Hiking in the area around Bisbee AZ since 2000, the Muleteam is a bunch of unique individuals. We hike each Saturday from the end of October to mid May, and various hike leaders offer a wide range of hikes averaging 4-7 miles roundtrip. Anyone is invited to join us, but each hiker is responsible for their own safety and comfort.
Carr House
Miller Peak
Parker Lake
Join the Muleteam this Saturday April 20th for a scenic hike around the shores of one of the few lakes in the Sonoita area. This is an easy hike, about 5 miles round trip on a mostly flat trail in a natural setting with and great views and (usually) ducks and herons. Bring water and lunch. After the hike there will be an optional wine tasting at Hops and Vines on Route 82 near Sonoita (which will have live music until 4:00pm). Meet April 20th at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool. This is a very scenic drive of about 1½ hours through beautiful country on the west side of the Huachucas. Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact Doug at 520-432-0307 or reiniger@wyoming.com.
Art Stairs
Picacho Peak
-Entrance/camping fee is $15 per vehicle per night. The first three vehicles to arrive have been paid for (it's required) and the next three will have to pay there. We'll work out the money exchange after everyone arrives. If you are just coming Saturday for the day hike, the entrance fee is $7 per vehicle.
-Campers: arrive at the campground anytime starting Friday at 2:00 p.m.. Let the people at the entrance know you are with the Roadrunner group. We have the group site through Sunday morning.-They allow a maximum of six vehicles at the group site. For this reason carpooling is encouraged. If there is a problem at the park entrance, call me! (Too many rules!Emoji)
-Campers, RV’s, and trailers are not permitted in the group site. If you plan on coming up in one of these you will need to reserve your own campsite (Loop C is very close, it’s where the restrooms are located), then join us for the festivities. Make your own reservations and present at the entrance.
-Because of a water shortage, they have asked that we only fill individual water bottles. For a gallon or more, please fill up and bring from home.
-Questions about the camping portion of this weekend can be directed to Sandy at 520-353-5124 or slajudice@yahoo.com
APRIL 6 - PICACHO PEAK HIKE
The plan is to ascend to Picacho Peak via the Sunset Vista Trail and descend on the Hunter Trail. The ascent will be approximately 3.1 miles and the descent will be approximately 1.6 miles (distances vary according to which information site is consulted).
Gloves are recommended for both ascent and descent as at times cables to grasp will be available. Poles are recommended, particularly for the descent which will be steep. Retractable poles that can be stored in your pack might be best so that you can use both hands to hold cables at times. At least twice as much water as you would use on a standard five mile hike is recommended. This may sound tough, and some of it is, but we managed to do it 10 years ago and found it enjoyable enough that we want to do it again. Dogs are not permitted beyond the saddle.
We will meet at the Roadrunner Group campground at 8:30 a.m. to drive to the Sunset Vista trailhead. Before that some of the campers will shuttle a car or two to the end point, the Hunter trailhead. At the end of the hike those cars will go back to the Sunset Trailhead for the vehicles left there in the morning.
For those coming just for the day:
Questions about the hike can be directed to Molly at 520-432-3902 or eeo.source@gmail.com
Hunter Canyon
Join the Muleteam this Saturday, March 30th for a relatively easy four-mile hike with rolling hills and a mix of sun and shade in Hunter Canyon in the Huachucas. We will begin on East Hunter Canyon Road – just off route 92 in Hereford. We will hike a loop around lower Hunter Canyon following trails, washes and mountain biking trails. We will stop for lunch under a magnificent Cottonwood tree. There will be scenic views of the Huachucas, the Mules and the vast San Pedro Valley. Bring water, snacks & lunch. Dogs on leash are OK. Back early afternoon. Meet March 30th at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool and drive the 40 minutes to the Hunter Canyon Parking lot. For any questions, contact Jim at 802-355-4591 or jim.poulin@yahoo.com.
As for the concrete slab where we eat lunch and which we have often wondered about: Apparently it is a remnant of Bisbee's first country club. Judging from this photo, I would say the location seems right. What I was told was that it was burned down by the Wobblies (Industrial Workers of the World) during the 1917 strike. If so, it's a site with a more significant history than I ever realized. - Elizabeth
Council Rocks
Join the Muleteam this Saturday, March 23rd for a hike to Council Rocks in the scenic Dragoon Mtns. with dramatic boulder formations & pictographs and including a fascinating and informative talk about the area's Apache history by Yaqui Artist Charlie OneHorse. This moderate 3 mile loop path will include some rock scrambling and bushwhacking. Bring water & lunch. Meet March 23rd at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool (about 90 minutes each way). Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact Carol at chandlercarolpsk@gmail.com or 413-667-8760.
Fairbank
Join the Muleteam this Saturday March 16th for a special relaxing and fun event: our 14th Annual Potluck Riverside Picnic along the San Pedro River. We start at the Historic Fairbank Townsite and walk along a flat and easy trail, first to see the 100+ year old cemetery and then mill ruins until we get to the river in only about 1½ miles. At the riverside, we spread out the tablecloths, put out the food and drinks and have a long, relaxing lunch. We ask that everyone bring some food or drink to share. Rumor has it that beer & wine have usually been smuggled in. All the plates, utensils and glasses will be provided. After lunch, everyone has the option to either return to Fairbank the way we came, or continue the longer loop route along the river (about 4 more miles). Meet March 16th at 9 am by the Old Bisbee courthouse, from which we can car pool to the Fairbank Townsite parking lot.
The hike to the two tower complexes on the Juniper Flats Road began from Mule Pass with eight hikers and one dog. Two more hikers joined us on the way for a complete complement of 10 hikers. The tour was mostly uneventful, with skies that were clouding up but never got very threatening. They did block the sun, which made a cold breeze all the more noticeable, and most of all at the top where the last towers were situated and where we had lunch in scenic splendor. That was brought to an early halt by hikers without extra clothing who were followed at intervals by other hikers on their own or as couples.
Juniper Flats
Join the Muleteam this Saturday March 9th for a scenic hike starting at the top of Mule Pass and then along the Juniper Flats Road to the last tower complex. This hike will be moderately paced on uphills with the steepest grade along the first half mile. Regular stops to regroup should be expected. About 6 miles roundtrip with an 1100 foot climb. Bring water & lunch. Back early afternoon. Meet March 9th at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool. Hikers should not meet at Mule Pass since parking there is limited. Free. For more details contact Brad at bradward.j3@juno.com or call 432-2476.
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Guindani Trail
Join the Muleteam this Saturday March 2nd for a hike in the Whetstone Moutains beginning in Kartchner Caverns State Park. The Guindani trail is a 4.2-mile loop. The elevation ranges from 4709 to 5619 feet for an elevation gain of 910 feet. One half is in the shade of a treed canyon with a steep hike. The other half is in the sun with very gradually lowering elevation. We will lunch on the saddle with lovely views.
Mt Ballard
Join the Muleteam this Saturday to hike to the highest point in the Mule Mountains, west of the "Divide" with outstanding views of Bisbee, Mexico, and the Huachuca Mountains. This is a fairly difficult hike on a natural path with a steep rocky section. The total distance round trip is only 3.5 miles, but includes an elevation gain of 1,300 feet. Bring water and snacks or lunch. Back early afternoon. Free. Dogs welcome, but be aware that there is lots of cholla along the narrow trail.
Sandoval Cross
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San Pedro
Miller Canyon
Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a hike through lower Miller Canyon, a scenic wooded valley in the Huachuca Mountains. The trail has some water in the stream from snow mountain runoff. From lower Miller, we will hop the road and head up upper Miller for less than a mile and have a snack or lunch by the ruins of an old town (Parmerlee??). This is a very easy hike with a 5 mile round trip. Bring water and lunch. Dogs on leashes ok. Back early afternoon. Meet 9am February 3 by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool. Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact Jan 704-299-6614 or bolduc03@aol.
China Camp
Join the Muleteam this Saturday, January 27th, for a hike in the Dragoon Mountains on an old mining road with wonderful views. This hike will be moderate uphill to the camp ruins and down the same way for a little more than 5 miles total. Bring water and lunch. Dogs welcome. Back late afternoon. Meet January 27 at 9am by the Old Bisbee Courthouse fountain to carpool (over an hour each way). Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact Brad at (520) 432-2476 or bradward.j3@juno.com.
Patio Peak
Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a local hike from Yuma Trail in Warren through Gold Gulch and by Gold Hill to a distinctive peak in the southern Mule Mountains. The hike goes up and down trails and an old mining road. Total distance is about 6.4 miles with a challenging uphill, rocky section and 1200 ft. elevation gain. Have lunch by the “patio” on top and enjoy a view of Bisbee from a different angle. Dogs welcome. Bring water and poles if you use them. Free. Back mid afternoon.
Meet at the old Bisbee courthouse fountain January 20 by 9:00 a.m. to carpool or follow to the trailhead. For more information contact Sandy at 520-353-5124 or slajudice@yahoo.com.