Our Hike Leaders

Christy Anderson

Christy Anderson

Hike Leader
Christy winters in the desert and summers in Colorado. That means all-year hiking and power walking in glorious weather and majestic scenery. She leads mostly moderate paced hikes and likes to embellish with local history tales. Christy is a former Sacramento real estate attorney with a life-long passion for water and open space conservation issues.
Misty Carlson

Misty Carlson

Hike Leader
Displaced Iowa farm girl feels most at home in desert and mountains of Southern California. Loves hiking, trekking, backpacking and all things food and beverage related. Not necessarily in that order. Gratefully hiking with the CVHC for over a decade now.
Ron Chang

Ron Chang

Hike Leaders
Ron has been hiking with the club since '99 and leading hikes for a decade, this is what I have found and it's said best by Wallace Stegner, "There it was, there it is, the place where during the best time of our lives friendship had its home and happiness its headquarters." Pictographs, petroglyphs, plants and animals, scenic venues, car camping and mostly moderate hikes...all of which appeal to my soul and sense of adventure.
Gene Demsey

Gene Demsey

Hike Leader
Gene loves everything to do with hiking.
Susanne Young

Susanne Young

Hike Leader
Susanne calls Vancouver Island her permanent home and is a part-time seasonal resident of Palm Desert. On the island, Susanne spends much of her time exploring nature with her two doodle dogs, Milo and Jack. Her passions are hiking and foraging for and cooking with mushrooms, berries and edible plants. Susanne has been an active member of the CVHC for many years and is looking forward to taking other hiking enthusiasts on some of the many unique and stunning hikes in the area ... sometimes with their furry friends
Marc and Mardi Lavertu

Marc and Mardi Lavertu

Hike Leaders
Mardi and Marc enjoy hiking in the coastal rain forests near their home on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia but since retiring in 2013 they now happily spend winters exploring by foot the desert and surrounding mountains of the Coachella Valley. They also love to visit France where they have done a number of long distance hiking excursions in recent years. An avid outrigger canoe paddler, Marc is always in search of interesting places to paddle---a challenge in the desert!
Katie Peregrin

Katie Peregrin

Hike Leader
Katie Peregrin has been hiking with the CVHC for 7 years. She has been a hike leader for 4 years. She came to the Coachella Valley from Washington State with her husband as a snowbird after retiring from the Title Insurance business. Katie loves exploring trails in all the National Parks in America and has over 30 years experience with hiking and backpacking in the US and internationally. Katie loves moderate and strenuous hikes and long lunches with champagne in a beautiful place with good friends.
Ken McDowell

Ken McDowell

Hike Leader
In Ken’s career as an Oil and Gas Exploration geologist, he led many excursions to remote geologic sites and has extensive training in wilderness first-aid, group management and risk mitigation. When he isn’t in our desert, Ken can be found in Charleston, SC. Ken held a leadership role in several kayaking clubs back east and enjoys leading paddling trips. His passion is environmental education, including, his specialty-geology. Ken likes to make friends exploring the great outdoors-the more remote the better and enjoys strenuous trails at a moderate pace.
Bernard and Herbie Rochet

Bernard and Herbie Rochet

Hike Leaders
Bernard and "Herbie" (Anne Herbert) spend spring, summer and fall at home on Vancouver Island, BC. Their winters are spent in and around the Coachella Valley. They enjoy sailing, hiking, birding, flowers, geology, natural history and photography.
Bill and Barb Brown

Bill and Barb Brown

Hike Leaders
Bill and Barb are natives of the Pacific NW, we've essentially been full time travelers since 2001, initially as cyclo-tourists. Burning up the desert hiking trails in the winter and those of the Alps in the summer are what keep us smiling now. Finding an "auspicious" place for our almost daily picnic is one of our top priorities.
Daniel Coleman

Daniel Coleman

Hike Leader
Dan Coleman has been hiking on his own and with clubs in the Coachella Valley and nearby areas for over 2 years. He has participated in Many hikes as sweep and enjoys mapping and tracking the hikes as well. Back home in Washington State, Dan hiked and camped over many years with family and friends in the deserts in Eastern Washington, the Olympic and the Cascade mountain ranges. As a serviceman in the Air Force, he enjoyed some hiking in eastern France, Germany, and Austria. Dan's experience includes marine navigation and racing as well as search and rescue for the Olympia Harbor Patrol and Civil Air Patrol. Dan recently retired from practice after 40 years as a physical therapist and is looking forward to leading hikes in this area for both Desert Trails and Coachella Valley Hiking Clubs.
Shirl Donahue

Shirl Donahue

Hike Leader
Shirl fell so in love with hiking in the Coachella Valley after semi-retiring from a career in Hi-Tech that she know spends 6 months here and 6 in NJ. She has been on the Executive Council for 3 years and is responsible as Social Chair for planning monthly parties and gatherings at venues throughout the Palm Springs area. Primarily leading moderate hikes. When not hiking, she is most likely playing tennis or pickleball and perhaps some bridge.
Cathy Hirschmann

Cathy Hirschmann

Hike Leader
Cathy is from Winnetka IL, where she directs and choreographs a children's theater. She has been coming to our desert for the past 4 years and rediscovered her love for hiking. She spends 5 and 1/2 months here and have never met a hike that she didn't love! She can't wait to explore new hikes and take people on some of her favorites. The desert is so beautiful and there are so many hikes to explore!
Richard Peregrin

Richard Peregrin

Hike Leader
Richard Peregrin is the current Hike Leader Safety Officer of the CVHC. He came to the Valley as a snowbird after retiring as a Detective from the Washington State Patrol and as a Special Agent Criminal Investigator from the U.S. Coast Guard. He has over 30 years experience with hiking, backpacking and mountain climbing. He has been hiking with the CVHC for the past twelve years and really enjoys going to beautiful places, the camaraderie and all the social events. Rich has been a hike leader for the past 8 years leading moderate, strenuous and some off-trail hikes. He also has prior experience with First Aid, being a past EMT and State Trooper, and land navigation, route finding, map reading and GPS tracking.
Midge Regier

Midge Regier

Hike Leader
Midge has enjoyed Palm Springs for the past 18 years. She splits her time between Palm Springs and Syracuse, NY. She is her happiest when outdoors exploring nature and moving. Throughout her adult life she has enjoyed teaching, hiking, sailing, dancing and yoga. Yoga keeps her body strong and limber and her mind present and in gratitude mode. While teaching yoga to children and adults she realized teaching yoga outside was wondrous and added another dimension to hiking. Presently she is adding a little standing yoga to her hikes.
Debbie and Brian Hunt

Debbie and Brian Hunt

Hike Leader
Brian and Debbie are from Western Canada where they live close to the Rocky Mountains. They have been hiking in the Coachella Valley for 10 years and members of the CVHC for 3 years. They really like to hike but also enjoy golfing and pickleball. They love the desert and enjoy learning about the area through hikes of all levels.
LouAnne Hanson

LouAnne Hanson

Hike Leader
LouAnne has been spending winter months hiking in Palm Springs the last seven years. She enjoys spring, summer and fall in Minnesota where she spends most of her time hiking, leading bicycle rides, doing yoga and practicing a plant based diet. The best thing about leading hikes is making new friends and getting a little exercise. She leads easy and moderate hikes.
Mark Benson

Mark Benson

Hike Leader
Mark has lived in the valley over 30 years. My passion is Boulder climbing and creating ladder routes through Mecca's slot canyons. Hate sand slogging! I'll show you crazy cool places!
Charles Buck

Charles Buck

Hike Leader
Charles Buck winters in Palm Desert with his wife Dianne. Our enjoyment of the desert weather has brought us back to the desert many times over the last 35 years. We enjoy our time here and with our son, daughter-in-law and our baby granddaughter. Our home base is in Minnesota, and occasionally we spend some time there. Don’t quote me, but I am a firm believer that “Old folks shouldn’t live where water freezes”
Philip Ferranti

Philip Ferranti

Hike Leader
Philip founded the CVHC in 1992 and formalized the group as a hiking club in 1993. He has led over 450 hikes for the club. Philip also has authored the #1 all-time best selling Regional book "140 Great Hikes in and Near Palm Springs," as well as "Colorado State Parks: A Complete Recreation Guide" and "Hiking! The Ultimate Natural Prescription for Health & Wellness." President of "Transformation Seminars" since 1981, Philip is available for slide shows and seminars. He winters in Palm Desert & summers near Boulder, Colorado. Hikes for fun, adventure, scenic beauty, and geologically interesting areas are his specialty. He has a great website: www.philipferranti.com
Bonnie Hughes

Bonnie Hughes

Hike Leader
Bonnie escapes from the "frozen tundra" of Wisconsin every winter to enjoy the arid climate and mountains of Southern California.
Thierry Dhers

Thierry Dhers

Hike Leader
Thierry is from Washington state splitting his time between the North Cascades mountains and Lake Chelan. He hikes a few times a week and loves being in the hills. He discovered the Coachella Valley Hiking Club in 2021 and has been out with Joellen Leifer, Gene Demsey, Barb Brown and others. They sold him on helping to lead hikes by himself near La Quinta which is where his winter quarters are. When not hiking in WA or CA, he is currently attempting to finish the Seven Summits in 2023-2024.
Kerry Leavitt

Kerry Leavitt

Hike Leader
Kerry is a long time valley resident and loves to lead dog-friendly hikes. Also an avid camper and backpacker.
Nancy Pringle

Nancy Pringle

Hike Leader
Nancy lives in Pacific NW part of the year, winters in Palm Desert; leads hikes in Coachella Valley and around Joshua Tree. She enjoys hiking, biking, gardening, reading, cooking, traveling and practicing holistic health. "I continue loving the desert more each year. Fun discovering trails, sharing them with others". She leads moderate hikes at a moderate pace.
Ron Knight

Ron Knight

Hike Leader
Ron is a retired Canadian biology teacher and school administrator who has wintered in the Coachella Valley for 15 years. He loves hiking in the desert because, “it's like being on a different planet compared to the rain forests of British Columbia”. Ron enjoys researching the history and geology of the areas in which he hikes and will share some of this information with you on the trail. Ron's interests include travel, movie making, tennis, gardening, and fitness. His motto is, "Aging is inevitable; being old is a choice".
Margaret Sullivan

Margaret Sullivan

Hike Leader
Margaret is a new hike leader for CVHC. She's a snowbird, living in La Quinta during the winters and Anacortes, WA during the summers. She's hiked, scrambled, and kayaked with the Mountaineers in WA and has participated in CVHC hikes since 2017. She is Club Secretary and manages the Calendar, posting hikes and social events.
Nancy Bone

Nancy Bone

Hike Leader
Sadly, Nancy passed away in 2020, a victim of COVID-19. She was a mainstay in our club for many years; a compassionate hiker, great hike leader, and a mentor to all. Nancy also served in various capacities on our CVHC board. Nancy is greatly missed and affectionately remembered by all who knew her.
Ellen Burns

Ellen Burns

Hike Leader
Ellen spends her time between Vancouver, WA and LaQuinta, CA hiking in both areas. I enjoy introducing people to the trail in a fun, safe and responsible manner. In my spare time I travel to unique and beautiful back country areas for exploration and enjoyment. I never cease to be amazed at this beautiful planet I live on. I have a rescue dog named Mulligan who is quite the desert dog. He loves chasing hares but never seems to catch them. My husband David and I enjoy sitting down at the end of our day and talking over our adventures. I am a retired Registered Nurse. I have a passion for reading, boating, life long learning, volunteering and spending precious time with family and friends. I hope to see you on the trail for a hike real soon.
Bob and Cathy Cresko

Bob and Cathy Cresko

Hike Leader
Bob and Cathy were bitten by the mountain spirit in our late 20's on a cross-country trip to see every major national park in two weeks. A ranger in Glacier NP told us that the only way to really see a national park was to walk on a trail away from roads. We did what he suggested and haven't stopped hiking since. We're snowbirds from the East, New York to be exact, where the highest mountains near us are about 1,500 ft. We live at sea level. When we need to train for a mountain excursion, we climb Bear Mountain three or four times in a day. Bob likes to peak bag and loves the mountains and deserts here in the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas. His present goal is to finish the PCT and remains undeterred by the realization that it will, at his present annual mileage, require 132 more years to complete. Cathy puts up with the peak-bagging thing but focuses more on the journey. It's a joy for us to show hikers a new trail or perhaps an old trail from a new perspective. There is always time to stop at a viewpoint or check out an unfamiliar plant or critter. We both enjoy traveling and combine that with hiking, sampling the local cuisine, and visiting art museums wherever we go.
Kim Glasgow

Kim Glasgow

Hike Leader
Kim says Hello Fellow Hikers, I love the outdoors and I love showing the outdoors to everyone. I lead hikes in the Coachella Valley and in the Sierra Nevadas where I live during the summer. Katie loves exploring trails in all the National Parks in America and has over 30 years experience with hiking and backpacking in the US and internationally. Katie loves moderate and strenuous hikes and long lunches with champagne in a beautiful place with good friends.
Joellen Leifer

Joellen Leifer

Hike Leader
Joellen is a recent transplant from Kansas City. She discovered hiking and became an avid supporter of CVHC. A cookbook author, Joellen also excels at cooking, pickleball and is hiking the John Muir Trail summer 2014.
Julie Lawson Timmer

Julie Lawson Timmer

Hike Leader
Julie grew up in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, and moved to the United States after undergrad. She spent the last 25+ years in Ann Arbor, Michigan, practicing law and raising four children, alongside her husband, Dan. While spending the pandemic working remotely from their vacation home in La Quinta, Julie and Dan fell in love with hiking in and around the Coachella Valley and JTNP (and with the constant sunshine), and decided to retire and make La Quinta their permanent home. Julie is an avid hiker, tennis player, and CrossFitter, and a community volunteer and instructor. She is a published novelist and is always on the lookout for ideas for her next book or screenplay.
Mike Ovesen

Mike Ovesen

Hike Leader
Mike is formerly from Seattle now residing in Rancho Mirage since 2005 and working in the packaging industry. Enjoy outdoors with the CVHC and fishing/golf.Michael's bio coming soon.
Andrew Walls

Andrew Walls

Hike Leader
Andrew is a full time resident of Palm Desert who actually hikes during the summer! Andrew is an avid hiker and backpacker who can be found strolling on and off trails throughout the Coachella Valley, Joshua Tree NP and Grand Canyon NP. In addition to his participation in CVHC activities, Andrew is a Certified California Naturalist and a hike leader with Friends of the Desert Mountains. Prior to moving to the CV in 2017, Andrew was a team leader with the Nevada County Sheriff's Search and Rescue team in Northern California.