The first hike of 2014 was on January 6th. Twenty-five hikers enjoyed a challenging trail on the north side of Pass Mountain to the “Saddle.” It was a sunny but blustery day. Andrea listed the trail as being 4+ miles round trip but two GPS users said it was 2.8 one way (x2=5.6). But oh, it is a beautiful trail with views of the Goldfield Mountains, Four Peaks, and the fountain at Fountain Hills.

Our first hike in February was at Picketpost Mountain near Superior, AZ. It is part of the famous Arizona Trail that starts at the border of Mexico and goes all the way to Utah, 499 miles from the Picketpost Trailhead!

Hikers on the bluffs on the Salt River

Two Bald Eagle seen on Salt River Buff

Hackberry Rescue February 17, 2014

Here is a miracle story from the Hackberry Springs hike. One of our hikers brought a visiting teenage granddaughter. She was doing a great job on the hike but at the springs, a good three miles into the loop, she took a fall and injured her knee. An Ace bandage wrap helped her somewhat but the dilemma was how to get her back to the trailhead. We didn’t have long to worry because two men on horseback rode up and one rider said, “If she doesn’t mind riding behind me, I can take her.” Just when we needed it, a knight (wrangler) on a white (and brown) horse offered assistance! This little gal told us she always wanted to ride a horse in Arizona, just not quite like that. The good news is she broke no bones and is recovering nicely.

Seventeen hikers visited the ruins of Tortilla Ranch with an exciting photo session with an angry rattlesnake. A very cooperative Crotaphytus collaris in his brilliant green suit posed on a rock for photographs.

Crotaphytus collaris on the trail to Tortilla Ranch - March 10, 2014

Hikers visited the ruins of Tortilla Ranch - March 10, 2014

Dreamland Villa Retirement Community
320 N. 55th Place, Mesa, AZ 85205
(480) 832-3461

Adult 55+ Community

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