We are having a little trouble with the photos this time because I put them on a disc and deleted them from the camera stick, so Dick has had to learn how to get to them in a new way .
Some comments to the blog have been that not everyone knows Arizona geography well enough to know where some of the places are that we have talked about in the blog . Thank you; a good point .
We started our trip at Parker Canyon Lake which is at the NW base of the Huachuca Mts. Sierra Vista ,on the Mexican border and in the eastern part of the state, would be the nearest town .
The two Canelo Hills passages go NW to the town of Patagonia .
From Patagonia we went over a SE shoulder of the Santa Rita Mts which are N of Patagonia .
We angled NE to a point on Highway 83 about halfway between the town of Sonoita and I-10.
Next, we started at Sahuarita Rd which is approximately 2 miles S of I-10 on Highway 83. We rode NNE, crossing under I-10 approximately 23 miles E of Tucson.
Then it was through Collosal Cave State Park and Sahuaro National Park East, east of Tucson.
We went over the Rincon Mts, east of Tucson, and across Reddington Pass which is the pass between the Rincon Mts and the Santa Catalina Mts
Prison Camp is on the Mt. Lemmon Highway, which is on the S side of the Santa Catalina Mts. The Santa Catalina Mts. (the Catalina's) are N of Tucson .
Oracle and American Flag Ranch Trailhead are at the N base of the Catalina's .
Now we will be riding to the Gila River; crossing at the very small community of Kelvin, a few miles downriver from the town of Kearny. These two towns are S of Superior which is E of Mesa/ Apache Junction .
Wednesday April 11th.
We are off at the crack of dawn, 5:30am heading back to Reddington Pass to start the second leg of this adventure. We had hoped to leave earlier but Ron's mule needed shoes and his farrier was on his honeymoon and did not get back until late Sunday. Thus, Rosie had to wait until Tuesday to get new shoes. The goal is to get to Picketpost before we take another break. Part of the trail over Mt Lemmon, near Tucson, is not passable for equestrians so a section of about 8 miles will be missed. But then on down Oracle Ridge to Tiger Mine to Freeman Road to Ripsey Ranch (ruins) to the Gila, thru White Canyon and Alamo Canyon to Picketpost. We will try to keep this updated as often as possible, but finding internet cafes in the desert is not easy.
Richard Wertz
Thursday, April 12
Reddington Rd. to Prison Camp on Mt. Lemmon
VERY windy this day . Ron and I agree that this passage was our favorite so far: rolling hills with interesting rock outcroppings, good trail, flowers (sego lilies, penstamon.Indian paintbrush,verbena, purple sage, and grass greening up nicely), good sized live oaks (and some dead oaks too), a few junipers . The Catalina Mountains loom larger and higher in front of us .
We had an intersting visitor at our camp in Reddington Pass.
Ron showed her the mules . I woke Dick up from a nap so that he wouldn't miss seeing her . You will know what I'm talking about when you see the pictures later in the blog .
The trail coming down into Molina Basin CG was challenging in places; steep steps, we got off the mules and led them .
Camp that night was at Prison Camp. It gets it's name from being the site of a Japanese American internment camp during WWII . The "prisoners" from this camp built the Mt. Lemmon Highway .
We were so glad to have corrals for the mules for the night . The corrals were built by County Line Riders of Catalina; Thank You !
Also at Prison Camp, we met Tom with his pack goats . (Purple Mountain Pack Goats , Tucson)
And that night it rained (and the wind blew hard). Next morning the weather was fogged in and still misting . We could see the snow level was about 500' above us . So, being smart people, we went to Claire's in Catalina for breakfast; and on to American Flag TH on the north base of the Catalina's where we made camp.
Friday the 13th
We spent the day drying out the camp things .
That night John and Gwen Rendall invited us to their home in Oracle for dinner and showers!!
Ron made the sacrifice of staying in camp to keep an eye on the mules; he also got to initiate the shower tent.
Saturday, April 14
Only 7 1/2 miles today. Before we left camp to ride, some other mule riders came to also ride the trail . So Billy and Rosie were really moving along, trying to catch up to the other mules . ( Now I know what Billy is able to do when motivated !)
John Rendall came to camp bringing us maps that he had printed from his computer .
A fact that I forgot to mention at the start of this trip, is that Billy is barefoot. I carry Easyboot Epics on my saddle and put them on him when I feel that he needs them . I have only put them on the front so far . They are only maybe halfway worn through . Rosie has gone through a set of shoes and is now into her second set . Ron and I are both amazed at how well Billy's feet are holding up through this much riding ! I can feel the difference in his better traction when he is barefoot.
Sunday, April 15
Yellowjacket Tank in Bloodsucker Wash to Freeman Rd.
Well, we thought we were starting at Yellowjacket Tank..... After 9 miles of searching we were on The Trail . We had erroneously started at another tank and were trying to make the trail discription fit what we were seeing but of course it wouldn't fit .
While searching, we saw a Great Horned owl on her nest in the arms of a giant saguaro cactus !
It was another WINDY day. ( At one point Ron said that he thought that the stampede string on his hat was going to garote him .)
We came onto the trail shortly before Beehive Windmill. What a picture it is . You first see it from the top of a ridge . It is in a sandstone canyon with lots of big mesquite trees in the bottom. The holding tank is about 60' across and 6' high ! It is made of rivoted steel plates which have rusted and so it looks very old and authentic, which it is of course .
Up on the ridges the hedgehog cactus were really starting into full bloom . Their magenta color was offset by the yellow of the prickly pear blossoms . The ocotillos were in full leaf and full bloom, waving in the wind24 miles in 8 1/2 hours .
We were glad to see Dick in Walter and Mary Francis's pickup .
Walter and Mary Frances are ranchers in the area, and they had seen Dick parked out on the road and stopped to see if he needed help. He was getting concered about Ron and me, so these good people drove him out in their truck to see if there were any mule tracks on the road/trail coming into Freeman Rd. They were going to stay out there with him til we showed up, or he decided that he needed to" get up a search party".
Monday, April 16
We took the morning off; enjoying the nice camp place that Walter and Mary Francis had told us about . Ron and I had threatened Dick with padlocking his tent zipper so that he would not be up before sunup rattling around in the "kitchen".
The mules were resting under some big mesquite trees. The dogs had found a ground squirrel burrow to dig; (More about the ground squirrel later .)
The day before we had had some problems with the trailer brakes and lights, and since it was still so windy, we decided to go to Wickenburg for repairs.
As we were driving home on I-8, we were encountering rain squalls so we brought the dogs into the truck . They were in the back seat with me . Jesse was very neurotic about it and I had to hold onto her to keep her from roaming all over the cab . Jane went to sleep . After a time, (I'm still wrestling Jesse) Jane, beside me, begins to wretch. She barfs up a long, fat, slimy thing . It is the ground squirrel ! Holding onto Jesse, I elbowed the electric window down, grabbed up the slimy, dead squirrel and threw it out the window .
We are off at the crack of dawn, 5:30am heading back to Reddington Pass to start the second leg of this adventure. We had hoped to leave earlier but Ron's mule needed shoes and his farrier was on his honeymoon and did not get back until late Sunday. Thus, Rosie had to wait until Tuesday to get new shoes. The goal is to get to Picketpost before we take another break. Part of the trail over Mt Lemmon, near Tucson, is not passable for equestrians so a section of about 8 miles will be missed. But then on down Oracle Ridge to Tiger Mine to Freeman Road to Ripsey Ranch (ruins) to the Gila, thru White Canyon and Alamo Canyon to Picketpost. We will try to keep this updated as often as possible, but finding internet cafes in the desert is not easy.
Richard Wertz
Thursday, April 12
Reddington Rd. to Prison Camp on Mt. Lemmon
VERY windy this day . Ron and I agree that this passage was our favorite so far: rolling hills with interesting rock outcroppings, good trail, flowers (sego lilies, penstamon.Indian paintbrush,verbena, purple sage, and grass greening up nicely), good sized live oaks (and some dead oaks too), a few junipers . The Catalina Mountains loom larger and higher in front of us .
We had an intersting visitor at our camp in Reddington Pass.
Ron showed her the mules . I woke Dick up from a nap so that he wouldn't miss seeing her . You will know what I'm talking about when you see the pictures later in the blog .
The trail coming down into Molina Basin CG was challenging in places; steep steps, we got off the mules and led them .
Camp that night was at Prison Camp. It gets it's name from being the site of a Japanese American internment camp during WWII . The "prisoners" from this camp built the Mt. Lemmon Highway .
We were so glad to have corrals for the mules for the night . The corrals were built by County Line Riders of Catalina; Thank You !
Also at Prison Camp, we met Tom with his pack goats . (Purple Mountain Pack Goats , Tucson)
And that night it rained (and the wind blew hard). Next morning the weather was fogged in and still misting . We could see the snow level was about 500' above us . So, being smart people, we went to Claire's in Catalina for breakfast; and on to American Flag TH on the north base of the Catalina's where we made camp.
Friday the 13th
We spent the day drying out the camp things .
That night John and Gwen Rendall invited us to their home in Oracle for dinner and showers!!
Ron made the sacrifice of staying in camp to keep an eye on the mules; he also got to initiate the shower tent.
Saturday, April 14
Only 7 1/2 miles today. Before we left camp to ride, some other mule riders came to also ride the trail . So Billy and Rosie were really moving along, trying to catch up to the other mules . ( Now I know what Billy is able to do when motivated !)
John Rendall came to camp bringing us maps that he had printed from his computer .
A fact that I forgot to mention at the start of this trip, is that Billy is barefoot. I carry Easyboot Epics on my saddle and put them on him when I feel that he needs them . I have only put them on the front so far . They are only maybe halfway worn through . Rosie has gone through a set of shoes and is now into her second set . Ron and I are both amazed at how well Billy's feet are holding up through this much riding ! I can feel the difference in his better traction when he is barefoot.
Sunday, April 15
Yellowjacket Tank in Bloodsucker Wash to Freeman Rd.
Well, we thought we were starting at Yellowjacket Tank..... After 9 miles of searching we were on The Trail . We had erroneously started at another tank and were trying to make the trail discription fit what we were seeing but of course it wouldn't fit .
While searching, we saw a Great Horned owl on her nest in the arms of a giant saguaro cactus !
It was another WINDY day. ( At one point Ron said that he thought that the stampede string on his hat was going to garote him .)
We came onto the trail shortly before Beehive Windmill. What a picture it is . You first see it from the top of a ridge . It is in a sandstone canyon with lots of big mesquite trees in the bottom. The holding tank is about 60' across and 6' high ! It is made of rivoted steel plates which have rusted and so it looks very old and authentic, which it is of course .
Up on the ridges the hedgehog cactus were really starting into full bloom . Their magenta color was offset by the yellow of the prickly pear blossoms . The ocotillos were in full leaf and full bloom, waving in the wind24 miles in 8 1/2 hours .
We were glad to see Dick in Walter and Mary Francis's pickup .
Walter and Mary Frances are ranchers in the area, and they had seen Dick parked out on the road and stopped to see if he needed help. He was getting concered about Ron and me, so these good people drove him out in their truck to see if there were any mule tracks on the road/trail coming into Freeman Rd. They were going to stay out there with him til we showed up, or he decided that he needed to" get up a search party".
Monday, April 16
We took the morning off; enjoying the nice camp place that Walter and Mary Francis had told us about . Ron and I had threatened Dick with padlocking his tent zipper so that he would not be up before sunup rattling around in the "kitchen".
The mules were resting under some big mesquite trees. The dogs had found a ground squirrel burrow to dig; (More about the ground squirrel later .)
The day before we had had some problems with the trailer brakes and lights, and since it was still so windy, we decided to go to Wickenburg for repairs.
As we were driving home on I-8, we were encountering rain squalls so we brought the dogs into the truck . They were in the back seat with me . Jesse was very neurotic about it and I had to hold onto her to keep her from roaming all over the cab . Jane went to sleep . After a time, (I'm still wrestling Jesse) Jane, beside me, begins to wretch. She barfs up a long, fat, slimy thing . It is the ground squirrel ! Holding onto Jesse, I elbowed the electric window down, grabbed up the slimy, dead squirrel and threw it out the window .
Thursday, March 29
The Rincons
They look like a gentle, softly rounded mountain. But....
The equestrian trail statrs at Turkey Creek TH on the SE side of the mountains. It starts gently up a grass covered ridge (10 mule deer). The rising sun highlights the hills and valleys below us . A trail crew had been camped at the TH, and they had done a good job of clearing brush and cleaning water bars . The grades were good, with switchbacks . Several places had been consrtucted with solid granite steps cut and placed in the tread ! The initial climb topped out at 6900'. Camp had been 4100'.
On top, there were aspens ( nowhere near leafing out), small snowfields, clear little streams crossing the trail. The trail intersections were well marked . Glorious views back south to the Santa Ritas where we were last week . Douglas fir trees say that we are in the Canadian Zone. High point on the trail according to our GPS is 8600'
Down the other side (north). There had obviouly been a fire here in the last year or so . So we didn't have to deal with any brush . But erosion had taken it's toll on the trail; gullyed to a V in many places, and rocks had washed into the trail too . Tricky in some places; glad I was on a mule ! Really glad to get to the bottom and a beautiful clear stream with cottonwoods in their new leaves . Ron saw a mountain lion !! By the time I had turned in the saddle to see it, it was out of sight .
Then the trail gently follows the contours of the land for 3 miles before intersecting the Reddington Pass road where Dick was waiting with the trailer ( a very welcome sight). 10 hours since we had left camp that morning.
We trailered to Catalina State Park (a 2 hour drive across Tucson) so that the mules could be loose in corrals to rest better than being tied to the trailer . Subway sandwiches for dinner .
Friday, March 30
Claire's Cafe in Catalina for breakfast. Lightest, tenderest biscuits ever, according to Ron.
Ron has some unusual, interesting, and funny country music CD's.
Going home. Jesse is riding in the bed of the pickup, eyeballing each car as they go by; the other drivers and passengers are getting a kick out of it .
Jane is asleep on my lap (and on the mound of jackets, shirts, bags, etc.) in the back seat.
Dick's driving.
Headed down the highway toward home, with our dogs, our mules, good memories, and country music.......
The Rincons
They look like a gentle, softly rounded mountain. But....
The equestrian trail statrs at Turkey Creek TH on the SE side of the mountains. It starts gently up a grass covered ridge (10 mule deer). The rising sun highlights the hills and valleys below us . A trail crew had been camped at the TH, and they had done a good job of clearing brush and cleaning water bars . The grades were good, with switchbacks . Several places had been consrtucted with solid granite steps cut and placed in the tread ! The initial climb topped out at 6900'. Camp had been 4100'.
On top, there were aspens ( nowhere near leafing out), small snowfields, clear little streams crossing the trail. The trail intersections were well marked . Glorious views back south to the Santa Ritas where we were last week . Douglas fir trees say that we are in the Canadian Zone. High point on the trail according to our GPS is 8600'
Down the other side (north). There had obviouly been a fire here in the last year or so . So we didn't have to deal with any brush . But erosion had taken it's toll on the trail; gullyed to a V in many places, and rocks had washed into the trail too . Tricky in some places; glad I was on a mule ! Really glad to get to the bottom and a beautiful clear stream with cottonwoods in their new leaves . Ron saw a mountain lion !! By the time I had turned in the saddle to see it, it was out of sight .
Then the trail gently follows the contours of the land for 3 miles before intersecting the Reddington Pass road where Dick was waiting with the trailer ( a very welcome sight). 10 hours since we had left camp that morning.
We trailered to Catalina State Park (a 2 hour drive across Tucson) so that the mules could be loose in corrals to rest better than being tied to the trailer . Subway sandwiches for dinner .
Friday, March 30
Claire's Cafe in Catalina for breakfast. Lightest, tenderest biscuits ever, according to Ron.
Ron has some unusual, interesting, and funny country music CD's.
Going home. Jesse is riding in the bed of the pickup, eyeballing each car as they go by; the other drivers and passengers are getting a kick out of it .
Jane is asleep on my lap (and on the mound of jackets, shirts, bags, etc.) in the back seat.
Dick's driving.
Headed down the highway toward home, with our dogs, our mules, good memories, and country music.......
A recap of the first leg of the AZT-Mule trek on the Arizona Trail
Generally, the access points in the Official Guidebook of the Arizona Trail have been very helpful. The directions to and conditions of the roads to the Parker Canyon Lake TH, the Canelo Pass TH, the Harshaw Road TH, the Temporal Gulch TH, the Gardner TH, the AZ Route 83 Closed gate, and the Sahuarita Rd TH, and the Camino Loma Alta Road were well represented by the book.
The Turkey Creek Trailhead is not mentioned in the guide book. It is reached by exiting I-10 at exit 297 and proceeding north about 17 miles on Forest Road 35. This road is a typical dirt road-some good, some bad, some wash boards. But generally, it is a good road if you take it easy. We pulled a four horse stock trailer with no problem.
The Reddington Pass Road was in excellent condition. Fortunately for us, the grader had recently been there. There were some narrow places and one must proceed with care. Also, the people who drive the road apparently feel they are the only ones on it. So drive slow and be carefully on the curves.
Generally, the trail was in excellent condition. However, there is no access from the Arizona Trail to the Hope Cap Trail in Sahuaro National Park. There is a fence that blocks equestrian access. Also. there is no trail from Hope Camp to Turkey Creek. The Park does not want people or equestrians bushwacking to Madrona Ranger Station. This results in about a 60 miles drive from Camino Loma Alta Road to the Turkey Creek Trailhead. Sometime in the future that missing trail link must be addressed.
.
As camp cook I have had no complaints but some suggestions. Maybe they are fearful of the old adage that if you complain about the cooking you become the cook. As a result, when moose turd pie is served for dessert, the recipients just marvel at how good it tastes.
As the sag crew of one, I have had the opportunity to meet some nice people who have helped me in getting supplies, water, and directions. The people at Sahuaro National Park were very helpful in giving me directions to Turkey Creek TH and the trails in the park that make up the Arizona Trail. They also provided me with access to water which is very important when taking care of two mules.
The trail stewards that we contacted after a frustrating time from I-10 to Hope Camp made the next segments more enjoyable for the riders and the cook. I want to thank Richard Kane for his help; Mark Flint for his work on the trail. There does need to be better signage for equestrian bypasses around restricted areas, such as the Cienaga Riparian area near Three Bridges and Marsh Station Road, north of I-10.
I also want equestrians to be aware of the Vail Feed Store. They provided water. They also have hay, pellets, and any other needs for the equine.
Finally, I want to thank Diane and Ron for their support of the camp boss. They come in after 7-10 hours of riding some difficult trail and they go right to work taking care of their mules. Then, and only then, do they sit down and enjoy a cool soda and some appetizers. They have been a pleasure to work with. In the morning, they break down their sleeping quarters and get everything packed up and ready for me to load into the trailer. They eat a good breakfast, make their lunches and off they go.
The next leg of the trip will begin April 9th. The goal is to go another 2 weeks before taking a week off. It has been fun.
Richard Wertz- "sag"
Generally, the access points in the Official Guidebook of the Arizona Trail have been very helpful. The directions to and conditions of the roads to the Parker Canyon Lake TH, the Canelo Pass TH, the Harshaw Road TH, the Temporal Gulch TH, the Gardner TH, the AZ Route 83 Closed gate, and the Sahuarita Rd TH, and the Camino Loma Alta Road were well represented by the book.
The Turkey Creek Trailhead is not mentioned in the guide book. It is reached by exiting I-10 at exit 297 and proceeding north about 17 miles on Forest Road 35. This road is a typical dirt road-some good, some bad, some wash boards. But generally, it is a good road if you take it easy. We pulled a four horse stock trailer with no problem.
The Reddington Pass Road was in excellent condition. Fortunately for us, the grader had recently been there. There were some narrow places and one must proceed with care. Also, the people who drive the road apparently feel they are the only ones on it. So drive slow and be carefully on the curves.
Generally, the trail was in excellent condition. However, there is no access from the Arizona Trail to the Hope Cap Trail in Sahuaro National Park. There is a fence that blocks equestrian access. Also. there is no trail from Hope Camp to Turkey Creek. The Park does not want people or equestrians bushwacking to Madrona Ranger Station. This results in about a 60 miles drive from Camino Loma Alta Road to the Turkey Creek Trailhead. Sometime in the future that missing trail link must be addressed.
.
As camp cook I have had no complaints but some suggestions. Maybe they are fearful of the old adage that if you complain about the cooking you become the cook. As a result, when moose turd pie is served for dessert, the recipients just marvel at how good it tastes.
As the sag crew of one, I have had the opportunity to meet some nice people who have helped me in getting supplies, water, and directions. The people at Sahuaro National Park were very helpful in giving me directions to Turkey Creek TH and the trails in the park that make up the Arizona Trail. They also provided me with access to water which is very important when taking care of two mules.
The trail stewards that we contacted after a frustrating time from I-10 to Hope Camp made the next segments more enjoyable for the riders and the cook. I want to thank Richard Kane for his help; Mark Flint for his work on the trail. There does need to be better signage for equestrian bypasses around restricted areas, such as the Cienaga Riparian area near Three Bridges and Marsh Station Road, north of I-10.
I also want equestrians to be aware of the Vail Feed Store. They provided water. They also have hay, pellets, and any other needs for the equine.
Finally, I want to thank Diane and Ron for their support of the camp boss. They come in after 7-10 hours of riding some difficult trail and they go right to work taking care of their mules. Then, and only then, do they sit down and enjoy a cool soda and some appetizers. They have been a pleasure to work with. In the morning, they break down their sleeping quarters and get everything packed up and ready for me to load into the trailer. They eat a good breakfast, make their lunches and off they go.
The next leg of the trip will begin April 9th. The goal is to go another 2 weeks before taking a week off. It has been fun.
Richard Wertz- "sag"
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