Judith Kuse Hiking in the desert calls for good preparation and a keen sense of one’s capabilities. Hydration is of utmost importance. Drink a liter of water one to two hours before hiking. Carry one liter of water per hour you plan to hike, especially when it’s hot or you’re hiking at a higher altitude.…
Judith Kuse The Sun Lakes Hiking Club (SLHC) is excited to welcome hikers of every skill level to its 2017-18 hiking season, which officially begins November 1, and also extends a special invitation to new-to-Sun Lakes hikers. The club’s Fall Picnic and first meeting of the season will be held at Oasis Park in Sun…
Judith Kuse As October brings us ever closer to the onset of the Sun Lakes Hiking Club’s official season, it’s also time for a book recommendation. This book, a true story, will likely whet your appetite for upcoming hiking and exploration, and will certainly entertain those of you who are, or have ever been, in…
Judith Kuse Sun Lakes Hiking Club members were recently asked to recommend memorable summer hikes they’ve taken in locales outside of the Valley of the Sun. These hikes may be of interest to those who return to the northern states or Canada for the summer, plan to vacation away from the Phoenix area during the…
The National Park Service calls it “Quintessential Arizona.” It is only accessible from November-April, and one needs to make a tour reservation to hike it. In an effort to reduce impact on this sensitive backcountry site, hikers are only permitted on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. There is one tour a day, and it leaves…
Judith Kuse Arizona hikers will often tell you that they hike because they value the opportunity to be outdoors, to experience the beauty of the Southwest and to see breathtaking vistas, interesting wildlife, beautiful birds and colorful wildflowers. Only occasionally will a hiker refer to hiking as an emotional adventure. However, if you take the…
Judith Kuse It’s tradition that when Sun Lakes Hiking Club gathers for its end-of-season picnic, awards are presented to deserving recipients. And again this year, in late March, the club did just that. Jerry Anderson, a Moderate Hike leader, and Liz Morque, a Mellow Hike leader, received Hike Leader Awards for having the most hikers…
Judith Kuse Each winter for the past 12 years, the Sun Lakes Hiking Club leadership has offered members a Special Hike. Special Hikes involve traveling to another region of the Southwest and exploring it through daily hikes, shared dinners and experiences highlighting the region’s unique character. This year, the club traveled via Yuma, Arizona, to…
Judith Kuse You’re heading out for a hike in Arizona early on a beautiful April morning. To ensure you can meet most hiking challenges, what should you have with you in your backpack? According to Stu Frost, a SLHC leader, a well-stocked fanny pack or day pack can go a long way to ensuring your…
Judith Kuse Rattlesnakes are a fact of life in the Arizona desert. And now that it is spring, rattlesnakes are coming out of their winter sanctuaries and seeking the warmth of the sun. So in keeping with the Sun Lakes Hiking Club’s emphasis on safety while hiking, here is information (courtesy of a presentation by…