Sun City hikers always go prepared

Water? Check. Binoculars? Check. Compass? Check.

Hiking through the desert hasn't changed much since pioneers trekked westward. It's just that today, it's done for recreation.

Members of the Sun City hiking club, officially known as the Friends of Lone Mountain Hiking Club, schedule one hike every week.

"Sometimes we take hikes where you go boulder hopping," said Etchica Segler, a club member. "So you don't want to go on that one if you have bad knees."

There are plenty of trails from which to choose. The group, ranging in age from 55 to the early 80s, has hiked trails at Red Rock, the Sheep Range, Spring Mountains and Valley of Fire. About 25 people show up each time.

Every once in a while they travel to California for day hikes in Death Valley or Mitchell Caves, southeast of Baker, Calif. Another day trip is Zion National Park in Utah. But mostly they stay close to Las Vegas.

Favorite hikes include Twin Peaks and Anniversary Mine, both near Lake Mead. For the latter, they take along flashlights and make sure the mine is not inhabited by snakes or scorpions before entering. The mine's access, Segler said, goes back only 20 feet and there's little chance of a cave-in.

Hikes usually last about four hours, but three years ago the group tackled Mount Charleston. The strenuous hike up to nearly 12,000 feet and back took 10 hours, 12 if counting the drive.

But it was Turtlehead Trail in Red Rock Canyon that was called the most challenging. The trek included going through washes and dealing with loose rock, which made their feet slip backward with each step.

"Sometimes people try to back out of hikes," Segler said. "But we (cajole them into continuing). When they get up there and see the view, they're so happy they did it."

The group varies which day of the week they go, so members won't miss out on other scheduled activities. They don't venture out on weekends because the trails get crowded. Prior to every hike, each person signs a waiver for insurance purposes.

"Two of our people had heart attacks while they were hiking," said Ralph Whittle, club president. "At the time, they didn't know it, they just said they weren't feeling good."

It was only later when they got back to town and saw their doctors that they learned what had happened.

Actually, quite a few of the members are retired physicians. Their expertise is rarely called on when on the trails, just for occasional bumps and scrapes.

The group started about eight years ago with five members. Last year there were 185 on its roster. Bill Dillon is probably the most gung ho member. A 20-year Army veteran, he rarely misses a hike and often acts as trail leader.

Walking in the desert means being prepared. Bringing a small first aid kit is advised, as are the usual items of modern life in the desert -- sunglasses, visors and sunscreen.

There's one more thing the Sun City hikers usually take, something pioneers didn't have, a cell phone.

Sun City residents who wish to join the club can contact Whittle at 233-9888.