Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
Need to set up your free e-Newspaper all-access account? click here.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Register to comment
Click here create a free account for posting comments.
Note that free accounts do not include access to premium content on this site.
I am anchor
Neighbors
Sun City Hikers prepping for return to trails
COVID-19 restrictions will be in effect
Posted
By Art Huseonica
The Sun City Hikers Board of Directors met to finalize plans for hikes and events in spring of 2021.
During the pandemic, all club hikes and events were canceled as were the in-person meetings. This included all fall 2020 hikes and events. After several Zoom meetings, the club is ready to move forward with a viable plan for 2021. Board members realize that changing health issues could delay or cancel their plans under the guidance of Maricopa County and Arizona Department of Health Services mandates.
Only 38 hikes are planned for the upcoming months throughout Arizona at three primary levels of difficulty. Members were informed that if they have any concerns about contracting COVID-19 they should not participate in any of the hikes. Advance registration is required for each hike. All hikes will start at the designated trailhead and there will be no pre-hike assembly at locations in Sun City. Recreational Centers of Sun City officials now prohibits the club from meeting in any RCSC parking lot.
“We have been very cautious about planning for 2021, which includes many health unknowns,” Doug Batey, Sun City Hikers new president, said. “The health of our members and others on the trails is of primary importance.”
The club will be flexible with ramping into the spring hiking season as guided by regional COVID-19 health issues. Current mitigation guidelines for hikes include everyone wearing face masks when assembling at the designated hike’s trailhead and maintaining social distancing during hikes. Each hike is limited to 20 hikers, divided into two groups of 10 each. Hike leaders will be stringently enforcing the guidelines.
“By adhering to the club’s COVID-19 mitigation guidelines and because hiking is an outdoor activity, we believe an acceptable level of safety can be achieved,” said Mr. Batey.
The Sun City Hikers previously elected a new board of directors. The new president is Mr. Batey, vice-president is Debbie Frank, tech team representative is Dick Hobbs and past president is Beth Smith.
Organized in 1973, the Sun City Hikers is a non-chartered club and membership is open to anyone 55 and older.
