HIKE THE 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.
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.
Meet March 2nd at 9:00 AM by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain. From there it is about a one-hour drive to Kartchner Caverns, on Hwy 90 almost to Benson. Dogs on leashes welcome. Bring water and lunch. There is a $7.00 per car fee for entrance to the Park. Back around 3:30 PM. For more details contact Monica at 520-461-6799 or sometimesthelight@hotmail.com.
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BACKTRACK - Mt Ballard
24 intrepid hikers and Badger (the dog) set out to hike Mt. Ballard, at 7,370 feet the highest peak in the Mule Mountains. We had a gorgeous day and started hiking from the old Divide at 9:15 a.m. Mt. Ballard is a rather unrelenting uphill trek, fortunately loaded with great views along the way, and the group quickly spread out along the trail. I'm happy to report that all 24 of us made it to the summit, where we enjoyed snacks and/or early lunch and a group photo. Three speedy hikers and Badger took off before all of us reached the top for Mt. Fissure, another peak down and up a bit from Mt. Ballard. One family headed on down the trail before the group photo, and we also missed two of the speedy hikers in the photo since they were still on Fissure, so if you're counting folks in the photo you'll see a few less than our total group.
After enjoying sun, food, and a photo at the summit we started the trek down. Two hikers peeled off to visit Mt. Fissure, and the rest of us continued on. I'm also happy to report that all 24 of us made it back down the trail incident-free, in spite of some rocky and steep spots! After the hike Dave invited us all to his place at the top of the Divide for drinks, and about half of us enjoyed cooling off in the shade with cold beverages for an hour or so before heading home. All in all another great Muleteam hike! ~Deb
More photos at Photos 2023-24. Try adding your own.
Past seasons: Photos 2022-23 - Photos 2021-22
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CALENDAR 2023-2024
MARCH
9 - Juniper Flats in the Mule Mtns from divide to towers with Brad
16 - Fairbank hike and San Pedro riverside picnic with Doug
23 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Carol
30 - Hunter Canyon Loop in the Huachucas with Jim Poulin
APRIL
5-7 - Picacho Peak hike and campout with Sandy and Molly
13 - Old Bisbee art stairs with Larry
20 - Parker Canyon Lake and optional Sonoita wine tasting with Doug
27 - Miller Peak in the Huachucas with Carol
MAY
4 - Carr House hike & presentation in the Huachucas with Mike Foster
11 - Coronado Cave and season end potluck with Doug
