Picacho Peak

APRIL 5-7 - PICACHO PEAK CAMPOUT 

Join the Muleteam for the annual spring campout at Picacho Peak State Park.  We have reserved the Roadrunner Group Area for camping, complete with a small ramada, picnic tables, fire rings and tent pads.  It’s an easy walk to the restrooms/showers and water.  There will be an early potluck dinner Friday night.  Some things to know:

 -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: 

The entrance fee will be $7.00 per car. Drive to the Roadrunner Group Camp Area and then we will carpool to the Sunset Trailhead. A map should be available at the entrance when you pay your fee. If not, the signage for the approximately 3 mile drive to the Roadrunner Group was sufficient as I  recall. Please arrive at the Roadrunner Group Camp area by 8:30 a.m. 
 
Questions about the hike can be directed to Molly at 520-432-3902 or eeo.source@gmail.com

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BACKTRACK - Hunter Canyon Loop

24 folks, including a 9-year-old and Kala the dog hiked through the Lower Hunter Canyon Loop on Saturday, March 30th.  We were treated by a sunny and warm (70’s) day and gusty winds.  More often than not we were protected from the breeze.  This was a fun four-mile loop of rolling hills and excellent views of the mountains and valleys.  Along the way we saw two Javelinas (or was it the same one twice?!?), a herd of ten deer and five mountain bikers.  Lunch was in an open area under the trees and protected from the wind.  The group had to stick close together due to the many turns and forks in the trail.  This loop is a popular mounting biking destination, and we were hiking on biking trials.  After lunch, a few hikers took a short cut back to the cars while the rest hiked on through the southern loop.  It was about a three-and-a-half-hour journey, and we were back to the cars early in the afternoon for the ride home. – Jim Poulin (rookie trip leader)

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

APRIL

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