Adventure Group

Reflections and Invitation from the Corte Bella Adventure Club submitted by Rich Ingram

Looking for fun exercise, great fellowship, and fine lunches? Consider joining the Corte Bella Adventure Group. Members of the club lead scheduled hikes and bike rides in county parks, conservation areas, and national forests to see the beautiful wilderness of Arizona along with all the desert plants, flowers, lakes, streams and gorgeous mountains.

Hikes are usually on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Most of the hikes are within a half hour drive with a few exceptions. Hikes vary in length from about 3 miles to 9 miles. Some example of past hikes include:

• Yavapi and Pipeline Trails at Lake Pleasant (3 or 5 miles)

• Mesquite Canyon Trail in the White Tanks ( 6.5 or optional 9.5 miles)

• Hot Shots Trail in Granite Mountain (6 miles)

• Munds Wagon to Cow Pie to Hangover Loop in Sedona (8.2 miles)

• Go John Trail in Cave Creek Regional Park (6 miles)

• Thunderbird Conservation Park (3 miles)

The hikes usually have a slower and shorter hike along with a faster and longer hike. For example, at Lake Pleasant the slower group does the Yavapi trail for a 3 mile hike and the faster group does the Yavapi and the Pipeline for a 5 mile hike. So both levels of hikers are welcome.

Most of the group meet for lunch at a nearby restaurant after the hikes to enjoy lunch.

Bike rides are every Wednesday and Sunday and usually take place on the quiet roads in Sun City West. These rides are usually about 20 - 25 miles long with a coffee break midway. Occasionally the group does longer rides. The group also often meets on Saturday and members have the option to hike, bike on a nice nike path, or mountain bike at Apache Wash in the Sonoran Preserve.

In addition to the exercise the club gives one the opportunity to meet a lot of nice people. I personally have made many new friends that has led to vacations together as well as dining in the area, golf, bowling, and parties.

We usually meet at the Anacapa parking lot from 7 - 9 AM depending on the weather. Enjoy some fun, exercise, and socializing with fellow adventurers by signing up at www.meetup.com and look up the Corte Bella Adventure Group to see the schedule of events and to become a member. If you have trouble you can email sd85383@gmail.com.