Muleteam

EXPLORE COUNCIL ROCKS
Join the Muleteam at the earlier time of 8am this Saturday, March 21st for a hike to Council Rocks in the scenic Dragoon Mountains, with dramatic boulder formations and pictographs. This moderate three and-a-half mile loop will include some rock scrambling and bushwacking. Bring water and lunch. Meet March 21 at 8am 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.

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BACKTRACK - Parker Lake

Ten hikers and one dog set out on the circuit of Parker Canyon Lake. One hiker elected to relax at the marina concession where small watercraft are rented out for fishing or general recreation and transporting to isolated spots along the shoreline. The temperature was comfortably warm, and the lake looked refreshing with a deep blue color despite its being at the lowest level ever remembered by participants in the earliest Muleteam hikes there. The lake was so low that what is usually a small island near a traditional lunch spot was reachable without any intervening water blocking the way. The group of hikers took advantage of what will most fortunately be a one time occasion when such a lunch spot is reachable on foot before the lake begins rising again. The ground trod on was damp with firm mud which was not slippery at all.

The most unexpected and undesired incident was when the leader stumbled and took a tumble when vigilance was relaxed at a spot where an obstacle was not seen in time to be avoided. Ironically, this happened while an attempt was being made to keep the group from getting too spread out, but instead of doing so by slowing the pace down, the pace was still apparently too fast to allow for bad footing to be responded to and successfully avoided. Instead of being too spread out, it would seem that the group was close enough together that the pace could not be slowed easily enough over a brief interval when more time was needed to avoid a spot capable of tripping up the unwary. Remainder of the outing was uneventful with the winery event held well before the business chosen reached its closing time for new arrivals. Vehicles arrived back in Bisbee as daylight was just beginning to fade. - Brad