Roberta Arpan If your out-of-town guests aspire to see more of Arizona than golf courses, tennis courts and swimming pools, take them hiking. Almost all of the hikes below involve an element of driving. Thinking of taking an extended hiking break? Leasing a car might be a good option. If you’ve got friends in the…
Roberta Arpan Hiking in the heat comes with very specific challenges. To help ensure a safe hike this summer, think SHADE: Selection, Hydration, Avoid, Dress and Educate. Selection: When the temperature soars, select your hike carefully. Drive to a higher altitude where it will be cooler and more likely to be shaded by trees. Choose…
Roberta Arpan The statistics are in showing the Sun Lakes Hiking Club enjoyed another very successful season. The number of Sun Lakers on the membership roll increased to 215, up 49 members this year and 81 members in the last two years. In an effort to keep the numbers on each hike manageable, club leaders…
Roberta Arpan In addition to the 13 regularly scheduled hikes for the month of April, two special events wrapped up the 2015-2016 season. On April 1 the annual Hiking Club spring picnic and awards ceremony was well attended by approximately 100 participants. After feasting on grilled hot dogs, attendees were led in a sing-along of…
Roberta Arpan The Sun Lakes Hiking Club is supported entirely by its members. Hike leaders are the backbone of this organization and the hike coordinators are the heart. In 2010 when Marilyn and Dennis Harkins took over the responsibilities of Hike Coordinator, the club offered two hikes each week and the job description was quite…
Roberta Arpan On a recent brisk and sunny morning, 26 Sun Lake hikers met for another awesome outdoor experience. Their destination was Inspiration Point in the McDowell Preserve north of Scottsdale. Some may think desert hiking is all about sinking your boots in sand while looking over a stark grayish sea of small pebbles in…
Roberta Arpan Spring is in the air and the popularity of hiking among Sun Lakers continues to blossom! The Sun Lakes Hiking Club has now found it necessary to schedule several additional hikes each month to accommodate the number of residents who want to take to the trails. Club members (and “wanna be” members) have…
Roberta Arpan The Sun Lakes Hiking Club is one of the most active and fastest growing organizations in the Sun Lakes community. It was loosely organized in 1987 when a handful of hikers met each week to explore the natural wonders of Arizona. Today, 192 active members are offered as many as four hikes a…
Roberta Arpan Imagine this: You are hiking high in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Wilderness late in the afternoon; thunder echoes in a nearby canyon, the wind is picking up and darkness is approaching when you finally reach your campsite. A steady rain is beginning to fall and you quickly put up your tent. Ah but,…
Roberta Arpan Having completed three 10-day hiking treks in Europe and New Zealand, helicopter hiking in the Canadian Rockies and hiking with two wonderful clubs for the past 14 plus years, I considered myself to be experienced. I’d been hiking all summer with the online-knowledge of Zero Expedition, I found myself in the Enchanted Forests…