Weaver's Needle Hike

The Queen Valley Wednesday Hiking Group met up at the pickleball courts and divided the troops into cars and trucks. The Peralta Trailhead was our starting point for a 6-mile hike up to Fremont Saddle. This hike ascends 1400 ft from the trailhead to the saddle where you get a spectacular view of Weaver's Needle. Because hikers consider this to be one of the must-do hikes of this region, Linda and I were really looking forward to this adventure.

We left the trailhead at 8:55 AM and climbed a beautiful trail up over rocks, on switchbacks, and hard rock; a rigorous hike in the morning sun. The scenery on the way up was stunning. When we hit the saddle we were treated to a spectacular panoramic view of the volcanic plug called Weaver's Needle. 

At this point, many of the group ate lunch. Others hiked the additional 1/4 mile to a tree for a closer view of the Needle.  The pictures taken from this viewpoint do not do justice to the landscape before your eyes. The vista is breathtaking and the height of the sheer dropoffs surrounding the point does not come through in the photos.

While the group that hiked to the tree ate lunch, the rest of the group started hiking back down to the rigs. I was with the group at the tree and once we finished our snacks, we hustled back down the trail.  This hike took us 5:02:55 to complete. I can assure you that Linda and I were tired when we got home. We hit the hot tub and soaked some very tired muscles.

Telegraph Canyon Hike

Picket Post Mountain

This week's Wednesday hiking group hike had us heading east to Superior and then into the hills at the base of Picket Post Mountain. Twenty-two hikers gathered at the trailhead and then made their way into Telegraph Canyon for a five-mile hike. This was a very nice, easy hike up several canyons. Our trail followed the creek bed through Arnett Canyon. We left Arnett and followed Telegraph Canyon for a bit. This trail led us to a beautiful open area with canyon walls in front of us. We stopped and ate our lunches there. The scenery was great and so was the company.

Go right at the Teddy Bear/Duck???

Riding the trail.

Lunch stop at the turnaround point.

They called this The Monolith.

Dave Bloom found this arrowhead in our parking lot.

Our Days Go By

 As the days go by, Linda and I get more and more settled into daily routines. We hike, walk and Linda runs. Both of us have started playing pickleball, a new obsession. We have had a few cloudy days where the sun avoided us, but it is definitely better than freezing cold temperatures and snow on the ground. 

Just Looking Around

Rolly Jurgens picked me up in his Razor and we did some looking around.  He showed me the route up to a starting point for a hike that would take me to an old Indian village site.  I decided to wait until Linda could accompany me before I hiked up that trail. Then we drove down to a wash and went exploring at a place that was said to be part of the wagon train watering stops.  There were several old building foundations that made us wonder exactly how the place was used back in the day.  It was fun looking around at all the junk left behind. 

Pickleball: A New Obsession

I returned to QVRV and walked up to find Linda and Jeannie playing pickleball.  It looks like Linda has a new sport to add to her fitness program.  We have actually bought paddles to play with so look out all you local pickle ballers. We are coming for you. 

Short Slot Hike

Wednesday, Linda and I joined three other folks, John, Irina, and Sherry, on a short slot canyon hike located just south of Superior, AZ. The hike followed a stream bed into the rocks and up a short waterfall. There was very little water in the stream at this time so we mostly just scrambled up the rocks.  It was a very nice hike and we enjoyed talking to our fellow hikers.  As it turned out, Sherry is from Montana and she had been on several canoe trips with two friends I knew from NIC many years ago. Just another small world moment in our lives.