Saturday, March 24th
We rode the trail from Highway 83 SOUTH to Gardner TH on the east side of the Santa Ritas . ( We rode that direction because there was no place to camp at the N end of that segment .) First the trail was through rolling hills with a few live oaks; grass up to our knees when riding .
I had become conserned about Billy getting a hair rub at the back of the saddle and didn’t know what to do about it. As we rode along this segment we came across a discarded Mexican blanket . Ron had a sharp knife, so we cut out a rectangle of blanket for Billy’s back and it has worked fine ever since.
We rode through Kentucky Camp, an historical site for mining that is being restored . In conjunction with the buildings at that site there were old aquaducts and 2’ diameter riveted pipe that the AZT follows through this area .
For a while in camp we had the sound of mother cows bawling for their calves . ( The cowboy had driven them all in to the home range that day. ) The next morning the white faced cows and calves were reunited and heading back out along the trail past our camp .
There was frost on the tents that night .
Sunday March 25
We started at Sahuarita Rd.on Highway 83 and rode north toward I-10 . The trail was gently rolling hills with Hedgehog cactus and Ocotillo leafing and budding out . Under I-10 through a long tunnel . Ron had to take down a 2 strand fence at the N end of the tunnel (and back up)then there was a narrow ledge/edge to get around a big pour-off “pond” from the wash coming through the tunnel . NE to the high rim of Davidson Canyon; followed that to Cienega Creek Three Bridges . We finally learned from asking people stopping at the overlook, where to pick up the trail . Ron took down and put up another fence, and we were on our way . Only to be stopped again in about ¼ mile by another fence that we could not get through . So called my daughter Cris, who lives in Tucson, to please come out and get Dick and tell him where we were . Camped at a place on Pistol Hill Rd.
Monday, March 26
The Pistol Hill camp had great views of the Rincons; morning sun and evening sunset ! We now rode south again to see the section that we had been unable to get to the day before. Went through Colossal Cave Park; cottonwood trees in new spring leaf; huge perfect sahuaros with no blemishes; squatty (sometimes tall ) fish hook barrel cactus ready to bloom . a Disney-like castle on a hill watered the mules at the riding stable – Sara was so fun there ate lunch at a picnic table under huge mesquite trees
Tuesday, March 27
Left Pistol Hill Rd. heading north. Great trail; gently rolling, following the contours of the land, great footing . Prickly Pear cactus with new pads….. the Rincons massing to the north, straight ahead of us . Got to Rincon Creek, cottonwoods, flowing water . Can’t find the trail . Head down stream toward where Dick will be . Get fenced . Head for some houses; find a hole in the fence . Ask directions . Riding the streets of a nice subdivision. A jogger offers to take one of us to Dick . We accept . Ron stays with the mules . Valerie (thejogger) and I go to get Dick . We are reunited .
Trailer to Turkey Creel TH over a prime contender for the Washboard Road of the Year award .
But this campground is really nice and a wonderful place to spend our day off !! (As I’m writing this the turkey vultures are taking off and circling low over the sycamores !)Tomorrow we go over the Rincons to Reddington Pass .
Tuesday, March 27
We are camped, taking a day off, at Turkey Creek TH on the east side of the Rincons . Huge sycamore trees and big Live Oaks, last years grass still 3-4’ tall . Last night about 50-60 vultures were circling looking to perch for the night . Also BIG winds last night, all night . But we were snug in our tents . I loved it !
Saturday March 24th-- Hurrah- the sun is out and we are getting ready to resume the adventure. Paula and Steve were very, very gracious hosts. Yesterday, Ron, Diane and I went to Singing Wind Book store in Benson. Then off to Patagonia to shop and give Paula and Steve a break. Ron and Diane are saddling up and then we head for Gardner Trailhead to start. Hope to be at Colossal Cave Sunday night.
Richard Wertz
Richard Wertz
Friday
Not to worry family and friends !! We are snug and dry at Steve and Paula's, AGAIN ! They must be wondering if we will ever leave !! They have been so welcoming to us !!
The last two days the wind has been blowing hard, with rain, and some hail ..... We can see the Huachuca Mountains and they are snow covered. To the NW are the Santa Ritas (where we were riding 3 days ago) and they are snow covered . To the North are the Rincons (where we will be in a few days) and they are snow covered .
So today we went to see Win Bundy at The Singing Wind Bookstore near Benson . Quite an interesting place and interesting lady, you should go if you get a chance .
Something spooked the mules while we were gone, so Steve and Paula did Roundup, in the rain ! We had the mules picketed but the rain soft ground didn't hold the picket pins .
Hoping to get back on the Trail tomorrow . Diane
Not to worry family and friends !! We are snug and dry at Steve and Paula's, AGAIN ! They must be wondering if we will ever leave !! They have been so welcoming to us !!
The last two days the wind has been blowing hard, with rain, and some hail ..... We can see the Huachuca Mountains and they are snow covered. To the NW are the Santa Ritas (where we were riding 3 days ago) and they are snow covered . To the North are the Rincons (where we will be in a few days) and they are snow covered .
So today we went to see Win Bundy at The Singing Wind Bookstore near Benson . Quite an interesting place and interesting lady, you should go if you get a chance .
Something spooked the mules while we were gone, so Steve and Paula did Roundup, in the rain ! We had the mules picketed but the rain soft ground didn't hold the picket pins .
Hoping to get back on the Trail tomorrow . Diane
Monday, March 19th
First, I want to thank some people who have made our having and using these tech
no-toys possible. JOHN ZINKL helped us choose and order this laptop, and then he taught Dick the basics on how to use it. LEE PIERSON ordered and set up our GPS unit and taught me the basics of it's use; BILL GAVIN helped me and Ron learn how to use it on the trail .
Some bios on the cast of characters on this trip: We three humans are in our early to mid 60's.
Ron's mule, Rosie, is 13 years old, 15 hands,sorrel molly mule. My mule, Billy, is 7 years old, 14.2, sorrel john mule.
We also have with us our two dogs, Jane, and Jesse.
We're using Ron's rig ; a pickup and stock trailer; FULL of hay, kitchen, beds, tack, shower tent, tables, chairs, dogs, and sometimes mules .
Ron's family, Paula and Steve, let us stay at their place near Sonoita on the "staging night" of our trip. Nice people; nice place !! Thank You !!
Today's trail was through the Canelo Hills which were not very big hills but we were always going up or down ! The weather was sunny, not hot; a fine day to start our adventure ! We were on the trail about 6 hours to go 14.5 miles . When we were at the trailhead, there was a man who was also starting the trail, Richard from Sierra Vista. We were on the trail "with" him for the next two days; he was tough and not too far behind us each day.
Tuesday, March 20
More Canelo Hills but more rolling country with vistas of small grass covered valleys, windmills, grazing cattle . A red rock cliff with a rusted windmill in front of it. The new green of cottonwood trees. An open hillside of waist high pale yellow grass rippling in the wind. Whitetail deer flashing their tails as they bound up a wooded draw. Circling hawks flying with theis legs and tallons extended .
There was recent trail work done on both of these Canelo Hills passages; thank you Segment Stewards Zay Hartigan and Richard Corbett !!
Wednesday, March 21
Wow, what a day ! Wow, what a climb ! Over a shoulder of the Santa Rita Mountains.
Started out trailering out of Patagonia as far as we could (no road riding, please). Continued riding on this road but at this point it was in a pretty little riparian canyon with many placesof running water; cottonwoods leafing out. Black cattle; cut tiny calves; not so cute bulls.
And then the climb began, and went on, and on; steep and rocky. What had been a beautiful sunny morning began to turn into a WINDY ordeal. Glad to be riding those calm mules ! So on they struggle up the nountain. Clouds threw off the GPS readings (our average speed was faster than our top speed !) But not to fear, there is no other place to go but the trail; and on we go ! Top out, down the other side; how can it still be windy ? Starts to rain a little; put on the slickers in the wind; glad to riding these calm mules. Down in CasaBlanca Canyon there is a stream of beautiful clear water flowing past giant Sycamore trees. Farther down we see the ruins of a dam from the days of placer mining, and the trail is on the course of an old pipeline/ aguaduct for 2 1/2 miles ending at a tunnel through the mountain for the water to continue down the mountain to the placer mines . Rain has stopped. A few tricky places in the trail; glad to be riding these mules. Glad to see the trailer in the distance; glad to see Dick when we get there .
And SO GLAD for Paula and Steve to let us come back to their place and be out of the storm !!
First, I want to thank some people who have made our having and using these tech
no-toys possible. JOHN ZINKL helped us choose and order this laptop, and then he taught Dick the basics on how to use it. LEE PIERSON ordered and set up our GPS unit and taught me the basics of it's use; BILL GAVIN helped me and Ron learn how to use it on the trail .
Some bios on the cast of characters on this trip: We three humans are in our early to mid 60's.
Ron's mule, Rosie, is 13 years old, 15 hands,sorrel molly mule. My mule, Billy, is 7 years old, 14.2, sorrel john mule.
We also have with us our two dogs, Jane, and Jesse.
We're using Ron's rig ; a pickup and stock trailer; FULL of hay, kitchen, beds, tack, shower tent, tables, chairs, dogs, and sometimes mules .
Ron's family, Paula and Steve, let us stay at their place near Sonoita on the "staging night" of our trip. Nice people; nice place !! Thank You !!
Today's trail was through the Canelo Hills which were not very big hills but we were always going up or down ! The weather was sunny, not hot; a fine day to start our adventure ! We were on the trail about 6 hours to go 14.5 miles . When we were at the trailhead, there was a man who was also starting the trail, Richard from Sierra Vista. We were on the trail "with" him for the next two days; he was tough and not too far behind us each day.
Tuesday, March 20
More Canelo Hills but more rolling country with vistas of small grass covered valleys, windmills, grazing cattle . A red rock cliff with a rusted windmill in front of it. The new green of cottonwood trees. An open hillside of waist high pale yellow grass rippling in the wind. Whitetail deer flashing their tails as they bound up a wooded draw. Circling hawks flying with theis legs and tallons extended .
There was recent trail work done on both of these Canelo Hills passages; thank you Segment Stewards Zay Hartigan and Richard Corbett !!
Wednesday, March 21
Wow, what a day ! Wow, what a climb ! Over a shoulder of the Santa Rita Mountains.
Started out trailering out of Patagonia as far as we could (no road riding, please). Continued riding on this road but at this point it was in a pretty little riparian canyon with many placesof running water; cottonwoods leafing out. Black cattle; cut tiny calves; not so cute bulls.
And then the climb began, and went on, and on; steep and rocky. What had been a beautiful sunny morning began to turn into a WINDY ordeal. Glad to be riding those calm mules ! So on they struggle up the nountain. Clouds threw off the GPS readings (our average speed was faster than our top speed !) But not to fear, there is no other place to go but the trail; and on we go ! Top out, down the other side; how can it still be windy ? Starts to rain a little; put on the slickers in the wind; glad to riding these calm mules. Down in CasaBlanca Canyon there is a stream of beautiful clear water flowing past giant Sycamore trees. Farther down we see the ruins of a dam from the days of placer mining, and the trail is on the course of an old pipeline/ aguaduct for 2 1/2 miles ending at a tunnel through the mountain for the water to continue down the mountain to the placer mines . Rain has stopped. A few tricky places in the trail; glad to be riding these mules. Glad to see the trailer in the distance; glad to see Dick when we get there .
And SO GLAD for Paula and Steve to let us come back to their place and be out of the storm !!
March 21, 2007
Day Three. Patagonia to Gardner Trailhead.
We drove out to the trailhead about 6.5 miles from Patagonia. A good road to that point. Diane and Ron got the mules out and headed up the road toward Mt Wrighton. I went back to Patagonia bought a few supplies at the organic store and headed toward Sonita. The wind was picking up as I got closer. The clouds were building. The paper said chance of rain the next three days. Glad Paula and Steve have said it is okay to come back to their place. I drive out to Gardner Trailhead on Forest Road 92, another good road. As I sit there a mountain biker drives up and gets his bike set up and heads toward Kentucky Camp. Shortly thereafter a Mexican Vaquero is driving some cows and calves down the road to another pasture. He stops and we talk a little spanish and a little english. About an hour later he and his dog come back. By now the rain has started but it is not hard. About 2 o'clock I head down the trail hoping to run into Diane and Ron. I go about 2 miles and go past the penstock water canel system that a mining company built to get water uphill. Interesting design and it worked. The trail was in good condition and had several historical signs regarding mining, the penstock, Greaterville. At that point I turned around and headed back to the trailhead. About an hour later Diane leading and Ron riding appeared at camp with big smiles. A long tough day on two tough mules.
Posted by Richard Wertz
Day Three. Patagonia to Gardner Trailhead.
We drove out to the trailhead about 6.5 miles from Patagonia. A good road to that point. Diane and Ron got the mules out and headed up the road toward Mt Wrighton. I went back to Patagonia bought a few supplies at the organic store and headed toward Sonita. The wind was picking up as I got closer. The clouds were building. The paper said chance of rain the next three days. Glad Paula and Steve have said it is okay to come back to their place. I drive out to Gardner Trailhead on Forest Road 92, another good road. As I sit there a mountain biker drives up and gets his bike set up and heads toward Kentucky Camp. Shortly thereafter a Mexican Vaquero is driving some cows and calves down the road to another pasture. He stops and we talk a little spanish and a little english. About an hour later he and his dog come back. By now the rain has started but it is not hard. About 2 o'clock I head down the trail hoping to run into Diane and Ron. I go about 2 miles and go past the penstock water canel system that a mining company built to get water uphill. Interesting design and it worked. The trail was in good condition and had several historical signs regarding mining, the penstock, Greaterville. At that point I turned around and headed back to the trailhead. About an hour later Diane leading and Ron riding appeared at camp with big smiles. A long tough day on two tough mules.
Posted by Richard Wertz
March 19, 2007
Diane Wertz and Ron Silverthorn headed off to the west starting an adventure of a life time. Beginning at Parker Canyon Lake trailhead, they stopped to look down upon Parker Canyon Lake, a man made lake.
Looking to the east, the Huchuca Mountains stand majestically. But due to immigration issues and illegal immigration, that section of the AZT will be done later. Looking to the south, Mexico is but 10 miles away. Looking to the north, the ultimate destination of Utah is 800 miles away. To the west, Mt Wrighton and the Santa Ritas loom.
As I watch them ride to the west, there are awe inspiring views of the Canelo Hills segment of the AZT. The rolling grassy hills tucked under Oak tree woodlands are an unexpected sight in Arizona.
March 20, 2007
As Diane and Ron head west toward Patagonia unexpected delights are sure to happen. Red Rock Canyon hosts rare residents. Mitgrating birds sing and dance as they journey north from as far as South America to seek refuge in the riparian areas of Red Rock Canyon.
As "sag" driver on day two I left the Canelo Hills Trailhead at the Pass. I stopped at Ron's sister in law and brother in laws to refill water and ask about staying there if bad weather shows up on Wednesday-Thursday- Friday. They said that would be fine. Stopped at the feed store in Sonita for hay net and propane. New owners have really upgraded the store. They have good hay, propane, and was willing to give me water. Stopped at hardware store for a hacksaw to try and fix Ron's cot. Got gas $2.99 for diesel. Went across the street to the mini market for supplies. Finally, I headed for Patagonia and the cafe. I remember something better, but had a cup of coffee. I saw a health food store and headed there for asparagus, green beans, humus and bread. Nice store with lots of organic fruits and veggies. Also, ice cream and chocolate bars. Finally,I am off to set up camp at the trailhead on Harshaw Road. I waited awhile before setting up camp as some dark clouds came and then went. So part of the camp is set up. Shower tent is up because I know Diane and Ron will want showers. About 2 o'clock Diane and Ron show up.
Posted by Richard Wertz
Diane Wertz and Ron Silverthorn headed off to the west starting an adventure of a life time. Beginning at Parker Canyon Lake trailhead, they stopped to look down upon Parker Canyon Lake, a man made lake.
Looking to the east, the Huchuca Mountains stand majestically. But due to immigration issues and illegal immigration, that section of the AZT will be done later. Looking to the south, Mexico is but 10 miles away. Looking to the north, the ultimate destination of Utah is 800 miles away. To the west, Mt Wrighton and the Santa Ritas loom.
As I watch them ride to the west, there are awe inspiring views of the Canelo Hills segment of the AZT. The rolling grassy hills tucked under Oak tree woodlands are an unexpected sight in Arizona.
March 20, 2007
As Diane and Ron head west toward Patagonia unexpected delights are sure to happen. Red Rock Canyon hosts rare residents. Mitgrating birds sing and dance as they journey north from as far as South America to seek refuge in the riparian areas of Red Rock Canyon.
As "sag" driver on day two I left the Canelo Hills Trailhead at the Pass. I stopped at Ron's sister in law and brother in laws to refill water and ask about staying there if bad weather shows up on Wednesday-Thursday- Friday. They said that would be fine. Stopped at the feed store in Sonita for hay net and propane. New owners have really upgraded the store. They have good hay, propane, and was willing to give me water. Stopped at hardware store for a hacksaw to try and fix Ron's cot. Got gas $2.99 for diesel. Went across the street to the mini market for supplies. Finally, I headed for Patagonia and the cafe. I remember something better, but had a cup of coffee. I saw a health food store and headed there for asparagus, green beans, humus and bread. Nice store with lots of organic fruits and veggies. Also, ice cream and chocolate bars. Finally,I am off to set up camp at the trailhead on Harshaw Road. I waited awhile before setting up camp as some dark clouds came and then went. So part of the camp is set up. Shower tent is up because I know Diane and Ron will want showers. About 2 o'clock Diane and Ron show up.
Posted by Richard Wertz
AZT-Mules
On March 19,2007 Diane Wertz and Ron Silverthorn are going to start riding the AZT on mules.
http://azt-mules.blogspot.com/
http://azt-mules.blogspot.com/
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