HIKE -- PINNACLE PEAK & Hikers Reunion at Pinnacle Peak Patio
- February 19, 2012 · 11:45 AM
A fun hike followed by frolic at the Pinnacle Peak Patio Road House (a few hundred yards from the trailhead). … The Pinnacle Peak trail is rated easy to moderate and is relatively short (3 ½ miles). The trail is well manicured and they even take time to label and identify plants and there is other informative signage.
Our hikes are generally at a pace conducive to social banter of interest to heathens, and allowing for time for photography of the local geology and wildlife, so, expect this hike to last about 2- 3 hours. However, since this is an out-and-back trail, hikers may set their own pace, and go whatever distance they choose.
Here are photos from our previous hikes here:
12/8/11,
http://www.meetup.com/phoenix-atheists/photos/5013632/
4/10/11,
http://www.meetup.com/phoenix-atheists/photos/1341755/
12/19/10,
http://www.meetup.com/phoenix-atheists/photos/1194831/
Here’s a website which will give you a better understanding and appreciation of the trail and its nature:
http://www.arizona-vacation-planner.com/pinnacle-peak-trail.html
here’s a trail map:
http://www.pinnaclepeakpark.com/trailmap.asp
here are a couple “geostories” about the peak and its rocks:
http://www.gemland.com/geostories/identity.pdf
http://www.gemland.com/geostories/bones.pdf
HIKE SUMMARY:
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time: 2-3 hrs.
Difficulty: moderate
Trail: smooth packed dirt
Elevation: 2576 -2880 ft.
change: 300 ft. and another 200 ft. … twice each.
Parking: small lot
Tailhead GPS: 33° 43’ 39.75” N, 111° 51’ 38.70” W
Pinnacle Peak Patio GPS: 33° 43’ 38.44” N, 111° 51’ 19.96” W
Entry fees: no
Dogs: NO
REMINDERS:
Always carry and drink plenty of water!
Sunscreen is advised.
Supportive footwear is also advisable.
SAFETY FIRST… we have no medical provisions
How to find us: Meet at the Pinnacle Peak Park trailhead. (See directions below) …. If lost or late, my cell is [masked].
TO GET THERE: From the Loop 101 freeway: exit at Princess Drive (Exit 36)/ Pima Rd. and head east to/on Pima Road. Take Pima Road north for about 4.5 miles, then turn east on Happy Valley Road, driving for two miles. Turn north on Alma School Road and take it one mile to Pinnacle Peak Parkway. Turn left onto Pinnacle Peak Parkway and follow the road north for about ½ mile. Turn west (left) at the signed park entrance. If you go a little too far on Alma School Road, you can turn left at E. Jomax Rd. and take it about ¾ mile to park entrance. We will meet right at the trailhead.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR CARPOOLERS:
Carpooling can save gas but also enhance the social experience. If you’d like to carpool, you must contact others for arrangements. You could email members or post on this announcement page comments.
Although you may know of better choices, and I want to hear of them, I can suggest these carpool locations around the valley:
Those traveling from north or northwest of Phoenix could meet at the park-n-ride just west of I-17 on the south side of Bell Rd OR just west of I-17 just south of Happy Valley Rd. From these two you can take the 17 to the 101. Allow about 45 minutes to get to the trailhead.
Those traveling from the west or southwest of Phoenix could meet at the park-n-ride at 10
W. Broadway Road - just south of the 60/17 at northwest corner of Central and Broadway . . 2 miles
from 7th Av OR 7th St and Freeway 60/17. From there you can follow the 60/17 east to the 101. Allow about 55 minutes to get to the trailhead.
Those traveling from the Tempe/Mesa area could meet at the parking lot just north of the 60 on Alma
School Rd. . . enter Fiesta Mall toward the west from Alma School Rd. and park straight ahead at the
perimeter of the parking lot across from Best Buy. From there you can follow the 60 to the 101 north.
Allow about 45 minutes to get to the trailhead.
Following the hike: At 3pm Pinnacle Peak Patio will open early just for us. This is perhaps our favorite post hike rehydration party place and we’ve had good times there. Check out their link:
When first opened in 1957, the Pinnacle Peak was a general store and rest stop for travelers heading to nearby lakes. What started as a weekend cookout has grown into the world's largest western steakhouse. But it is much more. It has its own brewery and an old-fashioned saloon-style bar. It has a room set aside for displays only of early Arizona beer memorabilia (esp. A-1 Pilsner). In other rooms, there are walls with display cases of western memorabilia (badges, stirrups, etc.). In one of the dancing areas (country western music) is an aquarium with live rattlesnakes. Pinnacle Peak Patio is renowned for its "no necktie" tradition. Don’t wear one or they’ll cut it off. Over the past 48 years Pinnacle Peak has cut over a million ties from unsuspecting customers. The neckties are stapled to the rafters along with business cards identifying the victim… and there are many thousands hanging throughout the place. You can read more about it here:
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Al Tomas
An all-time record turn out... Great group. Good weather. Wonderful time.
February 20, 2012
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Paula Petersen
hi Kenton- thanks for the reply... I have a feeling my fun day of hiking and hanging out with the group is going to get cancelled :( A few things have popped up- if I get to go this Sunday, I'll just see you up there...
February 17, 2012
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Kenton
Paula, I'm leaving from South Tempe, but really early to attend the Computer Swap Meet at Scottsdale Pavilions - just to ridicule the geeks, of course...
February 17, 2012
31 attended
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Amanda Collins +1
Checked-in -
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Ginger +1
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Stuart Krone +1
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Merle Long +1
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David S
West Side Organizer
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A former member
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A former member+2 guests
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A former member
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