Phoenix, Arizona, has many hiking clubs where members and non-members alike can hike with like-minded others. Phoenix and the suburbs have many options for hiking and other outdoor activities near and far from the city. The hiking clubs not only schedule hikes, but they also engage in environmental protection, backpacking, camping trips and social activities.
Types
Since Phoenix is a major metropolitan area, there are plenty of hiking clubs that you can choose from based on your age, marital status, fitness level and interests. Some of the hiking clubs are solely centered around hiking, while others offer social activities for their members, like dining out and getting together at local parks for picnics and hikes.
Besides hiking and camping, some of the clubs schedule backpacking trips where the members can spend several nights under the stars in the mountains in the summer and the deserts in the winter. One of the hiking clubs in Phoenix, Friends Hiking, goes on hikes in other states and even to Mexico.
Benefits
Membership in hiking clubs in the Phoenix metro area is a good way for you to meet people who enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities. Going on a hike with a group of people is also safer than striking out alone, especially in the Phoenix metro area where some of the mountain trails are rugged, especially those found on Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak. While you hike, you can learn tips from more experienced hikers about walking on loose rock and learn techniques for steep up and downhill grades.
Since Phoenix summers are long and hot, many of the hiking clubs in Phoenix head north or east to the mountains where temperatures may be as much as 30 degrees cooler. The hiking clubs encourage carpooling because it saves energy and pollutes the air less, a substantial benefit for the environment.
Activities
Some of the hiking clubs in Phoenix schedule camping trips along with hikes. A few of the clubs are also active in promoting environmental issues, especially the Sierra Club's Palo Verde chapter located in Phoenix. The club has meetings where experts talk about energy conservation and using renewable energy to improve the environment and help members save money.
The Sierra Club also has a program in Phoenix where members take disadvantage youth and adults on hikes throughout the city to introduce their guests to the joys of hiking and explain the natural habitat of the desert. This program, the Inner City Outings, also accommodates people who are hearing, physically or visually challenged as well.
Considerations
Some of the hiking clubs in Phoenix have no membership fees, but almost all ask that you provide some reimbursement for expenses, especially when car pooling. Some of the parks or trail heads have fees that all hikers must pay individually.
Finding a club that has hikes at your level of expertise is a good idea. Some of the hiking clubs specifically state the fitness level and hiking skills that members have so that you can find hiking peers with whom you will feel comfortable and maintain an equal pace.
Warning
Make sure you bring along enough food and water when hiking, even with a group. The state has a dry climate most of the year, and the water in the rivers and lakes is not potable without treatment. If the hiking club leadership recommends certain types of footwear to go on a hike, it's a good idea to heed the instructions. Some trails in Arizona have difficult spots, even though they might be rated at a medium difficulty level.
Even though you are in a group, it's still possible to run across animals like coyotes and rattle snakes. Scorpions also inhabit the deserts, so when picking up an interesting rock, use your foot to kick it over first to make sure there are no spiders or insects underneath.
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