Heart of Rocks

 HIKE TO THE "HEART OF ROCKS"

Join the Muleteam this Saturday at the earlier time of 8:30 AM for a hike in the Chiricahua National Monument to a scenic area of unique natural rock formations. This is a 7.3-mile hike with hills and moderate elevation gain. Bring water and lunch but no dogs. Back late afternoon. Meet Dec. 4 at 8:30 AM by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool (almost 2 hours each way). Free, but gas donation is appreciated. Alternatively, hikers may meet at the Echo Canyon parking area at 10:30 AM. For more details contact Molly at 208-720-7518 or eeo.source@gmail.com. 

When we get to the Echo Canyon trailhead, we may shuttle a car or two to the Massai Point parking area. That will enable drivers to get a lift back to Echo Canyon at the end, and then return to Massai Point for their passengers. This will shorten the hike a bit at the end.

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BACKTRACK - Bisbee Stair Sights

The weather was perfect for the Bisbee Stair Sights hike with 13 people. Our general route was Laundry Hill, Roberts Ave and over to check out the Women's Club auction. Then Harry described his mural and showed us his bees - up to High Road and to the end of Opera, over to the Buddha shrine, the outside art gallery on the Broadway stairs, the angel sculptures, Fred Albert's mosaic walls and lunch with a view on Castle Rock. Lots of photos were taken, and nearly everyone discovered something new.

Curtis took the group photo, and Jacquita took most of the others at muleteam.shutterfly.com

--Larry

CALENDAR -- more hikes needed

Dec. 11 - Mt. Ballard with John W.

Dec. 18 - ?

Dec. 25 - ?

Keep on trekking,

Elizabeth

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Stair Sights

OLD BISBEE "STAIR SIGHTS" HIKE

Join the Muleteam this Saturday to explore some unique art & unusual views by way of Bisbee's most interesting stairs. Be prepared to climb at a reasonable pace with planned stops for less than 4 miles. Bring water, lunch and maybe a camera, but no dogs. Back early afternoon or drop out when you want. Meet Nov 27 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to begin the hike. Free. For more details contact Larry at 520-224-4951 or larryjmilam@gmail.com. 

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BACKTRACK - Holenstein Mine

With a last minute scramble to find substitute hike headers due to illness, Ken, Lindsay and Jan agreed to take on the task. Fourteen people began the hike to the Holenstein Mine (no dogs), most made it all the way up. It was a new hike for some and one we hope to repeat in future years. The red and orange colors were still hanging onto some trees and a real crispness was in the air. Most folks agreed that it was a slog to get to Holenstein, but worth the effort. 

More photos at muleteam.shutterfly.com

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SIDETRACK - New beaver survey opportunity

I previously posted information about a beaver survey along the San Pedro organized by the Watershed Management Group in Tucson. Our friend Mike Foster has now been in touch to say that he covers stretches of the River which WMG doesn’t complete. He is looking to do some surveying next week, between Nov. 29 and Dec. 3, and would welcome help from any Muleteamers who are interested. If you would like to walk and survey with Mike, or even if you are available just to shuttle him, please contact him at 520-508-3727 or sarjuesos@gmail.com (email preferred).

In addition, Mike has indicated that on Sunday Dec. 12 he would be available to do a beaver-survey training session for Muleteam. This would prepare us for next year's survey. If you are interested in participating, please email me at ebernstein2001@yahoo.com. I will let Mike know what response I get.  -- Elizabeth

CALENDAR 

Dec. 4 - Heart of Rocks with Molly

Dec. 11 - Mt. Ballard with John W.

Dec. 18 - ?

Dec. 25 - ?

Keep on trekking,

Elizabeth

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Holenstein Mine

HIKE UP MILLER CANYON TO THE HOLENSTEIN MINE

Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a hike up the Miller Canyon trail to the old Holenstein Mine. The mine dates back to the 1880's with little ore produced. An interesting note I discovered—"the existence of a road up Miller Canyon to the mine and the presence of a large ore bin are inconsistent infrastructure for the size of the workings, indicating a possible stock scheme!"

The trail has a little of everything, some easy footing and some rocky uphill for a roundtrip of about 5 miles and an elevation gain of approximately 1,450 feet. Dogs welcome on leash (wilderness area rules). Bring water, lunch, and poles if you like. 

Meet November 20 at 9:00 a.m. by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain. From there we will drive to the trailhead. Alternatively meet at 9:45 at the Miller Canyon Trailhead parking area at the END of the road. For more details contact Sandy at 520-353-5124 or slajudice@yahoo.com.

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BACKTRACK - Mule Mountains Meander

Fourteen intrepid hikers and Louie (the dog) embarked on a new-to-the-Muleteam outing off of Juniper Flats Rd. We headed down a road into Soto Canyon (thanks to John W. for identifying the canyon), eventually taking a left turn onto a trail that took us to the bottom of the canyon. The canyon floor is home to several mature sycamore trees, and a treehouse nested in a couple of the sycamores was our destination. Although veteran Muleteam hikers knew that they'd ventured into Soto Canyon before, the route had previously been combined with a loop up and out through Wildcat Canyon, and no one knew the history of the treehouse. Following a snack and water break on the treehouse platform, half of the group opted to follow Lindsay to investigate a nearby mine adit, and the other half of us made our way up and out of the canyon, retracing our steps back to the cars. All in all a beautiful day with wonderful hiking companions.  -- Deb

More photos at muleteam.shutterfly.com

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CALENDAR 

Nov. 27 - Old Bisbee Stair Sights with Larry

Dec. 4 - Heart of Rocks with Molly

Dec. 11 - Mt. Ballard with John W.

Dec. 18 - ?

Keep on trekking,

Elizabeth

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Mule Mountains Meander

 HIKE FROM JUNIPER FLATS

Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a local adventure with a mystery destination off Juniper Flats. The hike starts out downhill, with a 700-foot elevation gain on the way back. Total mileage out and back is about 3 miles, with an option for further distance. Footing is on a dirt road and a decent trail. You may want a flashlight or headlamp for optional explorations. Bring water and a snack, and poles if you'd like. Dogs welcome. Back by late morning. Free. 

Meet Nov. 13 at 9:00 AM by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain. From there we will carpool, AWD/4WD vehicles preferred. For more information contact Deb at 802-777-1499 or debvanschaack@gmail.com.

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BACKTRACK - Brown Canyon

Brown Canyon was its usual shady delight that we enjoy every autumn.  It's an excellent hike when the weather can still be very warm.  Twelve hikers and two dogs set out, with 1 turning back rather soon, 3 returning after hiking to "the trough", while the remaining 8 had their picnic lunch at the incredible view spot. A hardy three continued on up, one of them even going on solo for a while.  Happily, everyone came back down to the old ranch house and the parking lot with no problem. It was blissfully uneventful and everyone seemed to agree that the day was lovely. -- Laura

Photos are at muleteam.shutterfly.com

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SIDETRACK - Beaver Survey

The Beaver Survey at the San Pedro sounded very interesting, and I thank those of you who contacted me about it. It turned out, however, that the Watershed Management Group had very few slots available for Nov. 20. We will therefore be scheduling a regular (but new to us!) hike that day -- thanks, Sandy!

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PEGGY SCANLON MEMORIAL 

There will be a memorial luncheon for Peggy Scanlon in Tucson on Saturday January 8, 2022.  The family has reached out to Muleteam to share this information with her friends. Those who would like to attend may contact Peggy's daughter Sylvia for more information, sylvia.milescpa@gmail.com.

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CALENDAR 

Nov. 20 - Holenstein Mine with Sandy

Nov. 27 - Old Bisbee Stair Sights with Larry

Dec. 4 - Chiricahuas with Molly

Dec. 11 - ?

Keep on trekking,

Elizabeth

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Something different Nov. 20?

BEAVER SURVEY ALONG THE SAN PEDRO

As of now we have no hike planned for Nov. 20. I have just learned that there is an event at the San Pedro that day that might be of interest to Muleteamers. This is the Binational Beaver Survey sponsored by the Watershed Management Group. As you can see at the link, the event involves hiking the River to look for beaver dams, lodges, and chews.

Given how often we hike the River, I thought a number of Muleteamers might be interested in this. The registration page indicates that participants may be assigned routes of up to 3 - 7 miles, but also provides an option for "I prefer a shorter route." It also asks "Is there someone who is registered that you’d like to be in the same group with?" We could use this field to indicate "Muleteam hiking club."

Please use the comments or email me at ebernstein2001@yahoo.com to let me know if you are interested in this. Depending on the response, we might not want to have a separate hike that day.

- Elizabeth

CALENDAR 

Nov. 6 - Brown Canyon with Laura

Nov. 13 - Mule Mountains Meander with Deb

Nov. 20 - ?

Nov. 27 - Old Bisbee Stair Sights with Larry

Brown Canyon

HIKE THE BROWN CANYON TRAIL

Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a hike through a unique and scenic wooded canyon in the Huachuca Mountains. This trail has some long uphill sections and part follows a running creek making a roundtrip of about 6 miles. Bring water and lunch, back mid-afternoon. Dogs welcome with leash. Meet November 6 at 9 a.m. by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain. From there we will drive to the trailhead. Alternatively meet at Brown Canyon Ranch at 9:45 a.m. The Forest Service is now charging an $8 per car fee for parking at the Ranch. Fee waived if you display a Coronado National Forest or Interagency pass (America the Beautiful, Golden Age, etc.); else deposit envelope with cash or check. For more details contact Laura at 206-715-6589 or mssmithlg@aol.com.

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BACKTRACK - Old Mule Pass Road

Eighteen saunterers (and two javelina) enjoyed a perfect Autumnal day along old Mule Pass Road on October 30, 2021. Though the road was completed in 1914, it was the first time some veteran Bisbee residents made the trip. That's one aspect of the Muleteam that I love: there's such a depth of trail knowledge here, and there's always a new route someone is willing to share. When we reached Route 80, we agreed to spend part of the uphill trek in silent contemplation. (See https://vault.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/life/palmer_sauntering.aspx for the rationale.) Upon reaching the Divide, a group of four hadn't had enough exercise, and did some up-and-back on Juniper Flats Road. Another lovely Muleteam outing -- Lindsay

SIDETRACK - Muleteam Photos 

Remember that you can download photos from the Muleteam Shutterfly page, muleteam.shutterfly.com, or add your hike photos by joining with your email address. Also Shutterfly has a "Share Sites" app for your iPhone or Android to make viewing photos much easier on your phone. 

CALENDAR -- hike needed for Nov. 20

Nov. 13 - Mule Mountains Meander with Deb

Nov. 20 - ?

Nov. 27 - Old Bisbee Stair Sights with Larry

Keep on trekking,

Elizabeth

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