On May 17, the Trailblazers group of The Club in Fountain Hills bounced and careened over rough trails to Arizona’s famed Four Peaks.

The Four Peaks are prominent in the eastern skyline and are part of the Matzatzal Mountain Range of central Arizona. The group wanted an up-close view of Brown’s Peak (elevation 7,659 ft.) and the Three Sisters.

These four peaks are emblematic of the Four Peaks Wilderness area established in 1984. The famous Four Peak silhouette has been featured on Arizona license plates since 1996.

Club members participating in the road trip were Mike Bufford (driver), Dave Perry, Jon Rex, Glen Wollenberg, Jim Haar (driver), Keith Betsch, Bob Reitz, Murray Jones (driver), Randy Becklund, Joe Sommer, Jim Hannan, Dave Wingert (driver and group leader), Karl Buschman, Bob Titus and Pat Flynn.

This excursion was originally planned a few months earlier but was rescheduled due to a late-season snow squall. That turned into an advantage as the 7,000+ foot elevation provided cooler temperatures and a much-appreciated break from the valley’s late spring heat.

During the trip, the group explored 15-million-year-old deposits of ash and volcanic granite which solidified to form these mountains. The area teems with wildlife, gemstones and minerals such as the February birthstone, violet amethyst.

Since hiking in the Four Peaks Wilderness Area is potentially lethal due to weather and terrain extremes, the group was appropriately prepared with an abundance of water and first aid supplies.

Lone Pine Saddle, the starting point for hikes to Brown’s Peak and the Amethyst Trail was chosen as the group’s lunch spot. Lunch consisted of brisket sandwiches, chips and sodas.

When the returning Trailblazers were debriefed, the consensus was that visitors to the Four Peaks Wilderness do not need a 4X4 to explore this area, just go slow with a high clearance vehicle. All agreed the best part of the trip was the fellowship shared during lunch with a friendly group of trailblazing explorers.

For more information about Club membership or other Club events and activities, contact The Club in Fountain Hills at infotheclubfh@gmail.com or visit theclubfh.com.

The mission of The Club is to promote a non-profit, non-political, secular environment, where all Club members and their guests may associate for civilized conversation in a welcoming physical setting.

Members regularly gather for quality self-cooked dinners, card games, pool, a golf simulator and a convivial atmosphere with other successful men. The club’s primary rule; no politics, no religion and no judgment.