Clark Spring

HIKE HUACHUCA LOOP TRAILS
Join the Muleteam this Saturday in the lower Huachuca Mountains to hike the Clark Spring/John Cooper loop between Miller and Carr Canyons. The first section is mostly flat by a stream, then a steady climb to a scenic spot for lunch and back down for a total of about 6 miles. Very pretty views. Bring water and lunch. Back mid-afternoon. Meet Feb 29 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.

SV people meet at trailhead: Miller Canyon Road, big parking area on left after road turns to dirt.

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BACKTRACK -  Boston Mill

Six gamblers left from the Ironman in a light rain. At the trailhead we met a 7th hiker and the rain stopped. We had a wonderful 4.1 mile hike to the Boston mill. The trail was mostly flat, with nice smells from the earlier rain. The cottonwoods along the river were just starting to leaf out so the tops had that unique green color. Weather was a pleasant 60 degrees and overcast. Lunch at the mill then John and George hiked another 1/2 mile to the petroglyphs. I hope they let us know what they thought of them. The rest of us made the 4.1 mile hike back, with a quick look around the Little Boquilllas Ranch complex. When we arrived back at the cars it started sprinkling and closer to Bisbee a full on rain. Great timing! -Ken
 
A few other photos are at muleteam.shutterfly.com. 

CALENDAR

Mar 7 - 'Patio Peak' in the Mule Mountains with Brad
Mar 14 - ?Sheepshead in the Dragoons with the Steve A and Huachuca hikers?
Mar 21 - Annual San Pedro River hike & picnic with Doug
Mar 28 - ??
Apr 4 - Carr Canyon to Bathtub Spring in the Huachucas with Molly
Apr 11 - ??
Apr 18 - Eclectic art walk along Old Bisbee stairs with Larry
Apr 25 - ??
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Thanks for hiking with me,

Larry

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Boston Mill

HIKE TO THE BOSTON MILL 
Join the Muleteam for an easy 8 mile round trip, in and back, hike along the San Pedro River. The hike is on an old dirt road and some trail, not much elevation change. On the way back you can explore the Little Boquillas Ranch and/or stop at the San Pedro to enjoy the water. There is an option to add another mile(rt) to some petroglyphs. Bring water and lunch. Back mid-afternoon. Meet Feb 22 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool. Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact Ken at 432-9152 or kenheusman@yahoo.com.

If you are planning to meet at the trailhead, meet in the parking lot across the road from the Fairbank Schoolhouse on SR82 by the corrals. 

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BACKTRACK -  Florida Canyon

Five hikers went to the Santa Rita’s to hike up Florida Canyon. The trail was straight up and up with a few switch backs and an elevation gain of 2,411 feet and just shy of 8 miles. We did not make it to the Saddle. We all took breaks to remove clothing down to the the final shirt layer. The trail was in nice shape excluding the loose rocks at the beginning of the trail which was difficult on the way down when your legs and everything else is tired. Jan was the only one that took a minor spill. Overall, it was a beautiful day with running water, a few small waterfalls and a wonderful view of snow capped Mt. McCleary Peak and the valley below. The drive wasn’t bad, but Elizabeth had to pay close attention on SR 63 which was winding with horses and cattle in the road. We arrived at the Iron Man about 6:15 PM, and all agreed we earned a good night’s sleep.
P.S. everyone was in a great mood- even our leader! Sorry Steve, just had to put that dig in as you were exceptionally patient, gracious and fun. Steve requested that I write the backtrack. -Jan

Molly & Jan took the photos. A few others are at muleteam.shutterfly.com. 

SIDETRACK - Clothes left?

Someone left a coat, t-shirt and sunglasses in Charlie's car after the Dragoon hike.
Contact him at 607-435-5041 or by email at charles.winters@oneonta.edu

CALENDAR

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 - ?Sheepshead in the Dragoons with the Huachuca hiking club?
Mar 21 - Annual San Pedro River hike & picnic with Doug
Mar 28 - ??
Apr 4 - ??
.....

Thanks for hiking with me,

Larry

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Florida Canyon

HIKE FLORIDA CANYON
Join the Muleteam this Saturday at the earlier time of 8am for a hike to the Florida Saddle in the Santa Rita Mountains. The hike is about 4.8 miles one way, an "in and out" hike which allows some hikers the potential to stop anywhere along the way and admire the gorgeous views while waiting for the main group to return. An added attraction for those willing is a short 1 mile hike from the saddle up to McCleary Peak itself (8356'). The trails in this range are very well maintained and easy to negotiate. Bring liquids and food for snacks and lunch. Back late afternoon. Meet Feb 15 at 8am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool. Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact Steve at 432-7770 or sss@theriver.com.

Notes from Steve:
The drive to the trailhead takes 14 minutes longer than the drive to Portal and less than that to any of the trailheads near Portal that are routine Muleteam hikes. 1hour 48min. The drive takes one thru several beautiful canyons, awe inspiring rock formations etc. High clearance vehicles NOT needed.
From the summit of McCleary peak, innumerable basin-and-range mountain ranges are visible, including the Santa Catalina Sky Island. Nearby neighboring peaks “88 Mac” and Mount Wrightson, highpoint of the Santa Ritas, dominate views to the south. The Whipple Observatory is clearly visible on the summit of Mount Hopkins. Baboquivari proudly rises to the southwest and ultra-prominence peak Mount Graham is visible to the north-northeast. More info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coronado/recarea/?recid=25748

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BACKTRACK - San Bernadino

Nineteen hikers enjoyed beautiful weather with a 4.5 mile hike in the San Bernardino Wildlife Refuge at Slaughter Ranch. Two visitors from the Huachuca Hiking Club joined the Muleteam for the day. We stopped en route to witness the massive construction project extending The Wall along Geronimo Trail. Then we continued to our ranch/refuge hike. 
After a short wrong turn at the start by our newbie leader (!), we quickly straightened ourselves out. The artesian ponds we visited support tadpoles, endangered fish and bird life. We saw a white sand crane(?) in the distance, got a good view of a horned owl in the just-budding cottonwoods at Black Draw (spotted by Carol, back from Georgia for a visit), and saw a few ducks at the furthermost pond. The somber ranch cemetery was a bleakly scenic, natural resting place marked with stones and handmade crosses.
Turning north after dry fording Black Draw, there are several ponds beyond the marked trails, the first especially natural and beautiful. Most natural and newly dredged ponds are supported by pumps. We didn’t make it to the second, un-pumped pond, for fear of delaying lunch beyond reason. That one does have water, but is mucky, not a clear and fresh oasis like the others. 
We strolled back along the border road. It has been widened and there was occasional truck traffic due to construction on The Wall beyond the draw. There is still only an easily-hopped fence defining the border along the hiking route. Last chance!
Returning, our leader pointed out where a partial arrowhead was found on the preview hike, and then, found another one. We finally relaxed at the large ranch pond, refreshed by a light breeze while we picnicked. Some hikers paid the $5 to self-tour the ranch house and outbuildings, as fascinating the last time as the first. -Alice

Group photo was taken by Steve S, and a few others by me are at muleteam.shutterfly.com. 

CALENDAR

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

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San Bernadino

HIKE A WETLAND WILDLIFE REFUGE
Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a 4 mile hike in an area of wetlands, ponds & wildlife in the San Bernardino NWR east of Douglas. This includes an optional tour of the nearby historic John Slaughter Ranch complex. Bring water, lunch, a hat, maybe binos but no dogs. Back mid-afternoon. Meet Feb 8 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool. $5 ranch admission, and gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact Alice at 818-636-7389 or klarkea@gmail.com.

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BACKTRACK - Council Rocks

Twenty three Mule Teamers met at Council rocks with Charlie One Horse who gifted everyone with a special talk.  Charlie informed the group about the significance of Council Rocks to the Native Americans who passed through and those who sheltered in the Dragoons.  He delighted the group with a brief  interpretation of the petroglyphs.  Charlie offered the Muleteam samples of Native American food harvested from the surrounding area and then topped off his presentation with treating us to a song sung of honor and gratitude.  Many thanks to Charlie One Horse for sharing his voice, song and knowledge!
Nineteen hikers continued on through the wash to the rock grotto where they were led along a foot path that was a bit challenging, but worth traversing due to the unique views that the casual visitor would not normally see unless they were brave enough to venture into Apache territory with the Invincible Muleteam! -Carol

I took this B&W group photo (click to enlarge), but many other photos from the talk & hike (including a couple by Jan) are at muleteam.shutterfly.com. Always download a photo from the shutterfly page for best enlargement.

CALENDAR

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

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