We set out to hike the West Wing Mountain Loop, a route that looks innocent enough on the map: a classic lollipop. You know the shape, the “stick” is an out-and-back for the first and last couple of miles, and the “candy” is a roughly 1.5-mile loop at the far end.

Simple, right?

Well… lollipops are only simple if everyone agrees which way to lick. 🍭

Because hikers hike at different speeds, our group naturally stretched out and separated along the trail. No big deal… until we reached the loop junction, where the stick meets the candy and decisions suddenly matter.

The first person to arrive at the junction assumed we were going left and headed that way. The next person came in and went right, then spotted the first hiker ahead and backtracked to follow. Meanwhile, the remaining hikers arrived at the junction to find… nothing. No leader. No group. No clear clue which direction the “official” loop was supposed to go.

For a moment, it was that classic trailhead mystery: Are we supposed to be tracking footprints, guessing, or flipping a coin?

Fortunately, we were able to sort it out with text messages, and everyone regrouped without trouble. But here’s the part worth underlining with a big red marker: we had cell service.

If we hadn’t, this could have become a messy situation fast, especially if someone kept moving forward while others waited, turned around, or tried to “solve it” by taking different directions. On a loop, that can mean people missing each other, doubling mileage, or worse, assuming someone is behind them when they’re actually somewhere else entirely.

The Fix Is Simple: Communication Before Boots Hit Dirt This wasn’t a fitness issue or a navigation skills issue. It was a communication issue, and the solution is straightforward:     

1.    Before leaving the parking area, everyone needs to huddle. Confirm the exact route: where the loop begins, which direction we’ll take on the loop, and what the regroup points are.     

2.    At any junction, don’t assume. If you’re first to a key junction (especially a loop split), pause and wait for the hike leader or whoever is designated to make the call.     

3.    If the group is spread out, the junction becomes a checkpoint. Not a choose-your-own-adventure. Not a “I think it’s this way.” A checkpoint.

West Wing Mountain gave us a helpful little reminder: the trail doesn’t care what we meant to do. It only responds to what we actually agreed on.

So next time we hike a lollipop route, we’ll do the smart thing: talk it through at the trailhead, then hold decisions at junctions until the leader arrives.

Because the best hikes are the ones where the only thing getting separated is the clouds over the desert, not the group. 🌵🥾

The Arrowhead Hiking Club is an opportunity to get outside and explore the beautiful trails of the Northwest Valley, together with your neighbors and fellow outdoor enthusiasts.

Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or planning your very first hike, this club is for everyone, no matter what part of the Valley you live in. Our goal is to make hiking fun, social, and accessible for all skill levels.

We organize regular group hikes around Glendale, Peoria, and the surrounding desert foothills, with a focus on enjoying nature, staying active, and building community connections.