HIKE COCHISE STRONGHOLD
Join the Muleteam this Saturday to hike the entire Cochise Stronghold trail. We will divide in half and begin the hike from the east and west sides, exchange car keys in the middle and continue to the opposite side for a return shuttle. (OPTION: If some members of the group decide they would rather hike one way in and out, they can do that and not exchange keys.) This is a beautiful area with hillside rock formations, a deep valley and a pond midway. It's a clear, moderate trail about 5 miles total with some uphill. Bring water and lunch. Back late afternoon. Meet Feb 16 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.
It’s O.K. to make arrangements with particular other drivers in advance that you might want to exchange keys with, but it’s not required, as we can work that out the morning of the hike.
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BACKTRACK - Oversite Canyon
Colder and cloudier weather than forecast made for a marginally gloomy mood among the 11 hikers and two dogs who faced the challenge of the Oversight Canyon trail in the SW Huachucas. Continually deteriorating condition of the trail due to disuse and poor maintenance joined the expected steady upgrade up the canyon, in slowing the hike to where 7 hikers decided to have lunch and return instead of ascending the switchbacks climbing out of the canyon, to lunch at the end of the mostly level ridge continuing on to the mountain crest. One hiker decided to turn back even before reaching the turnback spot for the 7 who continued on a little further. Lunch for the 4 who reached the ridge, was a windy and chilly affair before they headed back down as soon as they had enough nourishment to make the trip back. On the way back the hike was split into two main parties-- those who started back early and those who enjoyed the views from ridge. I made up the tail end, reaching the lower lunch spot about 5 to 10 minutes after two who decided not to wait-- all but Molly who observed what should be a routine Muleteam policy of making sure that the tail end of the hike should not be left to hike alone with no one else to come along in case of accident. Some parts of the switchback section out of the canyon have reached such a state of marginal discernability that I myself briefly lost the trail on the way back down, making for another 5 minute delay. To add to our disappointment was a lower flow of water in the creek than expected. Unlike the flows that we've also found farther up on earlier trips, only the section along where the Happy Jack cabin continues to fall into decay still had a brisk and gurgly flow among the thicket of green reeds found there. Apparently such a long, dry period preceded our recent precipitation since summer, that ground moisture still hasn't risen back up to a point where the creek begins flowing over more of its length. No photo was arranged at the Happy Jack spot where shots were taken on previous trips, after confidence was expressed-- later found to be misplaced-- that we SURELY would still all be together to take a group photo on the way back down. Famous last words, anyone? -Brad
Susan took the group photo, and Elizabeth took the 360º photo:
rebrand.ly/Oversite.
Archive photos are at
muleteam.shutterfly.com where you can add your own.
SIDETRACK - Muleteam shirts
The recent Muleteam shirts were a hit, and more people have expressed interest. So shirts will now be available to order individually from the local printer, Print & Stitch. The denim shirt has an embroidered Muleteam logo and optional name (or whatever) on the other side. The printer has the job on file, so contact them for cost & details.
Hilary Gardner • Print and Stitch, 1556 S. Naco Hwy.
(520)432-3030 •
hilary@printandstitch.com
CALENDAR
Feb 23 - Joe's Canyon in the Huachucas with Joe
Mar 2 - Florida Canyon in the Santa Ritas with Steve
Mar 9 - San Pedro River hike & gourmet picnic with Doug
Mar 16 - Bisbee 1000 stair route in Old Bisbee with Jan
Mar 23 - Rucker Gates in the Chiricahuas with Guy
Mar 30 - ?
....
Thanks for hiking with me,
Larry
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