Mt Ballard

HIKE TO MT. BALLARD PEAK
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.

Meet February 22nd at 9 am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain, from which we will carpool up Tombstone Canyon Road to West Blvd. up to the Divide. Alternatively, hikers may head straight for the Divide and wait there. For more details contact Deb at (802)777-1499 or debvanschaack@gmail.com.

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BACKTRACK - Little Boquillas

Ten people met at the trailhead, nine actual hikers and one designated trail trimmer on a bicycle!  The weather was perfect with blue skies and sunshine.  We followed the San Pedro trail then branched off until we came to the old rusty cars.  According to Doug the one shown in the group picture is a 1940 Studebaker.  After a leisurely lunch by the river we returned to the trail, stopping briefly at the Little Boquillas ranch to explore some of the old buildings. - Sandy

Great hike.  No wind, with sun bouncing comfortably on our shoulders. - Jenno

More photos at Photos 2024-25 - Join the page and add a few of your own photos.

Archive Photos:

Past seasons: Photos 2023-24 - Photos 2022-23 - Photos 2021-22 

Other Photos: Picacho Peak 2014 - 20th Anniversary Photo Book

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The web page muleteam.blogspot.com has the current hike and schedule. Also go there to subscribe to the Muleteam weekly email. 

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SCHEDULE 2024-2025

March

1 - Fairbank and San Pedro river picnic with Doug & Anne

8 - China Camp in the Dragoons with Sandy

15 - Lower Miller Canyon in the Huachucas with Amy and Dave Reed

22 - Guindani Trail in the Whetstones with Monica

29 - Douglas hike or Cochise Stronghold with Kelly

 

April

5 - Parker Canyon Lake and wine tasting with Doug

12 - Old Bisbee art stairs with Larry

19-20 - Rucker hike and campout in the Chiricahuas with Carol

26 - South Perimeter Trail in the Huachucas with Ed King

May

3 - Last hike and potluck with ?

 

Little Boquillas

HIKE THE SAN PEDRO TRAIL BEYOND LITTLE BOQUILLAS RANCH
Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a hike on the San Pedro Trail south of the Fairbank Schoolhouse. We will pass the Little Boquillas Ranch, then eventually branch off to visit a relic of the past and have lunch by the river. On the way back feel free to explore the ranch.  The hike is approximately 7 miles roundtrip on an old dirt road with minor elevation changes. The last part of the hike may be overgrown so be prepared! Bring water and lunch. Back mid-afternoon. Meet Feb.15 at 9 a.m. by the Old Bisbee Courthouse fountain to carpool. Free, but gas donation is appreciated.  For more information contact Sandy at 520-353-5124 or slajudice@yahoo.com.

If you are planning to meet at the trailhead, meet around 9:45 in the parking lot across the road from the Fairbank Schoolhouse on SR82 (by the corrals). 

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BACKTRACK - Council Rocks

Sixteen hikers and one dog were treated to an interpretative walk through Council Rocks by Charlie One Horse. Charlie shared his oral history handed down from his Yaqui family regarding the spiritual significance that Council Rocks has to native nations. We all were awed by his interpretation of the pictographs.  Afterwards, the hikers took a path less traveled that wound up, down and under the rock grottos. A bit of blood was lost whilst bush-wacking through thick shin daggers, cat claw acacia, yucca and ocotillo. But it was a small price to pay for experiencing the spectacular, mystical scenery of the Dragoons. - Carol

More photos at Photos 2024-25 - Join the page and add a few of your own photos.

Archive Photos:

Past seasons: Photos 2023-24 - Photos 2022-23 - Photos 2021-22 

Other Photos: Picacho Peak 2014 - 20th Anniversary Photo Book

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Subscribe for the email

The web page muleteam.blogspot.com has the current hike and schedule. Also go there to subscribe to the Muleteam weekly email. 

• With a computer/laptop add your email address in the subscription box upper right. 

• To subscribe by phone scroll to the bottom and click "view web version", click the subscription box to enlarge and add your email address.

____________________

SCHEDULE 2024-2025

February 

22 - Mt Ballard in the Mule Mtns with Deb 

March

1 - Fairbank and San Pedro river picnic with Doug & Anne

8 - China Camp in the Dragoons with Sandy

15 - Lower Miller Canyon in the Huachucas with Amy and Dave Reed

22 - Guindani Trail in the Whetstones with Monica

29 - Douglas hike or Cochise Stronghold with Kelly

 

April

5 - Parker Canyon Lake and wine tasting with Doug

12 - Old Bisbee art stairs with Larry

19-20 - Rucker hike and campout in the Chiricahuas with Carol

26 - South Perimeter Trail in the Huachucas with Ed King

May

3 - Last hike and potluck with ?

Council Rocks

HIKE COUNCIL ROCKS
Join the Muleteam this Saturday 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 Feb 8 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. 

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BACKTRACK - Perimeter Trail

We're calling this a pop-up hike, since it was hastily thrown together two days before hike day.  Why?  Rabies in the Huachucas!  Erring on the safe side, the Perimeter Trail hike was discarded and replaced with the good old Ridge Trail Loop, right here in the Mules.  It turned out that many people reported for duty, I mean, to hike with us because they were so pleased that it was local and that it was short.  And short, it was.  Maybe half squirted off back to town after we crested to the Ridge Trail, while the rest of us continued on in our usual fashion.  Some sprinted ahead with Carol, some stayed in the middle with Laura, and the other third brought up the rear with the good "sweeper" Sara.  That's how we roll, and it was beautiful. - Laura

More photos at Photos 2024-25 - Join the page and add a few of your own photos.

Archive Photos:

Past seasons: Photos 2023-24 - Photos 2022-23 - Photos 2021-22 

Other Photos: Picacho Peak 2014 - 20th Anniversary Photo Book

__________________

Subscribe for the email

The web page muleteam.blogspot.com has the current hike and schedule. Also go there to subscribe to the Muleteam weekly email. 

• With a computer/laptop add your email address in the subscription box upper right. 

• To subscribe by phone scroll to the bottom and click "view web version", click the subscription box to enlarge and add your email address.

____________________

SCHEDULE 2024-2025

Feb 

15 - San Pedro trail to the old car with Sandy

22 - Mt Ballard in the Mule Mtns with Deb 

March

1 - China Camp in the Dragoons with Sandy

8 - Fairbank and San Pedro river picnic with Doug & Anne

15 - Lower Miller Canyon in the Huachucas with Amy and Dave Reed

22 - Guindani Trail in the Whetstones with Monica

29 - Douglas hike or Cochise Stronghold with Kelly

 

April

5 - Parker Canyon Lake and wine tasting with Doug

12 - Old Bisbee art stairs with Larry

19-20 - Rucker hike and campout in the Chiricahuas with Carol

26 - South Perimeter Trail in the Huachucas with Ed King

May

3 - Last hike and potluck with ?

Ridge Trail

The scheduled hike on the Perimeter Trail has been cancelled due to reports of animal rabies in the area. So Laura and Sara have chosen another hike to lead Saturday...

RIDGE TRAIL LOOP
Join the Muleteam this Saturday, Feb 1 and hike high on the Mule Mtns ridge trail above Old Bisbee. We'll start by walking up Tombstone Canyon before accessing the ridge trail via Locklin Ave. Once at the trail junction we'll hang a left toward Juniper Flats and then a right at the 3-way trail intersection and down into Zacatecas Canyon. This stretch of the ridge trail provides stunningly wild views! Once in the canyon, hikers will have a chance to choose their own way home, either by completing the loop via the City Trail, or meandering through the streets of Bisbee. The total distance is roughly 4.5 miles, with about 1,000 feet elevation gain. Bring water and a snack, we'll be back by lunchtime. Dogs are welcome. Meet at 9am on Saturday by the old Bisbee courthouse fountain to start the hike. Free. For more details contact Laura at 206-715-6589 or mssmithlg@aim.com.

North Perimeter Trail

WALK THE PERIMETER TRAIL
Join the Muleteam this Saturday for a hike along the winding foothills of the Huachuca Mountains between Carr and Miller Canyons. This is a relatively easy, level trail with vista views of the San Pedro Valley, but it will be about 7 miles roundtrip. Bring water and lunch. Back mid-afternoon. Meet Feb 1 at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool. Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more details contact Laura at 206-715-6589 or mssmithlg@aim.com.

The trailhead is at the first dirt parking area on Carr Canyon Rd, and the hike returns on the same trail.

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BACKTRACK - Canelo Hills West

It was a beautiful sunny day beyond the Huachuca Mountains on part of passage 3 of the Arizona Trail. Eleven hikers walked 6.5 miles through rolling hills with spectacular views of the surrounding grasslands, with the Santa Ritas as a backdrop. A special treat on the drive home was a massive heard of pronghorn antelope alongside the road. -Lindsay 

More photos at Photos 2024-25 - Join the page and add a few of your own photos.

Archive Photos:

Past seasons: Photos 2023-24 - Photos 2022-23 - Photos 2021-22 

Other Photos: Picacho Peak 2014 - 20th Anniversary Photo Book

__________________

Subscribe for the email

The web page muleteam.blogspot.com has the current hike and schedule. Also go there to subscribe to the Muleteam weekly email. 

• With a computer/laptop add your email address in the subscription box upper right. 

• To subscribe by phone scroll to the bottom and click "view web version", click the subscription box to enlarge and add your email address.

____________________

SCHEDULE 2024-2025

Feb 

8 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Carol

15 - San Pedro trail to the old car with Sandy

22 - Mt Ballard in the Mule Mtns with Deb 

March

1 - China Camp in the Dragoons with Sandy

8 - Fairbank and San Pedro river picnic with Doug & Anne

15 - Lower Miller Canyon in the Huachucas with Amy and Dave Reed

22 - Guindani Trail in the Whetstones with Monica

29 - Douglas hike or Cochise Stronghold with Kelly

 

April

5 - Parker Canyon Lake and wine tasting with Doug

12 - Old Bisbee art stairs with Larry

19-20 - Rucker hike and campout in the Chiricahuas with Carol

26 - South Perimeter Trail in the Huachucas with Ed King

May

3 - Last hike and potluck with ?

Canelo Hills West

HIKE CANELO HILLS WEST

Join the Muleteam at 8am this Saturday for a lovely there-and-back singletrack in wide-open grasslands on the far side of the Huachuca Mountains. The trail winds up and down rolling hills, with scenic vistas to the west. Hike at your own pace as far as you'd like; we will plan to enjoy lunch at a turnaround point (perhaps 3-3.5 miles in). Meet Saturday, Jan 25 at the Courthouse fountain in Old Bisbee. The drive from the Courthouse will take an hour and a half or more, so meetup time for this hike is 8 a.m. Carpooling encouraged. 

If you already have a valid Fort Huachuca pass, you can cut through Canelo Pass; otherwise, use trailhead GPS coordinates to find your best route. As you near the trailhead, you will be on dirt roads. This is open range cattle country, so well-behaved dogs on-leash only, please. Bring: water, lunch, sun protection, sticks if you use them. Back late afternoon. Questions? Text Lindsay at 954-770-2221 or call Deb at 802-777-1499. 

UPDATE: There is road construction in the Fort, so those driving to next week's hike might want to avoid the Canelo Pass route.

Trailhead GPS: 31.51291° N, 110.55819° W

For a thorough description, see what the AZ Trail says here: https://aztrail.org/explore/passages/passage-3-canelo-hills-west/

 

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BACKTRACK - Hunter Canyon

24 folks and three dogs hiked through the Lower Hunter Canyon Loop on Saturday, January 18^th.  We were treated by a sunny and cool (maybe sixty?) day with light winds.  We were well protected from any breeze.  This was a fun four-mile, 600-foot elevation gain loop of rolling hills, grasslands, wooded areas and washes with views of the mountains and valleys around every turn.  It was a different loop than last year’s hike to make it interesting for returning hikers.  Along the way we saw only one deer and very few mountain bikers – pretty quiet for a Saturday.  The group had to stick close together due to the many turns and forks in the trail.  This loop is a popular mountain biking destination, and we were hiking on biking trials the whole way.  Lunch was in an open area in a dry wash under a dead/burned tree.  After lunch, with a long downhill hike through two washes made for a great finish.  It was about a three-hour journey, and we were back to the cars early in the afternoon for the ride home.  There were many comments about how beautiful Hunter Canyon is for hiking.  – Jim P

More photos at Photos 2024-25 - Join the page and add a few of your own photos.

Archive Photos:

Past seasons: Photos 2023-24 - Photos 2022-23 - Photos 2021-22 

Other Photos: Picacho Peak 2014 - 20th Anniversary Photo Book

__________________

Subscribe for the email

The web page muleteam.blogspot.com has the current hike and schedule. Also go there to subscribe to the Muleteam weekly email. 

• With a computer/laptop add your email address in the subscription box upper right. 

• To subscribe by phone scroll to the bottom and click "view web version", click the subscription box to enlarge and add your email address.

____________________

SCHEDULE 2024-2025

Feb 

1 - Perimeter Trail in the Huachucas with Laura & Sara

8 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Carol

15 - San Pedro trail to the old car with Sandy

22 - Mt Ballard in the Mule Mtns with Deb 

March

1 - China Camp in the Dragoons with Sandy

8 - Fairbank and San Pedro river picnic with Doug & Anne

15 - Lower Miller Canyon in the Huachucas with Amy and Dave Reed

22 - Guindani Trail in the Whetstones with Monica

29 - Douglas hike or Cochise Stronghold with Kelly

 

April

5 - Parker Canyon Lake and wine tasting with Doug

12 - Old Bisbee art stairs with Larry

19-20 - Rucker hike and campout in the Chiricahuas with Carol

26 - South Perimeter Trail in the Huachucas with Ed King

May

3 - Last hike and potluck with ?

Hunter Canyon

HIKE LOWER HUNTER CANYON LOOP
Join the Mule Team this Saturday 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. If you did this hike last year, we will be doing a different loop so it will be fresh and new!
We will stop for lunch in a wash with a great view. 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 January 18th at 9am at the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool and drive the 40 minutes to the Hunter Canyon Parking lot. For more info contact Jim at 802-355-4591 or jim.poulin@yahoo.com.

Alternatively, hikers may meet us at about 9:45am at the Hunter Canyon parking lot. Turn west off route 92 on East Hunter Canyon Road – there is no road sign, but Google Maps shows the road. It is a dirt road right where the four lanes on 92 drops to two lanes. Cross the cattle grate and park on the left.

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BACKTRACK - Ida Canyon

It was a beautiful day to hike on a trail that was unfamiliar for most of the twelve of us (and a new dog) who started the hike. In the hike leader’s opinion, and that of at least one GPS, the trail up Ida Canyon to Bear Spring had considerably more than the 1700 feet elevation described at the Forest Service web site. Some of our group stopped at various points along the way, but not before taking in gorgeous views of Ida Canyon, the west side of the Huachucas, and Mexico. At the Ida mine site on the trail we saw what I have since learned is the front end of an old car that was jury-rigged as an ore hoist. Two intrepid hikers made it all the way to Bear Spring, and a third was informed she came within 55 feet of Bear Spring before turning back. I think we all enjoyed the hike, regardless of the distance covered. - Molly

More photos at Photos 2024-25 - Join the page and add a few of your own photos.

Archive Photos:

Past seasons: Photos 2023-24 - Photos 2022-23 - Photos 2021-22 

Other Photos: Picacho Peak 2014 - 20th Anniversary Photo Book

__________________

Subscribe for the email

The web page muleteam.blogspot.com has the current hike and schedule. Also go there to subscribe to the Muleteam weekly email. 

• With a computer/laptop add your email address in the subscription box upper right. 

• To subscribe by phone scroll to the bottom and click "view web version", click the subscription box to enlarge and add your email address.

____________________

SCHEDULE 2024-2025

January

25 - Arizona Trail: Canelo Hills West with Lindsay and Deb

Feb 

1 - Perimeter Trail in the Huachucas with Laura & Sara

8 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Carol

15 - San Pedro trail to the old car with Sandy

22 - Mt Ballard in the Mule Mtns with Deb 

March

1 - China Camp in the Dragoons with Sandy

8 - Fairbank and San Pedro river picnic with Doug & Anne

15 - Lower Miller Canyon in the Huachucas with Amy and Dave Reed

22 - Guindani Trail in the Whetstones with Monica

29 - Douglas hike or Cochise Stronghold with Kelly

 

April

5 - Parker Canyon Lake and wine tasting with Doug

12 - Old Bisbee art stairs with Larry

19-20 - Rucker hike and campout in the Chiricahuas with Carol

26 - ???

May

3 - Last hike and potluck with ?

Ida Canyon

HIKE IDA CANYON
Join the Muleteam this Saturday, January 11th for a mostly wooded hike in the SW Huachuca Mountains with a climb to scenic Bear Spring. The hike is about 6 miles total, medium+ difficulty, 1700 ft. elevation gain. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Old Bisbee Courthouse fountain to carpool. Bring water and lunch. Free, but gas donation appreciated. Return late afternoon. For more details call Molly at 208-720-7518.

For those meeting us at the trailhead, drive past Coronado Visitor Center to about 3.5 miles beyond Montezuma Pass. Turn right on to Forest Road 61 to Forest Road 771. Stay on Forest Road 771 to a closed gate. There is room for parking before going through the gate and we will meet there. High clearance vehicles are recommended for the portion of the road from Montezuma Pass to the trailhead.

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BACKTRACK - Mural Hill

Good weather for 21 of us hiking across the Bisbee desert to Mural Hill. A group photo was taken before dividing to hike at different speeds, which seemed to work well. The trail was more overgrown, and we saw more mining land development since last year. Almost everyone made it to the top for the amazing view, and one group arrived for lunch as others were preparing to return. However, we retreated from the wind on the very edge for a more calm spot for lunch. We enjoyed meeting a few new people, and it was a great hike as usual. Thanks to Carol for co-leading.  - Larry

More photos at Photos 2024-25 - Join the page and add a few of your own photos.

Archive Photos:

Past seasons: Photos 2023-24 - Photos 2022-23 - Photos 2021-22 

Other Photos: Picacho Peak 2014 - 20th Anniversary Photo Book

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SIDETRACK

A familiar Muleteam member hiked solo again on our last hike, and was again struggling to make it back as the group was returning. It was very concerning, and a small group remained behind to see him safely to his car. This has been happening with him in recent years, but this season it has become an alarming situation 3-4 times already. 

As group hikers we all take on some degree of responsibility to ourselves regarding our physical limitations. Unfortunately, we will all eventually reach the point where forces beyond our control limit our physical ability to traverse more challenging hikes. If a hiker refuses to acknowledge their own physical limits and continuously puts themselves at risk while hiking with the group they are unfairly placing the responsibility on other hikers to insure their safety. Please know your limitations when hiking with the group.

__________________

Subscribe for the email

The web page muleteam.blogspot.com has the current hike and schedule. Also go there to subscribe to the Muleteam weekly email. 

• With a computer/laptop add your email address in the subscription box upper right. 

• To subscribe by phone scroll to the bottom and click "view web version", click the subscription box to enlarge and add your email address.

____________________

SCHEDULE 2024-2025

January

18 - Ash or Hunter Canyon in the Huachucas with Jim Poulin

25 - Arizona Trail: Canelo Hills West with Lindsay and Deb

Feb 

1 - Perimeter Trail in the Huachucas with Laura & Sara

8 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Carol

15 - San Pedro trail to the old car with Sandy

22 - Mt Ballard in the Mule Mtns with Deb 

March

1 - China Camp in the Dragoons with Sandy

8 - Fairbank and San Pedro river picnic with Doug & Anne

15 - Lower Miller Canyon in the Huachucas with Amy and Dave Reed

22 - Guindani Trail in the Whetstones with Monica

29 - Douglas hike or Cochise Stronghold with Kelly

 

April

5 - Parker Canyon Lake and wine tasting with Doug

12 - Old Bisbee art stairs with Larry

19 - ???

26-27 - Rucker hike and campout in the Chiricahuas with Carol

May

3 - Last hike and potluck with ?