March 24, 2023 Annual Picnic at the North Pavilion - 1:00 PM

 

The Annual Picnic was a great success. 

After arriving back from a hike at Picacho Peak Sunset Vista Trail, everyone enjoyed a wonderful picnic at the North Pavillion.

First is the food. 

John, Nellie and Jerry all helped organize the food for the picnic. 

The menu was every kind of Barros Pizza, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Beans, Chocolate Cake and Lemon Cake.  

Cathy and Pattie make cakes. Cathy made potato salad. John ordered Barros Pizza and Kentucky Fried Chicken. 

Preparation 

Mike is taping the tablecloths to the tables. 

John needed to pick up the Pizza and Kentucky Fried Chicken. 

                                       

Nellie, John, Denis, Jerry and Cathy served the food to a hungry crowd. 

Jerry's pictures 

It was a little cool in the shade of the tent, so everyone moved to the sunshine, before or after eating their meal. 

Nancy's pictures after the meal. 

John presented Certificates for Mileage.  Jerry and Nancy were given certificates for 125 miles. 

100+ mile certificates

75+ mile certificates

50+ mile certificates

50 mile Certificates

John presented Jerry and Nancy with a card from the Hiking Club. 

Denis and Mike also received cards. 

Nellie presented gifts to the leaders. In the gift bag were rocks made by Mary Jo, Cards and a gift certificate from money collected from hikers. The leaders thank  Palm Creek Hikers for their generous donations and a special thanks to Nellie for her creativity and fun.

Rock that Mary Jo, from the hiking club, made for the leaders. 

Thank You John, Nellie, Jerry, Cathy, Pattie, Denis and Mike for all you have done for the picnic.

 
See you next year! 

March 24, 2023 Hike at Picacho Peak, Sunset Vista Trail (Short and Medium and Long hike)

Short hikers went ahead of the others. Denis led this group. This group hiked the Sunset Vista Trail. 

The Medium and Long hiker's group picture.

Nancy led the long hiker's group. We hiked to a large rock past the two-mile post and then turned around. 4.8 miles. 

Nancy's Link to All Trails

I didn't turn on the All trails until we had already hiked 0.5 miles. (green dot)

Jerry's group hiked beyond the two-mile mark, then turned around. 4.25 miles. 

Jerry's pictures

Barb's pictures from Medium group

Directions to Picacho State Park:

From Palm Creek we exit left onto Henness Rd. to Florence and make a left and continue toward Tucson. Take I-10 south to Exit, # 219  and proceed right, up to the park entrance road to the gatehouse. There is a $7.00 entrance fee per vehicle with up to 4 occupants. There are restrooms just a short drive up the road past the gatehouse on the Hunter Trail Trailhead. From the restrooms, proceed on the main park road to the Sunset Vista Trailhead at the end of the road. There is ample parking here but no restrooms. It is 31 miles and takes about 25 minutes. 

Summary: This is a fairly gentle hike until you come to the southern face of the peak. This is where it becomes difficult and we will make our turn around here! The weather forecast is sunny and a high of 68 degrees. As usual, at least one hiking pole and sunscreen would be a good idea!