Moderate level hikers enjoying a hike on Lost Goldmine Trail in Gold Canyon in the Superstition Wilderness (photo by Joan Carlisle)
Warren Wasescha, Sun Lakes Hiking Club
Snakes are out there, so be careful. Our hikers spotted four snakes on the trails the first week of February. Warmer weather is in play, a bit too soon for my liking.
Eighty-four club members and their companions are headed to Page, Ariz., on March 16-19 for our Special Hike. Some are headed up early to hike unique geology like The Wave or Antelope Canyon, both requiring lotteries or advance reservations. It’s a beautiful area. I can’t wait to hike the trails! Thanks to Joan Carlisle and Ron Deraas for setting up the event!
If you took a quiz right now, would you score 100% on what a hike leader or hiker should know on the trail? If not, ask for our updated documents on what you should know to be a successful hike leader or a successful hiker. Forty years of club experience is embedded into these documents. Send me a note and I’ll forward them to you.
Challenged by the fact that some of our hikes have increasing numbers of hikers signed up? Give some thought into becoming a hike leader. It’s a highly rewarding position and not that difficult with a bit of mentoring. On your next hike, pay attention to how the hike leader handles the event and see if it’s right for you.
Have a particular hiking experience you’d like to share with the club? Brian and Mei-Mei Hill and Jack Rubino shared their off-season hiking experiences at a recent club meeting, with much interest. If you’d like to share your experiences, let Paul Feeney or me know. We’d love to have you tell your hiking stories at an upcoming club meeting.
Like to hike? The Sun Lakes Hiking Club is a friendly, inclusive group that welcomes all able-bodied hiking enthusiasts! Our club’s goal is to make group hiking fun, challenging, social, and safe. We hike in some incredibly scenic areas in and around the Valley. We welcome all able-bodied hikers living in Sun Lakes or SunBird to come join us.
You can learn more about the club by typing “Sun Lakes Hiking Club” into your web browser, and it will take you to our Meetup site where you can see a listing of our past and upcoming hikes and read more about our club. Email me at wjwasescha@gmail.com if you have any questions not found on our website.
Our club hikes at three different intensity levels on Mondays, and often a “Moderate” and “Mellow” intensity level on Wednesdays, from November through April.
Hiking is one of the many rewarding activities you can do in our community. We hope you will join us this season!