Rustler Park Campout

CAMP FRIDAY,  HIKE SATURDAY

Calling all Mules!

Campout…Friday April 30   Rustler Park (fee area)  no water  25 sites  tables  bring Senior Pass

                  Wildflower meadow  rest rooms 

Hike…Chiricahua Peak trail   11.7 miles out and back   rated moderate  dogs on leash (wildlife)

                 Chiricahua  9800 feet - Rustler 8500  = 1300 feet elevation gain     (piece of cake)

                        

Dinner…Friday potluck  bring something easy to share  I will bring some hamburgers and mustard

                  Other meals you are on your own

Directions…from Sunizona  181 to Chiricahua National Monument

                     from Willcox  186 and then 181

                     Forest Road 42 leaves 181 just before the Monument entrance station

                     FR42  dirt road 12 miles to Onion Saddle    easy for cars

                     Don’t go to Portal   Take a right and go uphill 2.5 more miles to Rustler Park

Remember……Jacket   8500 feet

See you there - JOHN W.

                    520-366-1099, johnwasser@hotmail.com

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BACKTRACK - Charleston

Thirteen people and one happy dog rambled along by the river and crossed it several times on logs or through the water. Then through the mesquite to find adobe wall ruins and ancient petroglyphs. As the day got warmer we passed the stone walls of the old mill and took refuge in the big graffiti tunnel for a shady cool lunch by the river. Cara's ice cold drinks were waiting at the cars for the after party. Lots of photos were taken > muleteam.shutterfly.com - Larry

CALENDAR 

May 8 - Spring Canyon with Stephen

May 15 - Coronado Cave hike and potluck

Keep on trekking,

Elizabeth

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Charleston

DISCOVER THE RUINS OF CHARLESTON

Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a hike along the San Pedro River to the site of an old mining town lost in the woods, mill ruins and ancient petroglyphs. This is an easy, flat hike only about 3 miles total, but the trail is sometimes vague and may involve wet feet. Bring water and lunch. Good dog or kid hike. Back mid-afternoon. Free.

Meet April 24 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain. From there we will car-caravan to the trailhead. Alternatively, hikers may meet us at 9:30 at the parking lot off Charleston Road on the east side of the San Pedro. For more details contact Larry at sunstudio@cableone.net or 520-224-4951.

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BACKTRACK - San Pedro House Trails

Eighteen hikers and 5 dogs started the hike, which included looks at Garden Wash, Black Phoebe Pond, Kingfisher Pond, and the River where we snacked. The dogs enjoyed the water and Sara’s dog, Rosie, demonstrated dog paddling at its best. Cara F. provided much appreciated cold drinks at the finish. 

Flashy birds appeared as  predicted anchored by a long and graceful flyby of a Great Egret. - John B.

More photos at muleteam.shutterfly.com

CALENDAR 

May 1 - Rustler Park campout/Chiricahua Peak hike with John W.

May 8 - Spring Canyon with Stephen

May 15 - End-of-Season picnic

Keep on trekking,

Elizabeth

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San Pedro House

 HIKE THE SAN PEDRO HOUSE TRAILS

Join the Muleteam this Saturday at the earlier time of 8:00 AM for a leisurely hike on the flat trails near San Pedro House. This will be a 3.5-mile hike through grasslands and desert wash, by a pond and along the River. With the spring bird migration underway, we can expect to see a flashy bird or two. Bring water and a snack. Back late morning. Free. Dogs OK with leash.

Meet April 17 at 8:00 a.m. by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain. From there we will car-caravan in our separate vehicles to San Pedro House (no carpooling at this time). Alternatively, hikers may meet us at the San Pedro House parking area at 8:30 AM. For more details contact John at 319-325-3605 or johnbroz1944@yahoo.com.

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BACKTRACK - Fort Bowie

Seven hikers made the journey to Fort Bowie and had a leisurely hike on the loop to the visitor center.  The group stopped frequently to see the ruins and read the historical signboards at the cemetery where Geronimo's young son is buried, the clear water flowing from the rock face at the site of Apache Spring, and all manner of ruins along the way that informed of mining activities, the Butterfield Overland Mail Stage, military construction  for trading, storage of weaponry and the expansive fort during 20 years of conflict with the local Chiricahua Apaches.  Then followed a lunch in rocking chairs under the covered porch of the visitor center with a cool breeze while some wandered the fort ruins and small museum.  It was a much slower pace than the average Muleteam hike as the group followed the loop behind the visitor center back to the parking lot with half the group awaiting the much slower second half back at the trailhead.  One hiker headed back to Bisbee before we were able to take a group photo.  Thanks to everyone for the enjoyable hike & reliving some local history. - Cara

More photos at muleteam.shutterfly.com

CALENDAR 

April 24 - Charleston with Larry

May 1 - Rustler Park campout/Chiricahua Peak hike with John W.

May 8 - Spring Canyon with Stephen

May 15 - End-of-Season picnic

Keep on trekking,

Elizabeth

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Fort Bowie

 EXPLORE HISTORIC FORT BOWIE

Join the Muleteam this Saturday at the earlier time of 8:00 AM to hike Fort Bowie National Historic Site. The trail will take us to the Visitor Center and ruins of the old Fort, passing Apache Spring and intersecting the route of the Butterfield Stage along the way. Interpretive signs and museum exhibits recount the history of warfare between the U.S. Army and the Chiricahua Apaches. The trail, including the ruins of both the first and second forts, is about 4.5 miles total. Our return route will be by the upper trail along Overlook Ridge (total elevation gain on hike about 600 feet), but those who prefer may return the same way we came.

Meet April 10 at 8:00 AM by the Old Bisbee Courthouse fountain.  From there we will car-caravan in our separate vehicles (no carpooling at this time). Hikers may also meet us at 9:45 AM at the Fort Bowie trailhead. Back late afternoon. For more details contact Cara at 818-303-4175 or caraldawn@gmail.com.

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BACKTRACK - Crest Trail

“Sweet 16” hikers (later joined by two others) set off on the Crest Trail, soon revealing the Jekyll and Hydes that reside in us all.  Jekyll exclaimed over the breathtaking panoramic views, then the Hyde in us would mumble, “I thought she said this was a moderate-to-easy hike along the ridge! Wow, this is nothing but a continual uphill! My God, we are going up there??” But then, our inner Jekyll would murmur, “Oh, a lovely breeze. Oh look, a patch of shade! Over there, that’s Baboquivari.”  Hyde took over and dealt out a twisted ankle, heat exhaustion, beet red faces, and extreme fatigue from Covid vaccinations the day before.  One hiker offered that he had a gallon of ice water in his truck if anyone needed it.  Then, a lovely lunch spot at the boundary of the forest and congratulations all around upon learning that we had gained 1,300 feet in elevation. How far did we hike? 1.9 miles.  Aaaaargh!!  Group chorus: That’s all??  Back at the parking lot, someone pulls out a cooler of drinks to share.  Aaaahh..... Good hike, Laura!  We loved it!! Thank you, thank you! 

More photos at muleteam.shutterfly.com

CALENDAR 

April 17 - San Pedro House trails with John B.

April 24 - Charleston with Larry

May 1- Rustler Park campout/Chiricahua Peak hike with John W.

May 8 - Spring Canyon with Stephen

May 15 - End-of-season picnic

......

Keep on trekking,

Elizabeth

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