26 FEBRUARY 2026 Amy Johnson, Margo Placencio, Kristen Ackerman, Kimberly Smeester, Meg Gross, Jill Tadvick, Katie Vandenberg and Rae Blaski. PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMY JOHNSON By Kylie de Best P hoenix is really a hiker’s dream – from Camelback Mountain to the Superstitions, the options are endless, and the weather is (almost) always perfect for a day outdoors. Wanting to take on a challenge and climb as many mountains as she could, Arcadian Amy Johnson created the Desert Disco Adventure Club (DDAC) – and gained so much more than miles. Formed in December 2024, Amy envisioned a group that would help inspire women to explore the world and create meaningful connections while having fun through healthy adventures. The core values of DDAC include connection, kindness, gratitude, inclusion, thoughtfulness, and charity. “I had attended groups before and found that most people would show up for a hike and you would never see them again,” Johnson said. “I wanted to build a community where the women feel seen and welcomed so that they continue to show up.” To keep the personal touch and allow each woman to be recognized and celebrated, it’s kept to under 50 people. Current members range in age from 30 to 60 and are from all over the Valley. While hiking is a big part of the club, they also paddleboard, kayak, ski, snowboard, participate in organized runs, and do high ropes and obstacle courses. The hikes are moderate to strenuous, ranging from 6-12 miles on average, with anywhere from 1,000’-3,000’ of elevation gain. DDAC typically hikes 1-3 times per week with an average of 5-10 people per hike. Their main event takes place on Saturdays, with shorter hikes mid-week. Sometimes there’s even a theme, such as dressing as Where’s Waldo for a hike in Arches National Park and wearing all black and matching birthday headbands to celebrate a member’s birthday on Camelback. They also travel out of state – in 2026, the group is headed to Utah, California, Montana, and Colorado. They’ve also traveled to Page, Greer, Lake Havasu, Flagstaff, Tucson, and Bisbee for overnight trips. “Our biggest hike was 22 miles in the Grand Canyon, down to the river and back up the same day,” Johnson said. “We’ve also hiked over 70 miles in six days while in Oregon in September!” The group also finds it essential to give back to the community. They partnered with Gye Di, a foundation that assists children with severe physical disabilities in getting out into nature using all-terrain wheelchairs. While there is no charge to join, members should be willing to commit to 1-2 activities with the group per month and feel comfortable hiking at a moderate to hard level. Those interested in joining can learn more @desertdiscoadventureclub THROUGH THE DESERT ONE PEAK AT A TIME Amy Johnson, Margo Placencio, Kimberly Smeester and Jill Tadvick. Margo Placencio, Kristen Ackerman, Claudia Duarte, Jill Tadvick, Sharon Joseph, Karen Johnson Henderson and Amy Johnson. Rae Blaski, Kristy Resch, Kimberly Smeester, Amy Johnson and Kristen Ackerman.