Lower Juniper Flats

"WINDING ROAD" TO JUNIPER FLATS 
New for the Muleteam, this 2-2.5 mile hike will start at 1416 N. Old Divide Road, a private property behind the “Winding Road” gate. We will hike up to Juniper Flats via a trail marked with cairns and blazes. It takes about an hour to hike up the 700 ft. of elevation with some very light bouldering required near the top. Along the way, you will have spectacular views of Mt. Ballard and Fissure Peak, as well as close-ups of three primitive mines. From the top you can descend on an alternate route that branches off of the ascent trail or walk back via Juniper Flats Road, the longer but gentler way. Lunch will be at the property upon our return. If folks want a longer hike, then they can walk back to town via West Blvd or the ridge trail off of Juniper Flats.
We will meet at the courthouse at 9am Saturday, Jan. 31 and carpool to the property or meet at 9:20 at the property. Bring water and a snack lunch. Hiking poles are optional, and dogs are welcome. Back by early afternoon. Contact Susan Mayes at 610-220-5287 for more information.
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BACKTRACK - Slavin Gulch
The Slavin Gulch hike was rained out. 
Photo below is from Slavin Gulch 2019-20. 
 
Season photos at Muleteam 2025-26 - Join the page and add a few of your own.
 
Archive Photos:
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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 (125 followers). 
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SCHEDULE 2025-2026

FEBRUARY
7 - Natural bridge trail in the Chiricahuas with Molly
14 - Mural Hill in the Mule Mtns with Carol
21 - Fairbank on the San Pedro River hike & picnic with Doug
28 - Mt Ballard in the Mule Mountains with Deb

MARCH
7 - Miller Canyon to Parlermee ruins in the Huachucas with Ed
14 - 
21 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Carol
28 - Arizona trail near Sonoita with Molly & Jan

APRIL
4 - Old Bisbee art stairs hike with Larry
11 - Hunter Canyon loop in the Huachucas with Jim Poulin
17-18-19 - Campout/hike at Herb Martyr/Cave Creek near Portal
25 -

MAY
2 -
9 - Coronado Cave in the Huachucas last hike & potluck



 

Slavin Gulch

HIKE UP SLAVIN GULCH
Join the Muleteam this Saturday, January 24, for a hike in the Dragoon Mountains. The trail is a rocky path and old mining road with huge bolder formations nearby, along a great sand-bottomed creek. It’s steady uphill to some old mining ruins and down the same way for a total of approximately 6.8 miles. Bring water, lunch and maybe a walking stick. Dogs are welcome. Back late afternoon. Meet January 24 at 9am at the Old Bisbee Courthouse fountain to carpool (over an hour each way). Free, but gas donation is appreciated. For more information, contact Carol at (413) 667-8760 or chandlercarolpsk@gmail.com
 
Alternatively, hikers may meet us at about 9:40am at the beginning of Middlemarch Road (off Route 80 north of Tombstone).
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BACKTRACK - Brown Canyon
A weird start to the day: the hike leader's car was dead in her garage, but Larry-to-the-rescue rushed over and scooped her up. So, good. Next surprise: no dogs! 18 hikers, but no dogs. And, of course, one person was left lamenting that she had filled her pocket with dog treats for the occasion. On to the hike: a few pop-ups. First, a pop quiz by Laura, about Brown Canyon Ranch. There was a ringer in the crowd who knew most of the answers, and it turns out he lives right next door to the ranch! Next pop-up was Brad, who was waiting for us at "the trough". He smiled, waved, then zoomed off ahead of us. Third pop-up turned out to be two new (to us) young women who also appeared at the trough, to accompany us the rest of the way. Lunch, as usual, was at the usual, beloved overlook... and no more surprises. All was well. - Laura
 

More photos at Muleteam 2025-26 - Join the page and add a few of your own photos. 
 
Archive Photos:
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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 (125 followers). 
• 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 2025-2026

JANUARY
31 - Lower Juniper Flats in the Mule Mtns with Susan

FEBRUARY
7 - Natural bridge trail in the Chiricahuas with Molly
14 - Mural Hill in the Mule Mtns with Carol
21 - Fairbank on the San Pedro River hike & picnic with Doug
28 - Mt Ballard in the Mule Mountains with Deb

MARCH
7 - Miller Canyon to Parlermee ruins in the Huachucas with Ed
14 - 
21 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Carol
28 - Arizona trail near Sonoita with Molly & Jan

APRIL
4 - Old Bisbee art stairs hike with Larry
11 - Hunter Canyon loop in the Huachucas with Jim Poulin
17-18-19 - Campout/hike at Herb Martyr/Cave Creek near Portal
25 -

MAY
2 -
9 - Coronado Cave in the Huachucas last hike & potluck



 

Brown Canyon

WALK THE BROWN CANYON TRAIL
Join the Muleteam this Saturday January 17th for a hike through a unique and scenic wooded canyon in the Huachuca Mountains of Sierra Vista. This trail is well-marked and moderately difficult with a mix of some uphill sections through the forest, following a running creek making a roundtrip of about 6 miles. Bring water and lunch. Back mid-afternoon. Meet January 17th at 9am by the Old Bisbee courthouse fountain to carpool or join us at 10am at Brown Canyon Ranch in Hereford. 
For more email Laura at mssmithlg@aol.com or call her at (206) 715-6589.

The ride to the trailhead at Brown Canyon Ranch (off Ramsey Road/Route 92) is about 45 minutes from the Courthouse. Gas donation to carpool drivers is appreciated. There is a day-use fee of $8 per vehicle, which is waived for holders of National Park Passes (Annual, Senior, Military).
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BACKTRACK - China Camp
Fourteen hikers and three dogs braved the cold and wind to hike to China Camp in the Dragoons. The sun was shining but there were still several icy patches on the old road that required careful stepping. Lunch was by the running creek. It seemed to finally warm up on the way down to the parking area. - Sandy

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Archive Photos:
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SIDETRACK - The San Pedro River needs your support!!
An RV Park is being considered on a property next to the Echoing Hope Ranch off Hereford Rd. This is a terrible location for an RV Park: very close to the river, herbicides will most likely be used to keep the vegetation down to reduce snake surprises (and if snakes are found they will be killed), septic issues close to the water table, trash, human activity will keep away wildlife, and it is a perennial reach so it is richly vegetated and full of wildlife. Our county Supervisor Kathleen Gomez, representing Bisbee, is from Douglas and is not familiar with how precious the river is to her consitituents. She needs to know this. I have been tasked by ardent river lovers not in her district, to face-time with Kathleen so she can hear how passionate we are about preserving the river. I need about three people to come with me to meet with Kathleen (time to be determined). If you are interested, please contact Cado Daily cadomexico@gmail.com or text 520-366-2208. The river thanks you! - Cado
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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 (125 followers). 
• 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 2025-2026

JANUARY
24 - Slavin Gulch in the Dragoons with Carol
31 - Lower Juniper Flats in the Mule Mtns with Susan

FEBRUARY
7 - Natural bridge trail in the Chiricahuas with Molly
14 - Mural Hill in the Mule Mtns with Carol
21 - Fairbank on the San Pedro River hike & picnic with Doug
28 - Mt Ballard in the Mule Mountains with Deb

MARCH
7 - Miller Canyon to Parlermee ruins in the Huachucas with Ed
14 - 
21 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Carol
28 - Arizona trail near Sonoita with Molly & Jan

APRIL
4 - Old Bisbee art stairs hike with Larry
11 - Hunter Canyon loop in the Huachucas with Jim Poulin
17-18-19 - Campout/hike at Herb Martyr/Cave Creek near Portal
25 -

MAY
2 -
9 - Coronado Cave in the Huachucas last hike & potluck



China Camp

HIKE TO CHINA CAMP
Join the Muleteam this Saturday, January 10th, 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. We will have lunch by a small creek. Hikers wishing to go to the peak can continue on their own. Bring water and lunch. Dogs welcome. Back mid afternoon. Meet January 10th 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 Sandy at 520-353-5124 or slajudice@yahoo.com.
 
Alternate meeting spot: Anyone wanting to can meet the group at the turnoff from Hwy 80 onto Middlemarch Road. Please be there by 9:30.

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BACKTRACK - Upper Juniper Flats
15 hikers and two dogs hiked a 5 mile loop up on Juniper Flats. The weather and company made for a pleasurable hike. The eastward path led us along the mountainside with lovely views of Wildcat Canyon, Sulfur Springs Valley backdropped by the Swisshelms and Chiricahuas. We turned off the trail and traversed a path down into the lower valley where we stopped to lunch among a camp ruin. After lunch the group followed the switch backs leading to the middle road leading below to the Second tower road where we parked.
 
More photos at Muleteam 2025-26 - Join the page and add a few of your own photos.
 
Archive Photos:
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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 (125 followers). 
• 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 2025-2026

JANUARY
17 - Brown Canyon in the Huachucas with Laura
24 - Slavin Gulch in the Dragoons with Carol
31 - Lower Juniper Flats in the Mule Mtns with Susan

FEBRUARY
7 - Natural bridge trail in the Chiricahuas with Molly
14 - Mural Hill in the Mule Mtns with Carol
21 - Fairbank on the San Pedro River hike & picnic with Doug
28 - Mt Ballard in the Mule Mountains with Deb

MARCH
7 - Miller Canyon to Parlermee ruins in the Huachucas with Ed
14 - 
21 - Council Rocks in the Dragoons with Carol
28 - Arizona trail near Sonoita with Molly & Jan

APRIL
4 - Old Bisbee art stairs hike with Larry
11 -
17-18-19 - Campout/hike at Herb Martyr/Cave Creek near Portal
25 -

MAY
2 -
9 - Coronado Cave in the Huachucas last hike & potluck