Council Rocks

COUNCIL ROCKS TALK & HIKE
Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a hike in an area of the Dragoon Mountains with huge boulder formations. The moderate 2 1/2 hour hike will include a bit of bushwhacking and rock scrambling. We will begin with a talk by Charlie Onehorse Hill about the native history and sample indigenous foods. Bring water & lunch. Back late afternoon. Meet Feb 1 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 Carol at chandlercarolpsk@gmail.com or 413-667-8760.

Sierra Vista area people can meet the group at the beginning of Middlemarch Road to follow to trailhead or possibly more carpooling. Just let Carol know you plan to do that.

More Details:
Leaving Bisbee we will follow Charlie Onehorse Hill up to the west side of Cochise Stronghold and gather at the first entrance with the green gate. After a short hike up to Council Rocks Charlie will talk about the native history there handed down through oral tradition with the Apaches, Cochise and Geronimo. The site includes the ancient petroglyphs. You will also be able to sample some of the indigenous foods available in the area. After an hour long discussion Carol will lead a hike through the rock grotto and wash, then circle up over the hill and back down joining the trail that leads back to the parking area. The hike will last approximately 2 1/2 hours with lunch break included. The hike is moderate with a bit of bushwacking and rock scrambling. The bushwacking area has been heavily grazed and is fairly open. -Sara and Carol

______________

BACKTRACK - Bob Thompson

A beautiful day in Ash Canyon.  Before we started up to Ben Morgan’s mine we stopped to bow our heads at his grave - the first man married in Bisbee.  It was December of 1880 and the ceremony took place in a tent. None of the group even broke a sweat as we trotted up the hill and the view into Mexico and the source of the San Pedro River was magnificent.  Some folks wanted to know why we weren’t going all the way to the top of Bob Thompson Peak - they wanted some more exercise.  This account from a group that earlier made the ascent serves as an explanation, even though John W., Susan and I have done it - just because we could, I guess.
"From the saddle at the ridgeline [above Morgan Mine] to the summit of the peak, the path is very difficult to follow and is over loose gravel along a very steep mountain face. I would not call it passable. We had to move hugging the ground and using all hands and feet. There were some moments when I was genuinely afraid we would slide down the mountain".  -Richard

In the photo Bob Thompson Peak (mid-back row) is also one of the group. All other photos are at muleteam.shutterfly.com.

CALENDAR

Feb 8 - Slaughter Ranch & San Bernadino national wildlife refuge with Alice
Feb 15 - Florida Canyon in the Santa Rita mountains with Steve Sklarow
Feb 22 - Boston Mill on the San Pedro River with Ken
Feb 29 - Clark Spring/John Cooper trails in the Huachucas with John W
Mar 7 - 'Patio Peak' in the Mule Mountains with Brad
Mar 14 - ??
Mar 21 - Annual San Pedro River hike & picnic with Doug
Mar 28 - ??
......

Thanks for hiking with me,

Larry

____________

Bob Thompson

HIKE BOB THOMPSON PEAK (ALMOST)
Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a hike in the foothills of the Huachuca Mountains beginning in Ash Canyon. The trail is mostly old mining roads with a 2000 ft elevation gain (a good workout for the legs and lungs) - about 5 miles total with two old mines and great views from the lunch spot. Bring water and lunch. Back mid-afternoon. Meet Jan 25 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool. Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact Richard at 432-5962 or yhrobinson@gmail.com.

Notes from Richard:
• The view from the top is down toward the source of the San Pedro River in Mexico.  
• And we'll look for the grave of the first feller ever married in Bisbee.
• Because of fire and subsequent erosion the last part of the trail to the top of Bob Thompson Peak may be a little spooky for anyone with a fear of heights so we won't try it. 
• The road to the trail is about 2 miles of dirt road - OK for passenger cars with a bit of clearance.

______________

BACKTRACK - Slavin Gulch 

One of the most scenic hikes in the county was undertaken by 22 new and old Mule Teamers. The group soon stretched out into smaller groups so widely spaced that the leader did not see some of the hikers after the first 30 minutes. However, reports were that whether or not the entire trip to the old mine was accomplished by all, everyone was safe, and happy at the end to have been in Slavin Gulch on a sunny day in January with some water running in the creek.
Bonnie and Alice, who left the hike early, made it safely back to Bisbee, and Bonnie is fine. -Molly

Also:  Because of verbal harassment by someone new, one hiker returned on the trail to avoid him. This is not ok behavior, and hopefully this new person will not return to hike with the Muleteam.

The group photo was taken by Susan before everyone was ready. All other photos are at muleteam.shutterfly.com.

SIDETRACK - San Pedro Border Wall Protest

Sunday, January 26th - 2 pm - Hereford Bridge on Hereford Road
For more information: email grassislandranch@gmail.com using “Hands across the River” in the subject line.

CALENDAR

Feb 1 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Charlie Onehorse & Carol C
Feb 8 - Slaughter Ranch & San Bernadino national wildlife refuge with Alice
Feb 15 - Florida Canyon in the Santa Rita mountains with Steve Sklarow
Feb 22 - Boston Mill on the San Pedro River with Ken
Feb 29 - Clark Spring/John Cooper trails in the Huachucas with John W
Mar 7 - ??
Mar 14 - ??
Mar 21 - Annual San Pedro River hike & picnic with Doug
Mar 28 - ??
......

Thanks for hiking with me,

Larry

____________

Slavin Gulch

HIKE UP SLAVIN GULCH

Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a hike in the Dragoon Mountains. The trail is a rocky path & old mining road with huge boulder formations, along a great sand bottomed creek. It's steady uphill and down the same way for a total of 6 miles. Bring water, lunch and maybe a walking stick. Back late afternoon. Meet Jan 18 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool (over an hour each way). Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact Molly at 432-3902 or eeo.source@gmail.com.

______________

BACKTRACK - Parker Lake

12 friends, old and new & 3 pups decided to hike Parker Lake. The largest and most scenic lake, (only) lake around. We braved snow drifting up to almost 3/4 inch and winds upwards of 2 mph. Great Blue Heron did make its usual low flyby. Lunch was great although we had to endure January sub-70 degree temperatures. All this made us all thirsty, so we sought refuge at a local winery. Although we were outside in the elements we managed to make the best of the situation. Seriously… a really great day. -John  
                                                                                                                                                

I took the group photo. A few more are at muleteam.shutterfly.com.

SIDETRACK - Camp-Hike?
John Wasser has suggested having the April campout & hike at Rustler in The Chircahuas this year. Another thought is Triangle T guest ranch in the Dragoons near Amerind Museum. Their website is azretreatcenter.com. Any comments on that?

CALENDAR - We need a hike for Jan 25th. Something local: on the San Pedro river, in the Mules or Huachucas?

Jan 25 - ??
Feb 1 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Charlie Onehorse & Carol C
Feb 8 - Slaughter Ranch & San Bernadino national wildlife refuge with Alice
Feb 15 - Steve Sklarow hike?
Feb 22 - Boston Mill on the San Pedro River with Ken
Feb 29 - Clark Spring/John Cooper trails in the Huachucas with John W
Mar 7 - ??
Mar 14 - ??
......

Thanks for hiking with me,

Larry

____________

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 11 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool. Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact John at 520-366-1099 or johnwasser@hotmail.com.

Or meet at Parker Lake after 10:00, maybe 10:30.

______________


BACKTRACK - Mural Hill
In contrast with the weather a week ago, today was mild & sunny and very pleasant. 21 people and Sheila walked from Old Bisbee through the open desert to Mural Hill, and every one of us scrambled up the low side of the hill to have lunch on the high tip. The view from there is more than rewarding, and some people found fossils. Then came the usual confusion in finding the trail down from the top, but I think we all made it. People became more spread out on the trail back to Bisbee, and it always seems longer returning. It's a tiring hike, but it's one of my favorites. -Larry

I took this group photo soon after the hike began, but 3 others were already ahead of us. All other photos are at muleteam.shutterfly.com. Add your own.



CALENDAR - We need more hikes for Jan 25 & Feb...

Jan 18 - Slavin Gulch in the Dragoons with Molly
Jan 25 - ??
Feb 1 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Charlie & Carol
Feb 8 - ??
Feb 15 - Steve Sklarow hike?
Feb 22 - Boston Mill on the San Pedro River with Ken
Feb 29 - ??
......

Thanks for hiking with me,
Larry

____________