What we’re about
The Sun Lakes Hiking Club is a fun and social oriented group that is open to individuals who either 1) reside, rent or lease in Sun Lakes or Sunbird or 2) are former residents who maintain their annual membership in The Club.
The Sun Lakes Hiking Club began in 1985. By 1987 the group was official with by-laws, prescheduled weekly hikes, designated hike leaders, and rules designed to make group hiking fun, challenging, and safe.
Group hikes are scheduled from November through April. Hikers meetup at Cottonwood Country Club parking lot at 7:45 am from November through February. In March and April, hikers assemble at 6:45 am. Members may or may not carpool to the hikes and share expenses based on distance to the trailhead. Detailed descriptions of hikes are on this website.
Motivated hikes are more rigorous, faster paced and stop less frequently; Moderate Monday and Wednesday hikes are less strenuous and more "social"; Mellow Monday hikes are the easiest basic hikes or walks.
*1st TIME HIKERS TO THE CLUB MUST CALL THE HIKE LEADER BY SATURDAY BEFORE THE HIKE. New hikers must sign a "Release from Liability" Form at your first hike. You must successfully complete two hikes and have the hike leader sign-off. You are then eligible to complete a Membership Application, and pay a one-time $10 initiation and the $5 annual club dues. Signing in on the Club website does not make you a Sun Lakes Hiking Club member.
Equipment recommended for hiking includes 1) good hiking boots and socks, 2) a sunhat, sunscreen and sunglasses, 3) a backpack or fanny pack capable of carrying adequate water for the hike, 4) a snack or lunch, and 5) basic first aid supplies. Other useful items include one or two hiking poles, a comb or tweezers for removing cacti stickers, and a jacket.
HIKE RATING CODES used by the Sun Lakes Hiking Club are:
• Motivated Hikes = Intermediate - Moderately Difficult: 7 - 10 miles and/or 1000 to 2000+ feet elevation gain
• Moderate Hikes = Somewhat Easy: Less than 7 miles and less than 1000 feet elevation gain
• Mellow Hikes = Leisurely pace: Less than 5 miles and less than 500 feet elevation change
• Hike leaders determine variables affecting the hike and may add (+) or (-) to the rating.
President: Paul Feeney (feeneyp@rocketmail.com)
Vice President: Warren Wasescha
Secretary: Diane Alessi
Treasurers: Vince LeBlanc & Fritz Neufeld
Communications: Warren Wasescha
Web Coordinator: Barb Smith
Hike Coordinator: Scott Downey
- Mellow Hikes: Ginny & Al Metz
- Moderate Hikes: Jim Bauer
- Motivated Hikes: Marilyn Harkins
Social Coordinator: Tim Donovan
If you have questions or need information about the club please email the president. If you have comments about or corrections to the information about current hikes on this site please email the hike coordinators. If you have questions or comments about this website please email the web coordinator.
Upcoming events
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MODERATE: Hackberry Springs from Weaver’s Needle Vista Viewpoint
Cottonwood Country Club off Riggs Road, 25630 S Brentwood Dr,, Sun Lakes, AZ, USModerate Hike: Hackberry Springs from Weavers Needle Vista Viewpoint
Trail Distance: 6.3 miles
AEG 700 feet
Weavers Needle Vista Viewpoint: 2100 feet
80 miles R/T; Driver Fee $7
Hike Leader - Scott Downey, 503-936-7239
Hackberry Springs Loop hike in the Superstitions is very scenic. The trailhead is paved and good sized, so parking will not be a problem. However, there are no restroom facilities available, so we will be stopping by the QT gas station as we drive through Apache Junction.
This is an moderate hike with some beautiful views. The prehike was done December 30th. The first 1.5 miles is a new area not previously part of this hike. Sections of the hike do show some burn damage that occurred summer of 2024, but those areas are recovering nicely. Other areas are pristine. This year it is exceptionally green and wildflowers are blooming
Hiking poles are needed because about 1/4 of the hike has us in riverbeds. Other parts of the trail has loose rocks too. Here is a link with some historical about Hackberry Springs and First Water ranch where we will take our break. Hackberry Springs | Jacob Emerick's Blog
About 1/3 of the hike will be through riverbeds so trekking poles are recommended. Drving time is about 50 to 60 minutes each way and hike time is around 3 1/2 hours. Expect to be back at the Cottonwood parking lot around 1:30pm or 2pm.
If using a GPS device for driving directions enter “Weavers Needle Vista Viewpoint” into your device.
Driving Directions:
Leave Cottonwood parking lot and turn right onto Riggs Road. Take a left turn at McQueen Road. Continue North then go right onto Loop 202 East.
Follow Loop 202 East to US-60 East (exit 30A) towards Apache Junction. From US-60 East take exit 196 for Hwy88 (Idaho Rd) in Apache Junction.
Turn left at the end of the off-ramp. Stay on Hwy 88. After apx. 2.4 miles, then turn right at the traffic light to stay on Hwy88. This section of Hwy88 is called “Apache Trail Road”.
***A restroom break will be done at the QT gas station which is at the SE corner of Idaho Road and Old West Hwy (it’s BEFORE the right turn onto Apache Trail Rd.
Drive on Apache Trail Road 7.2 miles and then turn right into the Weaver’s Needle Vista Viewpoint, which is marked with a sign and separate right turn lane.
80 miles R/T; Driver Fee $7
Call hike leader, Scott Downey, at 503-936-7239 if you need assistance.
Historical Information about First Water Ranch and Hackberry Springs:
First Water Ranch was one of the three ranches owned by the Barkley Cattle Company, operated by William Augustus “Tex” Barkley, a major figure in early Superstition Mountain ranching
Origins and Ownership:
The Barkley cattle operation began around 1876. Tex Barkley owned three ranches:
- Quarter Circle U Ranch – his main home
- First Water Ranch – home of his son, William T. “Bill” Barkley
- Three R’s Ranch
Role in the Superstition Mountains:
The Barkley ranches—including First Water—held grazing rights across much of the Superstition Mountains during the early 20th century. This meant:
- Cattle were run through the First Water area
- Ranch hands maintained water sources, including the spring-fed areas near today’s Hackberry Springs
- Trails like First Water Trail, Second Water Trail, and Dutchman Trail follow old ranch routes and cattle paths.
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Past events
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