Muleteam: December 2022

Fort Bowie

EXPLORE HISTORIC FORT BOWIE, APACHE SPRINGS AND APACHE PAST

Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a short hike in a scenic area full of Butterfield Stage route, cavalry and Apache history. This is one of the most significant historic sites in Cochise County. The hike to the fort is only about 3 miles round trip on a trail with slight elevation gain, but there's more optional walking among the fort remains. Bring water and lunch. Back late afternoon. Meet Jan 7 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool. It’s at least a 90 minute drive each way, with the last 8 miles on unpaved, but easily drivable road. Free. For more details contact Molly at 432-3902 or eeo.source@gmail.com.

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BACKTRACK - Stair Sights

Nice day for a local hike with about 20 people exploring some obscure stairs and paths of Old Bisbee. We saw mosaics, sculpture, the Buddhist shrine above Ok Street, the art gallery alley off the gulch and many murals including two I recently painted at my house. Good views from the end of High Road and the top of Castle Rock. We walked at a slow pace and took lots of photos. Some people dropped out along the way and the remaining had lunch at High Desert Market. - Larry

More photos are at muleteam.shutterfly.com.

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REMAINING SEASON 2022-2023

JANUARY
14 - Beyond the Little Boquillas ranch near the San Pedro with Sandy
21 - Galena to Warren to Gold Gulch with Elizabeth
28

FEBRUARY
4
11
18 - Laura's Loop & City Trail in the Mule Mtns with Laura
25 - Guindani Canyon in the Whetstone Mountains with Monica

MARCH
4 - Fairbank and riverside picnic with Doug
11
18 - Joe's Canyon in the Huachucas with Brad
25

APRIL
1 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Carol
7-8 - Chiricahua overnight at Turkey Creek with Carol
15 - Parker Canyon Lake and wine tasting with Doug
22
29

MAY
6 - Palominas San Pedro hike and farewell picnic with Ken

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, snacks and maybe a camera, but no dogs. Back early afternoon or drop out when you want. Meet Dec 31 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to begin the hike. Free. For more details contact Larry 520-224-4951 or larryjmilam@gmail.com.

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BACKTRACK - Bisbee Cross

It was a beautiful morning as 22 hikers and one dog hiked up the hill to the cross. The views from the top were great and the various memorials were interesting as always. The group welcomed a few new hikers. It was a nice way to start the holidays. Happy Holidays to all! - Sandy

And a big group met for lunch after the hike - photo at muleteam.shutterfly.com

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REMAINING SEASON 2022-2023

JANUARY
7 - Fort Bowie with Molly
14 - Beyond the Little Boquillas ranch near the San Pedro with Sandy
21 - Galena to Warren to Gold Gulch with Elizabeth
28

FEBRUARY
4
11
18 - Laura's Loop & City Trail in the Mule Mtns with Laura
25 - Guindani Canyon in the Whetstone Mountains with Monica

MARCH
4 - Fairbank and riverside picnic with Doug
11
18 - Joe's Canyon in the Huachucas with Brad
25

APRIL
1 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Carol
7-8 - Chiricahua overnight at Turkey Creek with Carol
15 - Parker Canyon Lake and wine tasting with Doug
22
29

MAY
6 - Palominas San Pedro hike and farewell picnic with Ken

Bisbee Cross

HIKE TO THE BISBEE CROSS

Join us at 9:00am at the Old Bisbee Courthouse on Saturday December 24th for a Muleteam Christmas tradition: hiking to the Bisbee Cross with some of the very best views of Old Bisbee. The Cross is surrounded by amazing, sometimes strange, offerings. This is a local hike of only about three miles and mostly easy except for a fairly short steep final ascent to the Cross. When we get down to Brewery Avenue you have the option of going directly downtown or returning the way we came. One way or another, we’ll all get back about noon and in time for any holiday plans. Bring water, a snack and poles if you like. For more details contact Sandy at slajudice@yahoo.com or 520-353-5124

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BACKTRACK - Juniper Flats

10 hikers and no dogs braved low temperatures-- high just below 50 F-- to leave from Mule Pass, above the tunnel, and make the hike on the Juniper Flats service road to the farthest communications tower complex. The weather was nice otherwise with bright sunlight and only a slight breeze. The road was mostly ice free, though wet and muddy almost all the way. There was an extended stretch of icy track shortly before the last towers were reached, but we and some motor vehicles were undaunted. A lot of other outdoor recreationists were seen besides our group though they were all using motor vehicles as transport. One ice walker fell through the pond found about half way to the end, but a car was standing by to provide warm and dry conditions for recovery. Periodic stops by our hikers did not work completely as planned, but the party kept from getting too spread out despite a faster pace than I would have preferred. Lunch was liesurely with a nice westward view from the last towers. No serious mishaps experienced but a lot of mud on the soles of our footwear by the time we got back to the pass. - Brad

All photos are at muleteam.shutterfly.com

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REMAINING SEASON 2022-2023

DECEMBER

31 - Old Bisbee Stair Sights hike with Larry

JANUARY
7 - Fort Bowie with Molly
14 - Beyond the Little Boquillas ranch near the San Pedro with Sandy
21 - Galena to Warren to Gold Gulch with Elizabeth
28

FEBRUARY
4
11
18 - Laura's Loop & City Trail in the Mule Mtns with Laura
25 - Guindani Canyon in the Whetstone Mountains with Monica

MARCH
4 - Fairbank and riverside picnic with Doug
11
18 - Joe's Canyon in the Huachucas with Brad
25

APRIL
1 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Carol
7-8 - Chiricahua overnight at Turkey Creek with Carol
15 - Parker Canyon Lake and wine tasting with Doug
22
29

MAY
6 - Palominas San Pedro hike and farewell picnic with Ken

Juniper Flats

HIKE TO JUNIPER FLATS

Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a moderately paced scenic hike from the top of Mule Pass on a mostly gentle up and down Juniper Flats Road to the last tower complex. This hike will be moderate uphill overall with the steepest grade along the first half mile. About 6 miles round trip with an 1100 foot climb. Bring water & lunch. Back mid afternoon. Meet Dec 17 at 9 am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool. Free. For more details contact Brad at bradward.j3@juno.com or call 520-432-2476.

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BACKTRACK - Mule Mountain Mosey epilogue

Seventeen hikers and one dog enjoyed a calm, and utterly perfect weather day hiking up the ridge toward one of the tallest peaks on the western side of the Mule Mountains. Four hikers, including the youngest and oldest hiker, climbed to the summit in front of the Douglas’s property off of Hwy. 80. Another four reached the rock outcropping near the top, and everyone hiked well beyond the shade structure where we enjoyed relaxing, snacking, and viewing the gorgeous scenery. A special thanks to those who waited for others in their smaller group so that no one was left behind! Again, we appreciate Gordon and Diana’s hospitality, opening up their beautiful property to us. - Susan Mayes

That's Susan's shadow taking the photo below and any others are at muleteam.shutterfly.com

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REMAINING SEASON 2022-2023

DECEMBER

24 - Hike to the cross above Old Bisbee with Sandy

31 - Old Bisbee Stair Sights hike with Larry

JANUARY
7 - Fort Bowie with Molly
14 - Beyond the Little Boquillas ranch near the San Pedro with Sandy
21 - Galena to Gold Gulch with Elizabeth
28

FEBRUARY
4
11
18
25 - Guindani Canyon in the Whetstone Mountains with Monica

MARCH
4 - Fairbank and riverside picnic with Doug
11
18 - Joe's Canyon in the Huachucas with Brad
25

APRIL
1 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Carol
7-8 - Chiricahua overnight at Turkey Creek with Carol
15 - Parker Canyon Lake and wine tasting with Doug
22
29

MAY
6 - Palominas San Pedro hike and farewell picnic with Ken

NW Mule Mtn

NORTHWEST MULE MOUNTAIN MOSEY

Join us for a “new-to-the-Muleteam” hike in the Mule Mountains on December 10th! This out-and-back hike has three stages: there is something for everyone on this route. There's an easy switchback ascent to a low hill with a shade structure and ample seating, followed by a walk along the ridge west toward the peaks, and an optional rock-scramble summit to "Mount Gordon." The full route is 3.1 miles total with 1,705 feet of elevation gain. You are rewarded with the best views, including Sierra Vista and the Huachucas. Even if you choose to do the whole hike and peak ascension, you would still be back by early afternoon.

Gordon and Diana Douglas have graciously offered their property as access. We will meet at the courthouse at 9 am Saturday, Dec. 10 and carpool to their property, 3137 W. Hwy 80. It is on the left, about 3 miles after the Mule Pass tunnel between mile markers 337 and 336 when heading north on Hwy 80. After an orange mailbox on the left, look for the far end of a long guardrail, and the driveway is at the end of the guardrail on the left with a sharp left turn. We will put out an orange cone and a Mule team sign. Bring water and a snack lunch. Sunscreen is recommended as there is little shade. Hiking poles are optional, and dogs are welcome. Contact Susan Mayes at 610-220-5287 for more information.

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BACKTRACK - Holenstein Mine

There were eight folks (no dogs) that began the hike on a cloudy day, seven persevered all the way up to the Mine. The temperature was perfect with the cloud cover and the moisture in the air brought out all the wonderful smells of Fall foliage. The hike was a strenuous uphill and it started to rain just before we reached the mine. The opening provided just enough shelter to give us a dry lunch spot where we enjoyed watching the clouds come up the canyon and eventually obscure the opposite mountainside. We were all careful coming down the wet trail to avoid any unfortunate events. I think everyone agreed it was a hard but really enjoyable hike! -Sandy

More photos at muleteam.shutterfly.com

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SIDETRACK - FIRST AID TRAINING AVAILABLE TO MULETEAM

Dave Perry, Emergency First Aid expert with Bisbee Fire/EMS met with some Muleteam hikers on Saturday, December 3rd. Because of our concern about the possibility of another injury on one of our future hikes we asked Dave to tell us what might be available by way of emergency first aid training for us. Emergency treatment for sprains, fractures, cuts/bleeding, and chest pains/trouble breathing due to exertion or heat are the issues we are most interested in. Dave is willing to conduct training in multiple short (15-30 minute) sessions or in one 2-4 hour program. There is no charge.

We would like feedback as to who might be interested in participating, specific training you might want, and whether you would prefer one long training program or several short sessions on treatment for specific issues. With short sessions, you can come to some or all sessions, depending on what topics interest you. The sessions can be outside at the Courthouse fountain where we meet for hikes or at the Firehouse on Tombstone Canyon.

Let us know before December 9th if

•You are interested in this training

•Whether you prefer several short sessions or one long session

•Issues you are interested in

Once we get an idea of how many of you are interested, whether you prefer short or long sessions and what issues are most important to you, we will start working with Dave on scheduling. There is no question that this will not start until after the holidays in January or later. Contact Doug at reiniger@wyoming.com or (520) 432-0307 or text (307) 690-6625 for your feedback, comments/suggestions/preferences.

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REMAINING SEASON 2022-2023

DECEMBER

17 - Juniper Flats in the Mule Mountains with Brad
24 - Hike to the cross above Old Bisbee with Sandy