819.

Wednesday Hikes:

11/05. Fledspar/Marcus Landslide at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead in McDowell Sonoran Preserve; rated C; 5 miles; accumulated elevation gain 750’; driver’s fee $6 plus $2 dirt road fee. Total driving distance 110 miles. Leader: Greg Jewell 480-282-0061

11/12. Parker Pass in the Superstition Mountains; rated C; 5.25 miles; accumulated elevation gain 500’; driver’s fee $5 plus $2 dirt road fee. Total driving distance 80 miles. Leader Rex Bunkley 480-883-1556.

11/19. Hackberry Springs in the Superstition Mountains; rated C; 6 miles; accumulated elevation gain 700’; driver’s fee $5 plus $2 dirt road fee. Total driving distance 80 miles. Leader Karin Herrmann 480-883-8402.

11/26. Parker Canyon in the Salome/Sierra Ancha Wilderness; rated C; 5 miles; accumulated elevation gain 700’; driver’s fee $13.50. Total driving distance 220 miles roundtrip. Leader Bonnie Tasch 480-802-2836.

If the hikes listed above seem a little challenging for you right now, the Re-tread hikers have great, less strenuous adventures. They also leave from the Cottonwood Country Club parking lot on Monday mornings. Hikes scheduled thus far are: November 3 – Wexford Canyon, led by Mike Josephson 248-496-5369; November 10 – Horton Creek, led by Bonnie Tasch 480-802-2836; November 17 – Devil’s Canyon, led by Helen and Jack Schultz 480-802-0431. Departure time is 7:45 a.m. except for the November 10 Horton Creek Hike that has a departure time of 7:00 a.m.

For more information contact Mike Josephson at 248-496-5369.

All Sun Lakes Hiking Club members are reminded that $5 per member dues for the 2015 fiscal year can be paid at any regularly scheduled club meeting or by mail to the Treasurer Mike Foerster. Dues payments can be made in cash or by check payable to Sun Lakes Hiking Club and mailed to Mike Foerster, 24650 S. Ribbonwood Dr., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.

For more information about the SLHC, contact Brian Hill at 480-802-1050 or e-mail [email protected]. You may also visit the club’s website at the address given above.