Hiking For Hops & other Adventures cover photo

Sat, Nov 30, 2024, 7:00 AM MSTPAYSON: Water Wheel Falls + Ellison Creek Cascades
Meeting@Target Parking Lot, Phoenix, AZ
Water Wheel Falls + Ellison Creek Cascades - PAYSON

This is the best hike in Payson area I have ever been on. It has EVERYTHING!!! Plenty of water, shade, sunshine, rock-hopping a little bit of steep climb, greenery all over, and new, exciting views at every turn.

Located in the rugged gorges below the Mogollon Rim, these two waterways, surrounded by Ponderosa pines, sycamores, willows and Gambel oaks, feed a ribbon of green. With easy access, this area is usually visited as hot-day swimming hole.

There is no official trail. It is more an arbitrary adventure along the creek until you've had enough.

The route Starts at the First Crossing, winds among the walls of a box canyon to the confluence of the East Verde River and Ellison Creek to a magnificent 40-foot waterfall, then continues to the Third Crossing. We will spend some great time walking the mini gorge and taking beautiful pictures.

DIFFICULTY: Moderate
TOTAL DISTANCE: 4 to 4.5 miles
ELEVATION CHANGE: 300-600 ft
HIKING TIME: 3+ hours
STYLE: in-around-and-out
DOGS: NO
FACILITIES at Trailhead: Restrooms

Note: These are fee areas for day-use only.
America the Beautiful and Tonto passes are accepted at all four sites.

THERE WILL BE A CARPOOL FOR THIS HIKE:

Deer Valley Towne Square, Phoenix, AZ
Target store I-17 and Loop 101 :

# 33°40'02.7"N 112°07'10.6"W

HOW TO FIND US:
7:00 a.m.
In front of Target store close to freeway / Beardsley road.
(see pin on map)

LEAVING CARPOOL at 7:10 a.m.
Starting from trailhead at 9:15 -ish

RSVP: PICK ONE
will you meet us at the CARPOOL or at TRAILHEAD ? <– PICK ONLY ONE

DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD:

From the 260 / 87 intersection in Payson, go north on 87 a couple of miles to the Houston Mesa turnoff on the right
Travel on Houston Mesa Road (FR 199) for 7 miles to
First Crossing Day Use Area

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/33.667544,-112.119442/34.342212,-111.2904385/@33.9373811,-111.8970206,10z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0

VERY IMPORTANT:
(we don't want to leave anyone behind):

RSVP: PICK ONE
will you meet us at the CARPOOL or at TRAILHEAD ? <– PICK ONLY ONE

UNLESS you CONFIRM that you will meet at THE CARPOOL we expect to SEE YOU AT THE TRAILHEAD.

VERY IMPORTANT TOO:
If you sign up for the hike, and you change your mind------just change your RSVP. It helps the host prepare, and its polite.
8 attendees+3
Sun, Dec 22, 2024, 5:00 PM MSTMoon Valley Christmas Lights Bicycle Ride & Dinner
Vegan and Vine, Phoenix, AZ
Moon Valley has a Christmas Light Decoration Contest that would make Clark Griswold green with envy.
They also have a nice series of bike friendly streets. We’ll take a leisurely ride through the neighborhood ooohhhhing and ahhhhing at the variety of displays covering about 10 to 15 miles on mostly flat streets and cul-de-sac’s. This is a very social ride so the pace will be slow and the conversation high. Feel free to decorate your bike and yourself.
We’ll start with dinner at Vegan & Vine. If you prefer to only come on the ride, plan to be at our starting point behind the restaurant in front of Safeway by 6:30. Let us know if you will join us for dinner or you are just riding. The ride will end at the starting point (well isn't that convenient!).

Dinner: 5:00 p.m. at Vegan & Vine: https://veganandvineco.com/menu/
Kick Stands Up at 6:30 p.m. in the Parking Lot behind the restaurant

After the Ride, if you are still up for Christmas frivolities, we'll go to my house and hang out with some beverage and any snack you care to bring. I'll grill hotdogs on the BBQ. Please bring your beverage of choice. I live 5 minutes from Vegan & Vine. I'll send out the address a few days before the ride, but you will also see me on the ride.

SAFETY FIRST!! HELMETS are REQUIRED because your brain is the only thing getting you home and you can't stay at my house. Also, front and rear LIGHTS are REQUIRED unless your bike is decorated by Jeannette. Bring plenty of water and I suggest dressing warm. It will get cool at night on a bicycle, but no fear, we'll warm you up after the ride. (Ken, bring the flame thrower).

As if this really needs to be said......but Joe told me to say it. You are responsible for you. Ride your own ride. We will regularly stop and allow stragglers to catch up so there is no need to ride with abandon, like Bob. DON'T BE LIKE BOB!!! Hanging off helicopters and shit, running up hills and doing stuff your Mom told you not to do. Be at one with your good old self. OK, done....questions? Post a comment, but come, this is always fun!
15 attendees+10
Sat, Feb 8, 2025, 7:00 AM MSTMADEIRA ISLAND - intermediate adventure (Feb 8-18)
Needs location
Madeira Island, (off Mainland Portugal)
wow... is all i can say,
The ultimate adventure of pristine landscapes, rugged terrain with levada's and waterfalls, A place not overrun with tourists, hikers, influencers and the general public.
This will be a combined effort by Joao (well-respected hike leader on the Island - https://www.instagram.com/joao_lets_hike/) and myself, together we have mapped some very solid days of hiking
We are in the final stages of publishing the costs, understand it is a complex process so we can capture all the island has to offer
*********************** ITINERARY *************************
Day 1) SAT 8 FEB: Flight to Lisbon (connection Philadelphia) Lisbon (Flight not included)
Day 2) SUN 9 FEB: Flight from Lisbon to Madeira island (LIS - FNC) Departure 08:25 LISBON Arrival 10:10 FUNCHAL. Transfer from the airport to your hotel Meliá Madeira Mare (stay there 8 nights) (Flight not included)
Day 3) MON 10 FEB: 5:30am Bica da Cana peak (1m -200'elv)- then shuttle to Fanal Forest(2m) then shuttle to 25 Fontes Hike (8m - 700'elv)
Day 4) TUE 11 FEB: 5:30am Vereda do Ponta de Sao Lourenco for Sunrise (4m - 300'elv). Boat Tour Lighthouse View 111 (2hrs). Hike back to the parking area (still looking for afternoon activity)
Day 5) WED 12 FEB: Hiking Serra D'Água Valley
Serra de Àgua Valley is one of the most beautiful places on earth, from here we can see the South Coast, Encumeada, Ribeira Brava, and Campanário. (8m - 300'elv)
Day 6) THU 13 FEB: Southwest of Madeira Island. Softer hike. Visiting an old and abandoned beach where wine was produced in the past. Ponta do Pargo village. Loop hike (6m - 1200'elv)
Day 7) FRI 14 FEB: 5:30am. Pico do Arieiro or Achada do Teixeira at Santana Village (9m - 1800'elv - 5hrs technical)
Monte Tropical Gardens (2hr walk)
Day 8) SAT 15 FEB: Nuns Valley loop hike - Today we head to the center of Madeira to climb the mountains of Nuns Valley. Loop hike.. (10m - 1600'elv)
Day 9) SUN 16 FEB: Optional for sunset or morning hike.
Pico Ruivo summit through an alternative route. Loop hike (may possibly change this hike)
Day 10) MON 17 FEB: Transfer from Meliá Madeira Mare to the airport - Flight from Madeira to Lisbon (FNC - LIS)
Departure 08:20 FUNCHAL Arrival 10:05 LISBON. - Transfer from the Airport to the Hotel in Lisbon.
Enjoy a 3-4 hours guided walking tour of Lisbon in the afternoon.
Day 11) TUE 18 FEB: Transfer from the Hotel in Lisbon to the airport.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More details/costs will be published here:
https://funtours.ca/tour/hiking-madeira-island-land-only

NOTE: this is the CDN PRICE ($2,580CDN) the USA PRICE IS ($1,887 USD)

ALSO: the price does not include your flight, AmericanAirlines (AA) offers a flight to Lisbon with a connection in Philadelphia - you will also need hopper flight (domestic) from Lisbon to Madeira Ismland (TAP Airlines) - I will provide specific details
1 attendee
Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 12:00 PM MSTMove Across 2 Ranges - Marana
Needs location
Annual fun hike challenge for all levels in Marana (north of Tucson). Hit the trails of your choice and experience the majesty of Southern Arizona's Tortolita & Santa Catalina Mountains! Hike, run or stroll through this fun event! $40 early registration, $50 after January 1st. Last year sold out by Jan 4th!

Friday night package pickup at Dragoon Brewery, Saturday hike and post-party at Catalina State Park. We’ll stay Friday and Saturday nights at the Best Western Inn Suites Tucson Foothills 6201 N. Oracle Rd, Tucson. Rooms start at $76 per night. Hot tub on-site! Breakfast included!
REGISTER HERE:
http://apm.activecommunities.com/marana
You will need to create an account with Marana Parks and Recreation if you do not already have one and then sign up. If you have any issues online, contact Jason Grodman [email protected] 520.382.3496
4 attendees

Hiking For Hops & other Adventures