HIKE THE NATURAL BRIDGE TRAIL
Join the Muleteam this Saturday to hike the scenic, least used trail in the Chiricahua National Monument. With spectacular rock formations the trail climbs at first, then drops into a pine forest, and ends at the overlook for a small water-carved bridge across the canyon. We will return the same way for a total of 4.8 miles and an approximate total elevation gain of 300-400 feet.
Bring water and lunch, but no dogs. Back late afternoon. Meet April 30 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool (almost 2 hours each way). Trailhead is a small parking area on the left side of the road as you drive up Bonita Scenic Drive, about 1 mile past the Visitor Center. Gas donation is appreciated and there is a possible entrance fee for the park area. For more details contact Molly at 208-720-7518.
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BACKTRACK - Gray Hawk Ranch
After seeing that the Muleteam hike schedule did not have a hike for this day (23 April), this hiker emailed Elizabeth Bernstein about doing a hike to Gray Hawk Ranch along the San Pedro River. I recently had problems keeping up on Huachuca Hiking Club (HHC) hikes and thought maybe the Muleteam might provide a less stressful hiking experience.
Eight Muleteam members arrived in four vehicles and met two Huachuca Hiking Club members for the hike. After crossing the bridge, we continued through the mesquite woodland plateau above the river for about 0.2 miles before descending back to the riverbank following a social trail originally cleared after last year’s wet monsoon by HHC members. Along the cleared path next to the river, we passed over two sandbars designated “Beach #1” and “Beach #2” by this hiker. We also passed by a rocky embankment which marked the location of the Charleston Dam built in 1880, but subsequently washed out by river floods soon after. At the 1.6-mile mark, we crossed the Escapule Wash at 0935. From this wash it was one mile to Gray Hawk.
At 10:00 AM, we arrived at the Gray Hawk Ranch where Sandy had set out a display about the wild felines found here (cougars, jaguars, bobcats, and ocelots) along with game camera photos. The group settled into the ranch’s picnic tables while Sandy brought out various snakes in separate buckets. The rattlesnakes displayed included a Diamondback, a Blacktail, and a Mojave. Sandy also brought out a large Gopher Snake and a King Snake. Finally, she brought the star of the show - the Gila Monster which became very agitated when its tail was touched with mouth wide open and ready to chomp down on the offending human. Sandy posed with the hikers for a group photo while holding the Gila Monster. After the outside snake demo, Sandy took the group into the reptile house where we were introduced to a Mountain King Snake, several rat snakes, and a large centipede. Many group members gave Sandy a donation so she could keep feeding her reptiles and continue providing adults and 2nd graders with oodles of information about venomous reptiles.
We headed back after the 45-minute demo and tour. This hiker had led the way from parking lot, but on the way back I encouraged the Muleteam hikers to lead the way back. We got back a little after 1:00 PM. -Rod
Thanks to Rod and the HHC for clearing this trail on a surprisingly beautiful part of the river. And thanks to Sandy for her enthusiastic demonstrations. More photos and trail map at
muleteam.shutterfly.com.
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CALENDAR
May 7 - San Pedro house last hike and potluck with John Broz
Thanks for hiking with me,
Larry
