Feb 3 - Red Rock

HIKE RED ROCK CANYON
Join the Muleteam this Saturday at the earlier time of 8am to hike this narrow canyon with colorful rhyolite rock walls in the southern Chiricahua Wilderness. It's a 7 mile hike with minimal elevation gain and some walking in the rocky creek bed. Bring water, lunch and maybe walking poles. Dogs ok. Back late afternoon. Meet Feb 3 at 8am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool (about 90 minutes each way). Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact Guy at gplaa@comcast.net or 541-513-9775.

Directions:
From Bisbee, Double Adobe, Frontier Rd,Davis Road, Leslie Canyon Road to Rucker Canyon Road (FS74), Rucker Canyon Road to FR74E turnoff, FR74E to  Rock Canyon turn off (FR4242), FS4242 to trailhead.
Not recommended for low clearance vehicles when driving the bumpy FR4242 to the trailhead (1 1/2 miles).


FULL MOON WALK
Carol F. and  Patricia are meeting at 5pm on Tuesday, January 30th, to hike up the Juniper Flats road and watch the full moon (super blue moon).  There is no plan to reach the top, we're just taking our time to enjoy the views.  Moonrise is at 5:14pm and sunset is at 5:52pm, with temperatures expected to drop from 60 to 40 degrees during the hike time.  We expect to be done by 8pm and meet at Banshee Pizza afterward.
Send me an email if you plan to join us so we can meet at the courthouse fountain to carpool if needed, or to let us know to expect you at the parking lot above the tunnel.  Carry warm layers to add as the sun goes down, hat, gloves, etc, and a flashlight.  We'll try not to use the flashlights since the objective is to enjoy the moonlight and we probably won't need any additional light, but it's a good idea to carry one anyway.   Also bring binoculars & cameras - the full moon looks amazing through binoculars.  carolflickinger2@hotmail.com  (818) 303-4175

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BACKTRACK - Parker Canyon Lake
19 hikers and 6 dogs were there for a perfect day to walk around the lake in a clockwise direction for a change. Everyone loved being near the water, especially the dogs. We took our time lounging in the grass at our usual lunch spot. After the hike most of us stopped for a wine tasting near Elgin which made the day even better. Thanks to John for leading the hike and to all the drivers.



SIDETRACK - Goodbye Bad Jack

For a while now we've all wondered where Bad Jack has been, and Carol F discovered by accident through Facebook that he died in Hereford Sept 2017, age 90. Jack hiked with the Muleteam for many years, and he led some hikes on his favorite trails. Especially because of his age he was (and still is) a hiking inspiration to many of us who are getting older ourselves.

He got his nickname when he arrived for a hike ahead of the group and left a message on his jeep: "Catch me if you can". So we knew he was on the trail ahead of us, but we never saw him - and when we returned to the cars his jeep was still there but he wasn't. We contacted his wife but didn't find out till later that he was ok and had been lost on a side trail. After that he became known as 'Bad Jack'.

Jack was known as Professor Woodward at the Univ. of Michigan where he taught marine engineering, and we heard many of his life stories, full of dry humor, on the trail. He loved hiking in the Huachuca mountains, and his wife Anne said that his ashes were scattered there on a very windy day, so he had a good send-off.

In his last few years Jack's walking became more unsteady, and with his typical humor he wrote this poem about it...

Jack is ole
And he is sloe
So save a spot
If one you know

He'll chug along
All happy like
But he might roon
Your Muleteam hike

Fallin down 
A rocky trail
Bust his gut 
And bruise his tail

He lies there ded
You weep in sorrow
A nice ol' guy
But they's no tomorrow

Call his widdah
To say he's gone
And so then she'll hear
Ol' Gabriels' horn.



CALENDAR 
Feb 10 - Brown-Ramsey loop in the Huachucas with Gary
Feb 17 - San Pedro hike & riverside picnic with Doug
Feb 24 - Rucker's Gate in the Chiricahuas with Guy
Mar 3 - Joe's Canyon/Coronado Peak in the Huachucas with Sandy
Mar 10 - Heart of Rocks in the Chiricahuas with Brad
Mar 17 - Art Stairs hike in Old Bisbee with Larry
Mar 24 - ?
...??
April 20-21-22 - Silver Peak camp-hike in the Chiricahuas with Brad
...??


Thanks for hiking with me,
Larry

____________


Muleteam archive photos - muleteam.shutterfly.com
Muleteam & Bisbee gifts - cafepress.com/bisbeegear

Jan 27 - Parker Lake

EXPLORE PARKER CANYON LAKE
Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a scenic hike around the edge of one of the few lakes in this area. This is an easy hike, about 5 miles round trip on a mostly flat trail in a natural setting with herons. Bring water and lunch. Optional vineyard wine tasting after the hike. Meet Jan 27 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool (about 90 minute drive). Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact John at 432-5158 or johnwasser@hotmail.com.

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BACKTRACK - Fort Bowie
Braving government lockdown, wind and rain forecast warnings seven hikers met for what turned out to be a sunny if windy hike. Our journey started on the trail in Syphon Canyon where we followed faint trail marking of the Butterfield Overland Express as it traveled through Apache Pass. Apache Pass was not only a natural low point through the Dragoon and Dos Cabezas mountain ranges but also the source of Apache Springs making it a gathering place for travelers throughout the area. A fatal meeting between Lt Bascom and Cochise in 1861 led to 30 years of turmoil between the US Army and the Chiricahuas. We relived a bit of history as we visited the remains of Fort Bowie constructed in 1868.  -Guy

Guy has more photos on the Muleteam shutterfly page, and here are 360 photos:
https://rebrand.ly/fortb5120
https://rebrand.ly/fortb1696
https://rebrand.ly/fortb3427
https://rebrand.ly/fortb7909



SIDETRACK - Getting Lost
Here is an article submitted by Guy (who is leading a lot of hikes lately...hmmm).

Getting Lost While Hiking - Plan Ahead and Know What To Do If You Get Lost
by Matt Jaffe Updated March 17, 2017
Getting lost while hiking is one of the worst feelings in the world. The combination of fear, confusion, and loneliness can be overwhelming and often makes an already bad situation even worse.
BEFORE YOU GO
Have a plan. Everyone loves to be spontaneous but you really should make a decision about your day and then take the necessary steps to make that happen.
Know where you're going. Pick a trail, then check a map and familiarize yourself with the terrain where you'll be hiking.
Are there stream crossings? Are there multiple junctions or intersecting trails that could be confusing?
Charge your phone. There's no guarantee that you'll have cell coverage on the trail. But you definitely won't if your battery is dead.
Bring the essentials. Make sure that you've packed food, water, an extra layer of clothing, flashlight, compass, maps, fire starter, and whistle (more on that later).
Tell someone where and when you're hiking. Let a friend or family member know your itinerary. Some people also leave a note inside their car at trailheads to help rescuers.
Check the weather forecast. Changing weather conditions can create problems on the trail. Rain swells rivers and makes crossings more difficult. Lightning is a major danger and by attempting to find a safe location, you might stray off the trail. And In cooler months, sudden snows can obscure trails and cause you to get lost too.
Don't go out too late. If you're hiking in the afternoon, check to see what time the sun will go down. Fading daylight can lead to a feeling of panic if you start becoming disoriented and will increase the risk of making bad decisions.
ON THE TRAIL
If in a group, keep the person ahead of you in sight. Pay attention to the topography and your surroundings.
Keep yourself oriented. Trails can look remarkably different depending on which way you're hiking. Turn around frequently and take note of prominent landmarks and try to identify them on maps to keep track of your location. When you do get lost, your ability to recognize landmarks will help you determine that you're actually on the right course back.
Pay attention to boot prints. You'll often end up in areas where short-cutting hikers have created side trails and also spots where you arrive at a junction that you hadn't anticipated.
The main trail will typically show more wear and foot traffic. If any junctions are particularly confusing, create a small marker from rocks or branches to help with directions and then remove it on your return.
Avoid extended side trips. While responsible hiking means that you should always stay on established trails, many hikers do end up straying off to take photos, catch a view, or to find a place to sit. Don't travel too far off the main trail and always keep track of where it is.
Trust your gut. You can often avoid getting lost by paying attention to your anxiety level. If you begin to sense that you're losing your bearings, stop before you wander even further off course and try to reorient yourself.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU'RE LOST HIKING
Follow the STOP Rule. Easy to remember: Think Stop.
Observe. Plan.
Stay calm. Panic is the enemy and will lead to bad decisions and wasted energy. Find a comfortable spot, drink some water, have something to eat, and center yourself before taking any action.
Take inventory of your resources. Determine how much food and water you have and limit your intake to avoid depleting your stocks. There's no need to start foraging for berries and grubs or drinking from streams until you absolutely have no choice.
Assess your situation. Take note of the location of the sun. And assuming you brought a map, look for landmarks and use your compass to see if you can figure your out your approximate location before making any moves.
Try to retrace your steps. Don't go any farther down the trail and try to determine where you were last aware of your exact location. Assess whether you can work your back to that spot. If you can get there, you might then get reoriented and can hike back out on your own.
Check for phone coverage. If you've determined that you're truly lost and can't hike back out, see if you have cell phone coverage and call the authorities. And make sure that you're not running any apps that could drain your battery.
Use your whistle. Other people in the area are more likely to hear a whistle than yelling, plus you'll save your voice. Blow three distinct whistle blasts (a recognized distress signal), then wait a few minutes and repeat.
Make yourself noticeable. Find a clearing where can be spotted from the air. If you have any brightly colored objects or clothing, take these items out to provide additional visual cues for rescuers.
Start a small, contained fire. Smoke, even from a small fire, can draw attention to your location. But carefully tend the fire because lost hikers and hunters have sometimes accidentally started large wildfires. Which is a whole other problem.
SPENDING THE NIGHT
Find a sheltered spot. You may reach a point when you realize that you're going to have to spend the night outdoors. Plus if you try to push on after dark, you're only likely to make things worse. Even in fairly mild conditions, hypothermia is a danger, so put on any extra clothing and locate a spot that's out of the wind and any rain. Remember too that cold air sinks to the bottom of valleys.
Keep all of your senses engaged. Don't wait until it's already dark to find your spot. Gather wood for a fire and assemble some kind of shelter while you can still see. And avoid setting up camp near running water. The sound of a river may make it impossible for you to hear any rescuers.

CALENDAR 
Feb 3 - Red Rock Canyon in the Chiricahuas with Guy
Feb 10 - Brown-Ramsey loop in the Huachucas with Gary
Feb 17 - San Pedro hike & riverside picnic with Doug
Feb 24 - Rucker's Gate in the Chiricahuas with Guy
Mar 3 - Joe's Canyon/Coronado Peak in the Huachucas with Sandy
Mar 10 - Heart of Rocks in the Chiricahuas with Brad
Mar 17 - Art Stairs hike in Old Bisbee with Larry
Mar 24 - ?
...??
April 20-21-22 - Silver Peak camp-hike in the Chiricahuas with Brad
...??


Thanks for hiking with me,
Larry

_____________


Muleteam archive photos - muleteam.shutterfly.com
Muleteam & Bisbee gifts - cafepress.com/bisbeegear

Jan 20 - Fort Bowie

EXPLORE HISTORIC FORT BOWIE
Join the Muleteam at 8am this Saturday for a walk in time full of Calvary and Apache history. The 6 mile hike will include the Butterfield Trail and Apache Spring followed by a visit to the Fort Museum and ruins. Bring water and lunch. Dogs are allowed on leash only. Back late afternoon. Meet Jan 20 at 8am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool. The drive is 1 3/4 hours each way. Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact Guy at gplaaster@gmail.com or 541-513-9775.

The hike will follow the historical Butterfield Overland Trail before joining the actual Fort Bowie trail at Syphon Canyon, then on to Apache Spring, followed by a visit to the Fort Museum and ruins before heading back to the parking area, via the upper trail.
Driving Distance: 83 miles 1 hour 46 minutes via AZ-181 E
Elevation level: 5100 feet to 5130 feet   Elevation Gain: 975 feet

Fort Bowie was established by the California Volunteers in 1862 after a series of engagements between the California Column and the Chiricahua Apaches. The most violent of which was the Battle of Apache Pass in July 1862. The fort was named in honor of Colonel George Washington Bowie commander of the 5th Regiment California Volunteer Infantry who first established the fort. The first Fort Bowie resembled a temporary camp rather than a permanent army post. In 1868, a second, more substantial Fort Bowie was built which included adobe barracks, houses, corrals, a trading post, and a hospital. The second Fort Bowie was built on a plateau about 500 yards (460 m) to the east of the first site. For more than 30 years Fort Bowie and Apache Pass were the focal point of military operations eventually culminating in the surrender of Geronimo in 1886 and the banishment of the Chiricahuas to Florida and Alabama. The fort was abandoned in 1894. (Wikipedia)
More info:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMb6ngq
http://www.frontiertrails.com/oldwest/butterfield.htm

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BACKTRACK - East Cochise Stronghold

Molly couldn't lead this hike so Sheila & I did instead. The weather was perfect for 15 of us and 4 dogs on the winding trail through the trees and boulders. The water was low at Halfmoon Tank but good enough for the dogs to cool off. We stopped at the best viewpoint for a leisurely lunch, and then some went back, some went further and some just stayed there a little longer. We got back to Bisbee about 5pm - an enjoyable day. Jay took the photo below.  -Larry

Following are links to a few 360 photos of the Stronghold hike. -Elizabeth
https://rebrand.ly/cochid8fe
https://rebrand.ly/halfm8e7d
https://rebrand.ly/cochi0c47



CALENDAR 
Jan 27 - Parker Lake & winetasting with JohnW
Feb 3 - Red Rock Canyon in the Chiricahuas with Guy
Feb 10 - Brown-Ramsey loop in the Huachucas with Gary
Feb 17 - San Pedro hike & riverside picnic with Doug
Feb 24 - Rucker's Gate in the Chiricahuas with Guy
Mar 3 - Joe's Canyon in the Huachucas with Sandy
Mar 10 - Heart of Rocks in the Chiricahuas with Brad
Mar 17 - Art Stairs hike in Old Bisbee with Larry
Mar 24 - ?
...??
April 20-21-22 - Silver Peak camp-hike in the Chiricahuas with Brad
...??


Thanks for hiking with me,
Larry

_____________


Muleteam archive photos - muleteam.shutterfly.com
Muleteam & Bisbee gifts - cafepress.com/bisbeegear

Jan 13 - Stronghold

HIKE COCHISE STRONGHOLD
Join the Muleteam this Saturday to hike from the east side of the Dragoons toward the west and then back again. This is a beautiful area with great hillside rock formations, a deep valley and a pond midway. It's a clear, moderate trail about 6 miles total with some uphill. Bring water and lunch. Back late afternoon. Meet Jan 13 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool (about 90 minutes each way). Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact Molly at 432-3902 or eeo.source@gmail.com.

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BACKTRACK - Turkey Pen
Distance: 
Turkey Pen In and back, 6 miles
Turkey Pen Rock Creek Loop: 8.7 miles Ascent/Descent: 1949/1803 feet
Temperature: 45-68 degrees F. Grey, turning sunny. Perfect hiking weather
Hiking Time: Elapsed time: 5 Hours 2 minutes (Loop Time)
Synopsis:
It must have been a while since the trailhead parking lot had seen so many cars. Kudos for the chauffeurs having to go over some rocky roads, water obstacle and dusty condition. Twenty three hikers from as far as Tucson, Sierra Vista and Bisbee came to share A New Year’s resolution of increased physical activity and camaraderie. From the trailhead by the Turkey Creek ranger Station, Mules went over a saddle into Turkey Pen Canyon. Both canyons offers riparian areas, with lots of junipers, sycamores, grasses and bear grasses. A partially eaten fox carcass was seen by the side of the trail reminding us that we only are visitors to this wild place. After a pleasant and relaxing hike we all met on the north side of Rock Creek for lunch. Lunch over, most hikers returned via Turkey Pen Trail, while a group of six went back via the loop from Rock Creek and Hughes Tank Trail. This section follows the canyon downstream amid delightful pools of clear water to a point where it joins with Hughes tank Trail and back to the parking lot. -Guy

Lots of photos by Guy on the shutterfly page muleteam.shutterfly.com and...

Here are the links to two 360-degree photos from the Turkey Pen Canyon hike. You can manipulate them with mouse or touch, and if you click on the word "Fisheye" you can bring up other views. -Elizabeth
https://rebrand.ly/turke0e28
https://rebrand.ly/turkecc6e

CALENDAR - March 3rd anyone?
Jan 20 - Fort Bowie and Butterfield Trail with Guy
Jan 27 - Parker Lake & winetasting with JohnW
Feb 3 - Red Rock Canyon in the Chiricahuas with Guy
Feb 10 - Brown-Ramsey loop in the Huachucas with Gary
Feb 17 - San Pedro hike & riverside picnic with Doug
Feb 24 - Rucker's Gate in the Chiricahuas with Guy
Mar 3 - ?
Mar 10 - Heart of Rocks in the Chiricahuas with Brad
Mar 17 - Art Stairs hike in Old Bisbee with Larry
Mar 24 - ?
...??
April 20-21-22 - Silver Peak camp-hike in the Chiricahuas with Brad
...??


Thanks for hiking with me,
Larry

_____________


Muleteam archive photos - muleteam.shutterfly.com
Muleteam & Bisbee gifts - cafepress.com/bisbeegear