101 closures & hiking club news

The holidays are behind us, and its time to look forward to what 2026 has in store for Arrowhead Ranch…unfortunately it is in the form of road closures & inconvenience.

A bit of an abbreviated newsletter this week, but we’ll be back next week with another fine episode of the Everything Arrowhead Podcast and a full newsletter.

The latest from the City of Glendale on the medians of Union Hills Drive, from 67th Ave to 71st Ave:

The Transportation Right-of-Way team is hard at work alongside Mariposa Landscape Arizona Inc. on Phase 1 of the median enhancement project on Union Hills between 67th Ave. and 71st Ave. — expected to wrap up by end of February 2026. Transportation’s Right-of-Way Supervisor and Contract Monitor recently delivered an in-depth, behind-the-scenes interview with Mariposa that brought the project’s most exciting details to light.

✅ Highlights so far: • Coordinated with Engineering for early infrastructure upgrades • Replaced outdated effluent water lines with new city water service lines to reduce costs • Installed efficient irrigation systems and water harvesting features • Removed problematic trees and will plant water-wise Pistache trees • Coming soon: artificial turf and Bullnose river rock for a clean, sustainable finish

There is one less driveway to get in & out of the Safeway at 67th Ave & the 101, and I think its a good thing. As part of the improvements to the Loop 101 & frontage roads, the driveway that was next to the Circle K was eliminated. It was too close to the corner and was a problem as people leaving the parking lot seemed to always want to cut across all the lanes and go south on 67th Avenue.

LOOP 101 EASTBOUND ON-RAMP CLOSURE AT 75TH AVE

The eastbound Loop 101 on-ramp at 75th Avenue will close at 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, for approximately 60 days.

The eastbound Loop 101 off-ramp at 35th Avenue will be closed from 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7.

The eastbound frontage road (Beardsley Road) will be closed between 37th and 35th avenues from 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7.

North- and southbound 51st Avenue will be closed at Loop 101 nightly from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Wednesday night, Jan. 7, and ending the morning of Friday, Jan. 9.

DETOUR: Drivers may use the east- and westbound frontage road (Beardsley Road) to 35th or 59th avenues to get around the closure. Reminder: 75th Avenue long-term ramp closure

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following closures as part of the Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) widening project.

We are super excited about our new 2026 Summit Challenge, a simple, fun goal built around hiking some of the best mountains close to home, which can be completed throughout the year.

The challenge includes eight different hikes to eight local summits, all in and around Arrowhead Ranch and the surrounding area. Each hike offers its own views, terrain, and sense of accomplishment, giving members a reason to stay active and discover some new trails you may not have experienced yet.

Many of the group hikes this year will be part of the Summit Challenge, so keep an eye out for upcoming hikes. It is also something you can complete on your own as well

Complete the challenge and you’ll win a free t-shirt!

See all the info and summits included in the challenge.

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