Trailblazers out for the awards and pot luck. [photo by Tom]

GPS Map     by Tom S

It is time for the Trail Blazers Annual Awards and pot luck hike. As we traveled to the Cave Creek Regional Park group ramada to start our day the road is block by ballons. Soon they are out of the way and we can start setting up.

Balloons block our way/i>

Balloons off to our right

A respectably large group of Trailblazers assembled on a chilly 37 degree morning at Cave Creek Regional Park for a meeting of hiking, eating and awards. After crockpots were plugged in and garage sale items organized, we split into 3 hiking groups- long, middle and short. We let the long hikers get a head start and then the middle and short hikers started on their way.

Checking out the food

Short hike description:
Billie led 4 hikers on a 3 mile exploration of the park.
The short hike never really left the sight of the group ramada. It runs in a big loop to the side of the mountain. Where we take the Clay Mine trail to the Overton trail on the far end of the mountain. Then back to the group site with the food getting readly.

Checking out the trail signs

Checking out the Maricapa trail sign

Tamar description of the middle hike:
Neil generously stepped in to lead a group of 8 hikers on a 4.7 mile hike. We kept a nice pace shedding jackets when we started a sunny uphill, and putting them pack on during the shady downhill. As we ended the planned loop and could see down to our picnic ramada and had only completed 3 miles, we decided to check out a nearby mine. We made our way down, peered into the blocked entrance, and started back up again.

Middle group of hikers

Hiking in Cave Creek

Getting on top of the ridge

looking over the valley

We ended the nice leisurely hike at the ramada with lots of warm yummy food, salads and desserts waiting to welcome us back.

Plenty of food

Li description of the longer hike:
Twelve trailblazers optioned for the long version of the hike after setting up the award picnic site. We started at Ramada #2 and then went east along the Overton Trail, steering south to the Go John Trail. At the Go John Trailhead, we did introductions and then headed east to make a counterclock wise Go John loop.

The group going for the longer hike [Photo by Lin]

Twelve trailblazers for a longer hike.
The weather was a little chilly in the beginning although it was mid-morning. After a gentle climb, everyone warmed up quickly.

Starting the up hill climb

Tom is in the lead by Li
A few of us walked at a fast pace in the front, five others were in the middle at a moderate pace, and Rodney and Jackie stayed behind to make sure no one turned in the wrong direction.

Open desert in the back of the park

Happy walk in the desert,
It was a relatively easy hike in the beautiful Sonoran desert, and the trail was very well-marked at each intersection. A few of us stopped for a pictures on the beautiful hill where we could see Skull Mesa far away and other mountain ranges.

Time to eat

A delicious and sunny lunch was had by all- -complete with savory meatballs, beef stew, bao dumplings, chicken soup and more. Salads and vegetable options also were available and savory and desserts of apple cake , Girl Scout cookies and more ended the meal on a sweet note. The awards were awarded - congratulations Li on being the hiker of the year! And congratulations Lin on being hike leader of the year! Special awards were given to recognize Lin, our immediate past president.
Ted, our outgoing webmaster, and Rodney, our volunteer coordinator.

Even non hikers are welcome to our pot luck

Garage sale of hiking and kayaking gear

Plenty of room for seating

Ramada has room for everyone

Taking it easy back at the Ramada

Rodney, our volunteer coordinator.

Nice to sit and enjoy the outdoors.