How long have Grand Hikers been in existence?
The Club was chartered as The Grand Hikers in February 2000 with 50 members.
How many members are in Grand Hikers?
Grand Hikers has approximately 330 members.
How do I join Grand Hikers and how much are the annual dues?
On the website Click on “Join Grand Hikers” from the Grand Hikers Home page to become a member. You are required sign a waiver and pay the required fees. Current annual fee is $15 plus a onetime charge for a name badge. Participation in an Introductory Hike is required to ensure that your fitness levels will match what is expected on hikes.
Prospective members can hike three times before deciding to join (requires approval of the Hike Director and Hike Leader).
Do I need to be an experienced or expert hiker to enjoy the club?
Hikers at all levels of experience become members. The Club uses a system for rating all hikes. The hike rating is called the Composite Boot Rating (CBR) and is based on the length of the hike, the total elevation gained, the trail surface conditions and other factors. A detailed explanation of the CBR formula is found under the Hiker tab. The rating is further broken down into categories of Easy, Moderate, Difficult and Strenuous so that members can simply identify a hike’s level. New hikers should start with the lower rated hikes and find out from experience what difficulty level they prefer.
How do I know whether I will enjoy hiking with the club?
If you enjoy being outdoors, getting exercise, seeing great scenery and visiting with fellow hikers, you will most likely enjoy Grand Hikers.
How does the Club foster hiking safety?
Grand Hikers acknowledge that hiking injuries are possible, but most can be avoided with proper preparation. Safety is stressed at every point of every hike.
Part of safety is utilizing the introductory hike. Introductory hikes are regularly offered on the first Wednesday of the month and frequently on additional dates during the peak hiking season. Completion of this hike is required for all new members regardless of hiking ability. This a relatively easy hike of about 4.6 miles and gives a good indication
of what desert hiking with a group is like. It also gives the hike leader a chance to evaluate your fitness level and help you decide which hiking level might fit your abilities. This is the only hike that does not require hiking footwear. The Introductory hike is led by experienced hike leaders who provide guidance on club hiking procedures, hiking
gear, hydration, and trail etiquette. Guests are allowed to hike three times before joining Grand Hikers is required. All hike leaders are experienced hikers, many with CPR and first aid training. Every hike has a hike leader and a sweep. Every hike begins with a circle-up that includes a discussion of hike’s difficulty. The hike leader(s) will also check
for proper hiking footwear, adequate water, and snacks. On every hike there are first aid kits and walkie-talkie type radios.
The club is supported by an active GPS special interest group (SIG) that helps members and hike leaders learn to use hiking GPS devices and hiking apps such as AllTrails.
The Safety Committee is a standing committee of Grand Hikers. This committee provides guidance and equipment to new and experienced hikers so that hikers are prepared for desert hiking conditions.
Where do Grand Hikers hike?
Maricopa County and the surrounding areas including regional and municipal parks. Examples are White Tanks, Lake Pleasant, McDowell-Sonoran, McDowell Mountain and Estrella Mountain Regional Parks. Additional hiking experiences include Superstition Wilderness, Sedona, Wickenburg, Cave Creek, Cottonwood, Prescott.
Referred to as Out-of-Area Hike Trips, Grand Hikers typically offer one or two per year that involve travel and overnight lodging for multiple days of hiking. Past locations have included Utah’s Grand Escalante National Monument, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Parks; Big Sur, California. Flagstaff, Tucson, Superstitions, Chiricahuas, and Cochise National Monuments all located in Arizona.
How often do Grand Hikers hike?
Grand Hikers typically offer five hikes each week with seasonal adjustments. Hikes are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and with occasional weekend hikes. Tuesday and Thursday more than one hike is offered each day with easier and more difficult options. During the summer months (May-Sept.), one hike is offered each week with early start times followed by optional breakfast.
Do I have to drive myself to the location of the hikes?
Carpools are arranged at the Spirit of Grace church parking lot where hikers and their leader(s) gather before every hike. Directions to the trailheads and appropriate reimbursement for expenses appear on Event descriptions and Trail Documents.
Does the Club have any social or other special activities?
Grand Hikers has an active Social Committee that typically arranges three or four social events each hiking year.
Community Involvement Grand Hikers invites various agencies requesting assistance to make presentations during general membership meetings.