Palominas

PALOMINAS HIKE AND POTLUCK
I'm excited about the end of year potluck and hike. It's always sad to end the season, but then there's next year! Our hike will be an easy out and back along an old dirt road that eventually leads to the border. There will be wide open spaces and great views of the Huachucas and San Jose Peak. The hike is relatively flat except for a wash along the way. It will be hot. We'll hike approximately two hours total (not all the way to the border). 
Meet 9am, Saturday, May 6 at the Bisbee courthouse fountain. Bring a dish to share and your favorite beverage. Please consider bringing your own reusable plates and silverware to reduce waste, I'll provide some for those who forget. There are NO grills and NO water. If you’re only coming for the potluck, show up anytime. We’ll probably be back from the hike about 11:30. Dogs welcome. See you all there! If you have any questions call Ken at 520-432-9152 or kenheusman@yahoo.com.

Trailhead/potluck location
You can meet to hike at the Palominas Trailhead by 9:30 (or 11:30 for the potluck). It is located just West of the Brite Spot on Highway 92, between mile marker 342-341. There is a blue Parking Area sign and a Forest Service brown binocular sign. Turn there and proceed to the end.

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BACKTRACK - Carr House

This Saturday's hike was somewhat unique because (rather than trekking uphill through the Huachuca wilderness) we sat at the Carr House for a presentation, followed by a short stroll to the nearby ruins of the early pioneer settlement in Carr Canyon.  Our presenter and tour guide, Mike Foster (a videographer by trade but also a caretaker at Carr house) proved to be a wealth of information, telling us of the taxonomy of the local tree species... To the way indigenous peoples made use of and sustained themselves from these trees and plants....to the history of this area.... As well as the animals species one is likely to find here.  I personally now know how to identify 3 different kinds of oak trees.  There was literally too much information to retain, but fortunately there are many links provided below (videos Mike has made)

that focus on this region, this habitat, and even Bisbee!!  My personal takeaway from Saturday was this: despite our cultural climate and the apparent disregard for nature and native peoples, there are many generous and caring locals who go out of their way to remember our roots and to share this with others and to support and bolster places like Carr House.  It's very heartening.  -Terryl

Huachuca Mountain Videos https://vimeo.com/showcase/6681008

San Pedro River Videos https://vimeo.com/showcase/7833343

Any other photos from this hike and this season are at Muleteam 2022-23. Add yours.

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FLASHBACK - 4-2002

A favorite vintage Muleteam photo: San Pedro Naptime

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The Muleteam 2023-2024 Season will begin Saturday Oct 28 (the Saturday after Stairclimb weekend)

Carr House

CARR HOUSE FAMILY VISIT & HIKE
Join the Muleteam this Saturday April 29th to be treated to a free personalized educational presentation by Mike Foster, Muleteam old-timer and host of Carr House Information Center in the Huachuca Mountains. Mike will share one of his video presentations and the many exhibits of the historical, geological, and ecological highlights of the mountains. After our time with Mike at Carr House, he will lead us on a short and easy nature and history hiking trail. This will be a very unusual Muleteam day, with families and children welcome. There are picnic facilities and natural and cultural history displays and games. Meet at 9:00am on April 29th at the Courthouse fountain for carpooling. Take Route 80 to 92 from the Bisbee Circle toward Sierra Vista, then turn on Carr Canyon Road for 2.2 miles to Carr House. For questions, contact Mike at sarjuesos@gmail.com.

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BACKTRACK - Wood Canyon Plus

Another beautiful day hiking in the Mule Mountains! Leaders Deb, Susan and Lindsay got creative, offering a variety of hike distances. Twenty-three hikers arrived at the Wood Canyon/Guy Trail* intersection after walking up Tombstone Canyon from the Iron Man. Susan led a group across Guy to Locklin, and back down Tombstone. The rest continued up Wood to the Ridge Trail, where Rex parted ways and turned left toward Juniper Flats. After the short walk to Three Points, Jay turned left to head toward the Gulch on the "Bisbee CounterSpin"; the rest turned right toward the Locklin Trail, where Deb led a group back down to Tombstone. Those who remained headed along the Ridge (with all but two zipping up the two humps for an extra elevation gain!). We met back on the Ridge Trail and slid down the scree to the City Trail. The majority of those left exited the trail at High Road and descended the "Iceman" stairs, but Barbara and one other stayed on the City Trail to the end, descending to Brewery Gulch. (If you're keeping count, there were a grand total of SIX routes hiked -- !) Thanks to all for joining us -- Lindsay, Deb and Susan

*For those who don't know it, the Guy Trail is a nice short connector. Susan's mnemonic for finding the Guy Trail from the Locklin side is to count the check dams as you ascend: after the eighth, the Guy Trail goes off to the left, while the Locklin Trail goes to the right.

Any other photos from this hike and this season are at Muleteam 2022-23. Add yours.

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FLASHBACK - Sara and Laura and the Fairbank car door

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REMAINING SEASON 2022-2023 - Only one more hike remaining...

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

Wood Canyon

CHOOSE YOUR OWN EARTH DAY ADVENTURE
You're invited to join the Muleteam this Saturday, April 22nd for a multi-leader hike: we're offering three distance options. We'll walk together to Wood Canyon from our 9 a.m. meetup above the Iron Man and climb to the Guy Trail intersection. Those wanting the shortest/least elevation route will cross to Locklin and return to the Iron Man. The rest of us will ascend Wood Canyon and head to the Ridge Trail. If hikers wish, they can descend at Locklin and head back to the Iron Man. If you want more exercise, we'll continue on the Ridge and descend at High Road or Brewery Gulch. Distances range from 3-ish to 7-ish miles. Bring water and a snack; for those wanting lunch afterward, High Desert Market is across from the Iron Man. Well-behaved dogs are welcomed. Bring hiking poles if you like. Questions? Text 954-770-2221.

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BACKTRACK - Parker Lake

There are some hikes that remind us of how the Muleteam is such a very special group. Every week is different. Regulars, old friends who’ve come back for a favorite hike, visiting friends and weekend tourists with a love of hiking who saw the ad in the paper. The Parker Canyon Lake hike was one of those. Twenty people and two dogs started. It was a long but very scenic drive to the lake. The weather couldn’t have been better. This beautiful hike was highlighted by some unexpected events. We met Jayne (who was hurt on the Mule Ridge hike, but is doing fine now) & Manny(?) on their boat, along with veteran Muleteamer Mike W and his wife Ann. At our lunch break, Manny took a few of our group across the lake to an island. Another highlight was watching Laura, Sara & Reta join the very elite group of Pipe Walkers take the frightening high-wire walk over the lake (see Larry’s photos). To top it all off, most of us rewarded ourselves with a glass or two of wine at Rune Winery in Sonoita. A day hard to beat. - Doug

Any other photos from this hike and this season are at Muleteam 2022-23. Add yours.

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FLASHBACK - Slavin Gulch 11-2012 

Richard Robinson, Jose & Guillermo from Cananea, John Wasser - more guys we miss this season

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REMAINING SEASON 2022-2023

APRIL
29 - Hike and Carr House presentation with Mike Foster

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

Parker Lake

EXPLORE PARKER CANYON LAKE

Join us this Saturday April 15th for another Muleteam tradition: Parker Canyon Lake, on the west side of the Huachucas  and one of the few lakes in this area. This is an easy hike along the shore of the lake, about 5 miles round trip on a mostly flat trail in a beautiful natural setting with herons and mallards. Bring water and lunch. Optional vineyard wine tasting after the hike at Hops & Vines on Route 82 outside of Sonoita. Meet April 15 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool. This is about an hour drive on paved roads: Rte 80 past Tombstone, left at Rte 82 past Rte 90, left at Elgin turnoff through beautiful country. Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact Doug at 432-0307 or reiniger@wyoming.com.

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BACKTRACK - Turkey Creek

Ten Muleteamers set up camp at Sycamore Campground in the Chiricahua's.  Five folks arrived early on Thursday to find that they had the campground mostly to themselves, all except for a couple rogue ravens looking to make trouble.  The campers were treated to a restful night soothed by the babbling sound of Turkey Creek. Friday the remaining campers arrived in time for a delicious potluck dinner.  Good food and lots of laughter was shared over a roaring campfire, thanks to Terryl's fire building skills.  

Thinking that we had the campground mostly to ourselves, we suddenly found that we became surrounded by a large group of happy campers arriving for the Easter weekend.  Large condo tents were expertly erected close by.  Huge air mattresses floated overhead one by one towards the condo.  The hike leader glanced over to her small tent thinking that it no longer looked so comfortable as she witnessed so many amenities of comfort being brought in.  All and all it was a restful night for all the campers.  

Saturday morning we were joined by three more hikers.  Larry led a leisurely hike along Turkey creek. While Carol took ten hikers up to the ridge top. Four hikers continued on to the Monte Vista fire tower.  The hike averaged approx 6 miles. The climb up switchbacks was a bit strenuous due to patches of deep snow and having to climb over fallen trees from a previous forest fire. - Carol

Any other photos from this hike and this season are at Muleteam 2022-23. Add yours.

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FLASHBACK - Peggy Scanlon and Guy Plaa - Muleteam legends gone but not forgotten

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REMAINING SEASON 2022-2023

APRIL
22 - Wood Canyon Plus with Lindsay Susan and Deb
29 - Hike and Carr House presentation with Mike Foster

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

Turkey Creek

CAMP AT TURKEY CREEK - Fri, Sat, April 7-8

Join the Muleteam for their annual spring campout at Sycamore campground by the creek off Turkey Creek Road. Car camping with toilets and picnic tables. No reserved sites or hookups, but probably a camping fee. Some people will go Thursday and try to claim spaces. Early Friday night potluck dinner. Arrive at campground anytime Friday or meet at the Bisbee courthouse fountain noon Friday to drive together or possibly carpool.

HIKE IN THE CHIRICAHUAS - Sat, April 8, 9am

Camping or not you can join the Muleteam for a hike on a wooded trail to Monte Vista peak for a sweeping view of the Chiricahuas. It's an up & down hike, 5? miles total with 2,600' elevation gain. An easier hike option will be a trail by the creek. Dogs allowed. Bring water and lunch. Back late afternoon. Campers & day hikers meet 9am April 8 at Sycamore Campground on Turkey Creek Road. Saturday morning transportation/carpooling is unplanned, so allow about 1 hour 45 minutes drive time. For more details contact Carol at chandlercarolpsk@gmail.com or 413-667-8760.

Directions: From Bisbee take hwy 80 toward Douglas, turn left on Double Adobe Rd, turn left on Central hwy thru Elfrida, at Sunizona turn right on 181, when the main road makes a sharp left turn continue straight on Turkey Creek Rd, decent dirt road for 10? miles and Sycamore Campground will be on the left.

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BACKTRACK - Council Rocks

This Saturday had a great turnout, no doubt due to the presence of Charlie Onehorse, who led the group through the history of Council Rocks and this unique and sacred landscape of the Dragoons.  We sampled some desert foods that sustained indigenous tribes... were shown pictographs and told about their meaning and purpose... were taught how an agave shoot can provide a ready-made needle and thread... and so much more.  If there was an overarching theme to Charlie's tour, it was a harkening back to the deep respect and awe that indigenous people all universally felt toward the lands in which they lived and were sustained by, as well as all the wildlife therein.  It was a kind of reverence towards life that (let's face it) has all but vanished throughout modernity.  This hiker found it quite sobering.   

After a group sing-along of a native song, Charlie Onehorse took his leave while the rest of us set off on a 3 mile loop around and through these picturesque rock formations. This is not an official loop, but one that Carol (hike leader) had discovered on her own.  There was bushwhacking and scrambling in some parts,  but all managed well.  It's always a treat to spend time in this area, this day especially. - Terryl

More photos from this hike and all current season Muleteam photos are at Photos 2022-23. Add yours.

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FLASHBACK -  2009 - First camp/hike at Cave Creek near Portal

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REMAINING SEASON 2022-2023

APRIL
15 - Parker Canyon Lake and wine tasting with Doug
22 - Wood Canyon Plus with Lindsay Susan and Deb
29 - Hike and Carr House presentation with Mike Foster

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