End of Season

 BACKTRACK -  Coronado Cave Hike and Potluck

It was a warm, breezy day for the cave hike & picnic with 15 people gathered at the trailhead. After a short hike everyone climbed down to the cave floor and explored the wide tunnel walking with our lights. The huge room at the end had smaller side tunnels including one that led to sunlight. On the return we turned off all our lights and saw the glowing teeth of the 'dragon' rock formation, and Lucia was brave enough to crawl through the narrow 'tube'. Then back to join a few others at the picnic area for the Muleteam's first potluck in over a year. This hiking season was challenging with masks and limited carpooling, and it was so nice to see faces and socialize normally again. We ate and drank and talked and laughed. Carol received a cake for her birthday, Elizabeth was applauded for her administration work and the day ended with John's bag toss game. An encouraging day for the next hiking season. See you then. -Larry

Additional photos at muleteam.shutterfly.com. 

HIKE LEADERS and the number of hikes they led this season...
Doug Reiniger - 3

Anne Reiniger - 2

Carol Chandler - 1

Lindsay Koehler - 1

Susan Mayes - 1

Stephen Sklarow - 2

Laura Smith- 3

Alice Klarke Heinecke - 1

Molly Smith - 2

Jan Bolduc - 1

John Wasser - 2

Sandy Heusman -2

Sue Logan- 1

Ken Heusman - 1

Larry Milam - 3

Paul Phillips - 1

Elizabeth Bernstein - 1

John Broz - 1

Cara Flickinger - 1

Thanks to you all, we made it through a challenging season. I look forward to seeing you all again in the fall, when hopefully things will be easier. Have a great summer, and look for us to start again in October! 

Keep on trekking,

Elizabeth

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Coronado Cave

CAVE HIKE AND POTLUCK

This is the Muleteam's last hike of the season. Join us this Saturday in the Huachuca Mountains for a short, uphill hike (one mile total) and an easy 30-minute stroll through the spacious Coronado Cave. Some boulder scrambling at cave entrance. No dogs, but a good one for kids. Bring FLASHLIGHT, water and food/drink for an optional potluck picnic after the hike. Back mid-afternoon. Meet May 15 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain, or 9:30 at the Coronado National Memorial Visitor Center parking lot. For more details contact Larry at 520-224-4951 or sunstudio@cableone.net. 

👉If you have kids or know someone who does, please invite them. Kids love the cave.

👉And don't forget your flashlight!

POTLUCK ONLY

You can also meet us after the hike for the potluck only. The cave hikers should be back about noon or soon after, and we'll meet at the picnic area across the road from the visitor center. I'll bring the plates, cups, etc. and guacamole of course. - Larry

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BACKTRACK - Spring Canyon

Hikers were unable to complete the Spring Canyon hike. They turned back after an encounter with local landowners who said the hikers were on their property.

SIDETRACK - Aravaipa Canyon

Six Muleteamers took a recent backpacking trip into Aravaipa Canyon. There is an album of photos from that trip, in addition to the regular Muleteam album, at muleteam.shutterfly.com.

Keep on trekking,

Elizabeth

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Spring Canyon

HIKE SPRING CANYON

Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a local hike beginning at the end of Spring Canyon and continuing to the ridgeline overlooking Bisbee from the west. The hike proceeds from an easy uphill trail climbing many mid-1930’s WPA stone dams, to a steeper vegetation-shrouded canyon, followed by a scramble at the end to the enchanted cholla forest on the ridge line between Mt. Ballard and Mt. Martin. From there we will have views of Bisbee, Sierra Vista, Mexico, and the mountains to the East. The hike is less than three miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of about 1300 feet, shorter and a bit steeper than hiking Mt. Ballard. Bring liquids and lunch. Back before 3 PM.

Meet May 8 at 9 a.m. by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain. From there we will arrange transportation to the trailhead. For more details contact Steve at 520-432-7770 or sss@theriver.com.

In past years this was part of a two-canyon Muleteam shuttle hike which included Abrigo Canyon on the western side. The miners on the west side of the Mules used this route  as a shortcut to Bisbee instead of taking what is now Highway 92.

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BACKTRACK - Chiricahua Peak conquered at last!

Ten members of the U.S. Muleteam  expedition gathered at base camp for a final meal before the May 1 attempt of Chiricahua Peak. Great food . . . great company.

At the crack of 9:30 a.m. , the team set out on the first leg of the journey. 

Long Park.

All went according to plan thanks to their super genius leader.  Soon the party arrived at Fly Peak junction and then on to Round Park.

All decided on a final push to the summit. The victory and the views were celebrated with a well-deserved lunch.

The weather broke (wind).  And the climbers descended at a leisurely pace.

Congratulations to all - John W.

More photos at muleteam.shutterfly.com

CALENDAR 

May 15 - End-of-Season picnic

Keep on trekking,

Elizabeth

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