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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