AZT-Mules

May 11, '08 Twin Buttes TH to Pine TH

2008-09-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

(Click on photos to enlarge them .)

Not much to say about this segment; a lot of flat, rocky road through a pinyon - juniper forest . I did see a few deer .

Going down into Oak Spring Canyon was interesting . The trail was steep, but not dangerous . The vegetation changed to oak trees, and then cottonwoods and sycamores in the bottom . Near the bottom of the canyon was a small meadow .

Billy enjoyed the grass in the meadow .

At the bottom of the canyon

The riparian area of Oak Spring

An old water trough at Oak Spring

Climbing out of Oak Spring Canyon we saw a few more deer .

A mile or two after leaving the canyon the trail comes onto an old, unused road and passes a water pond .

No water in Pine Creek .

Now close to Pine, there are some residences near the trail .

Cross AZ Highway 87 and within 1/2 mile we were at Pine TH .

Reaching Pine TH comes to where Debbie Zinkl and I started riding last summer on our ride from Pine to Flagstaff . That adventure is also in the blog; look for Debbie's name in the blog list .

May 10, '08 Doll Baby TH to Twin Buttes TH / Hardscrabble Mesadscrabbl

2008-09-20T16:14:00.000-07:00

(Click on a photo to enlarge it .)

Our camp was very near the East Verde River . Mature cottonwood trees and walnut trees gave much, cool shade ! But there were annoying gnats . Dick pulled his T-shirt up over his head so that his face was looking out the neck hole . Looked funny but was effective, so I did it too .

We could hear the gurgle of the shallow "river"; it was about ankle deep to knee deep .

East Verde River

the "river"

The first few miles of this segment follows a road into the LF Ranch; a ranch inside the Matzatzal Wilderness . The road climbs over a ridge where, from the top, it is possible to see the ranch to the west, and our camp from last night to the east .

LF Ranch

Looking back east toward last night's camp

First look at the LF

Looked to be an old ranch; wish I knew some of it's history ....

There were about a half dozen horses and a half dozen mules in the corral .
(enlarge this and read the sign .)

They were very curious about us too .

East Verde river crossing at the LF Ranch

Looking back across the river toward the LF Ranch

Gate into Polk Spring

Polk Spring is in a hilly country of ocotillos, prickly pear cactus, and juniper trees . Seeing a spring in such country was quite a surprise . Another surprise here, was a jungle of fig trees ! But the biggest surprise was ........ rose bushes, big ones !

Rose bushes at Polk Spring

Roses at Polk Spring . I wonder what the history is about this place ...?
A woman must have lived here; but I saw no remaining evidence of a house, or any structure .

A last look back at the LF Ranch and the Matzatzal Mountains .

Whiterock Spring, at the base of Whiterock Mesa

Beautiful, clear water at Whiterock Spring

These oddly shaped rocks on Whiterock Mesa looked like bones .

A cairn of "bone rocks"

They don't call it Hardscrabble Mesa for nothing ! *#~/^`* !!

Twin Buttes TH on Hardscrabble Mesa
This was the best, and only, shade tree anywhere nearby .

Jane found an elk legbone while waiting for Billy and me to get into camp .

Billy DESERVED a treat after all those *^#~/` rocks

This young bull wanted Billy's hay .

But "Matador Ricardo" drove him away .

Right after this photo, the bull attacked the small bush you can see behind Dick . While continuously sounding a low , rumbling bawl, he butted and pawed the bush to nothing left of it .

He never came back .

May 7 '08 Roosevelt Bridge: out & back

2008-07-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

( Click on a photo to enlarge it to full screen.)

From Frazier Horse Camp we trailered to the north end of the Roosevelt Lake bridge. Just me and Billy McGee again on the trail.

Roosevelt Lake bridge . We did NOT ride across the bridge .

An opportunity for an off-side mount

The Vineyard Trail starts right across the road from the parking area and goes up through an area that was the first camp used by the workmen building the original Roosevelt Dam.

The huge vista of Roosevelt Lake opens up, with the Sierra Anchas in the background .

Another magnificent view (but I can't remember if it's Apache Lake or Roosevelt ....)

As the trail crests the ridge, narrow Apache Lake comes into view. The twisting roadbed of the Apache Trail (AZ 88) is seen on the opposite side of the lake.

We saw another gila monster in the trail. It was in no hurry. When it finally moved off under a prickly pear cactus, Billy moved ahead. The gila monster hissed; that startled us; Billy flinched and so did I .

One of the sidehill traverses has 3 crossings of talus slope. The shifting rocks under Billy’s feet were a little unsettling on the first one but by the time we had done the third one we were feeling confident.

Mill Ridge TH was lunch and the turnaround point. Everyone I had talked to said that from there on across the shoulder of Four Peaks the trail was very overgrown with heavy brush. I didn’t want to fight that, so I just went to Mill Ridge TH . I will do Four Peaks another time, when it is cleared .

Four Peaks, from the southeast

On the way back, as we were coming across the head of a canyon that comes steeply up out of Apache Lake. There were turkey vultures working the thermals rising out of the canyon. They swept across the hillside below us, barely clearing the tops of the bushes. Eventually they would gain enough altitude to shoot over the top of the ridge and be gone. A pair of red-tail hawks flew through the vulture squadron, kreee-kreeing as they went.

As we were coming very slowly down the steep road/trail back toward the bridge, I saw Dick (the truck and trailer) come across the bridge. He was waiting with a cold A&W for me when I came off the trail !

May 8 '08 Cross F TH south to Sycamore Cr. Crossing

2008-07-05T15:36:00.000-07:00

As Bushnell Tanks TH is now closed to all vehicular traffic, and there is not even a horse gate to give access to riders, we camped at the trailhead near the Cross F Ranch on the old section of AZ 87 that travels along Sycamore Creek near Sunflower .

This camp area is very near the creek, with big sycamore trees shading it. At night when the breeze and the birds quiet down, the gurgle of the creek is a nice accompaniment to the soft sounds of the campfire .

A big Arizona Trail sign is along the road just above the campsite. Across the road is the spur trail that leads to the AZT.

Initially the trail is easy to follow, to a gate. Beyond the gate there are cattle trails everywhere!! When we were there the Cross F ranch had just finished branding the new calves. Momma cows and their calves were all over this area. The cows were very tame and unafraid of us so Billy had to go right up to them before they would move over and let us pass.

I did put up some cairns but the cows may inadvertently knock them down, so my advice to future travelers in this area is to go west until you come to the creekbed, and then stay on the east side of the creek as you go north until the trail becomes identifiable again.

The creek was pretty, with clear water flowing under the big juniper trees that hung over the banks. There were big hackberry trees too, and some stunted sycamores .

The trail climbs up into red rimrock type of country where it joins the AZT .

An unusual barrel cactus

I turned left, south, and headed toward Sunflower.

The trail in this area is singletrack for a mile or more and then it joins a seldom used 2 track which eventually travels along the western edge of some very nice homes with pastures and horses.

Clear water moving over solid rock

After passing through two gates, and approaching another one, we saw loose horses ahead. Loose horses usually are at least inquisitive, hopefully not aggressive, toward another horse (or mule) that comes into their view.

I dismounted, because I could be more aggressive toward these other horses if need be, while still keeping control of Billy. There was no trouble, but I did have to drive them away several times.

After going through one of the flimsiest (is that a word?) gates I’ve ever seen, we went under the two double lanes of AZ 87 and came out immediately west of the buildings at Sunflower.

From here on south, until it crosses Sycamore Creek, the trail is all newly constructed

Milage markers hung on a burned juniper

. Well up on the hillside, the view is east, down into the extensive riparian area along the creek. There are so many trees down there that I could hear the wind blowing through them from way up on the hillside where I stopped for lunch. There is a constant twinkle of sunlight on water as it is glimpsed through the trees.

Sycamore Creek as seen from the trail

The trail works it’s way down with gentle grades to a crossing of the creek; watercress and willows in the creek.

Looking upstream from the crossing

The creek crossing was my turnaround point. I decided to go back to Sunflower by following the old roads along the west side of the creek. It was good! An occasional creek crossing, but mostly shuffling through the old sycamore leaves from last year, and passing under the spreading arms of the huge old trees themselves. I think I’ve mentioned that I like the smell of sycamore leaves!

Backtracking under the highway, dealing with the loose horses again, some confusion at a cattle tank, slowly moving through the momma cows and their babies, building a few more cairns, and we were back. A day of easy terrain, some challenges; altogether good .

May 6,'08 2 Bar Ridge TH to Frazier TH

2008-06-23T18:13:00.000-07:00

We started this ride near Black Brush Ranch . Black Brush Ranch, 2 Bar Ridge TH, and Frazier TH are all on the south side of Roosevelt Lake, between the lake and the Superstition Mountains .

Corral at the gate to Black Brush Ranch

Across from the corrals is the road leading to 2 Bar Ridge TH

Looking down at the east end of Roosevelt Lake

This day's ride would be down-stream through Cottonwood Canyon (I wonder how many Cottonwood Canyons there are in the Southwest. ) which had sustained significant flood damage last year . There was a sign stating that the trail was not recommended for horses . We knew about this warning, so Dick waited for me to call him before he moved camp, in case Billy and I couldn't get through . Billy and I were solo again .

Upper part of Cottonwood Canyon

Yes, there were some difficult places, but a barefoot mule can do difficult things . I did get off a number of times to be safe, and to make it easier for Billy .

Water was flowing and gurgling into small pools . The cottonwoods and the sycamores are tall in this little canyon . And there are grapevines . A cool and quiet place .

middle Cottonwood Canyon

It is a small canyon; the walls are nearly always visable

I love sycamore trees . Have you ever taken one of the leaves and inhaled it's smell? Very distinctive aroma .

I had been in this canyon before, so I knew when we were getting toward the end of the riparian

section . The canyon held one last challenge .

We came to a point on the trail where it dropped straight down off of an undercut bank; about a 3 1/2 to 4 foot dropoff with flood debris at the bottom . No way around it . We had come so far, mastered so many challenges, I didn't want to go back . The stream bed was choked with dead trees, brush, small boulders; no way to get through it .

Pushing and crashing through live and dead brush to the other bank, I scouted that bank for a possible way out, and around this impassable section of creek . It looked like maybe we could do it, if Billy would follow me . I broke down as much brush as I could, and on my hands and knees, got part way up the hillside . The dirt was dry and loose; 2 steps up and 1 back . "Let's try it; Come on Billy !" He came on; sliding sideways downhill; scrambling ..... trying so hard for me !

We got up to a little crest that then went down into the next sidewash . I found a game trail leading back down into the creek . It was very brushy, but do-able . But now we were again faced with a dropoff of 4 feet with flood debris at the base of it . I could see the nice sandy trail about 10 feet out from the base of this bank.

I thought that maybe I could break down the bank enough for Billy to get down if I sat down and slid off the bank , taking as much of it with me as possible . So I did that, and asked Billy to "Come on down!" And he did . Part way down he seemed to realize that his best option was to jump . He sailed past my face and landed in the trail ! And calmly started eating the grass there . I love this mule .

Shortly after that, we were out of the canyon and onto the little Forest Service road leading to the junction with the trail to Frazier TH .

Roosevelt Lake, after leaving Cottonwood Canyon

Another crested saguaro !

close-up

The marina at Roosevelt Lake, as seen from the F.S. road leading to the junction with Frazier TH

Trail leading to Frazier TH

Frazier Horse Camp, across the highway from Frazier TH
Very close to the shore of Roosevelt Lake

Me and my pals
Photo taken by my best pal, Dick

April 24,'08 Superstitions; Rogers Trough to 2 Bar TH

2008-06-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

Rogers Trough, where we started this days ride, is on the SE edge of the Superstition Wilderness .
Unknowing that I was starting the toughest ride of the whole trail so far, I started off at 7:15 in the morning, just as the sun was entering the mountains .

We'll sign the trail register and be ready to go .

Here we go, Billy .

Following a creek down from Rogers Trough, the trail was easy to follow but not always easy to get through . There were a number of rocky step/jump downs, and some fairly heavy brush overhanging the trail in places . But the morning was glorious and I was enjoying being out on the trail .

A pool in the creek just down from the trailhead, the morning sun has not quite arrived here .

After turning up Grave Creek the going became a little more difficult, brushier and rockier . There was clear water flowing in the creek and yellow monkey flowers along the banks .

The climb up to Reavis Pass was often narrow, but the brush was so thick that it would have been difficult to fall very far off the trail . I was glad that I was not leading a pack horse as it would have been hard work to drag a wide pack through that brush . At Reavis Pass there were three or four logs in a clearing; just right for sitting on and taking a rest . (How did they get there ?)

The trail down Reavis Creek toward Reavis Ranch was in and out of ponderosa pine and huge alligater juniper; shady and cool . Access to water in many places in the creek kept Billy hydrated and happy .

I got off of Billy at this log . I climbed over and asked him to come along . He hopped right over it . I love this mule .

This huge,huge old juniper is right next to the trail as you enter the meadows near Reavis Ranch.
T

All that remains of the ranch house at Reavis Ranch
A

Remains of a loading chute at Reavis Ranch

Another look at the loading chute

The route of the old road that used to come up to the ranch passes along this old pasture and corral area, as well as along the old orchards . This road is now the trail through this area and on into the ranch house site .

The famous apple orchards at Reavis Ranch

Although these trees are never pruned,as you can see, they still produce fruit and people hike up to the ranch to pick it . The trail up from the north side of the mountains is the old road, so it is easier than the trail from Rogers Trough .

From the meadows at Reavis the AZT turns abruptly east, crossing Reavis Creek for the last time, and angling up a stairstep rock bluff . Then on and on over very rocky trails; to imagine the size of rocks think: size of your fist to size of your head, and then some small boulders . But the scenery was wonderful ! Boulder outcroppings, vistas across small canyons with sycamores in the drainages, yuccas blooming, Indian paintbrush, the scent of pinyon pine warmed by the sun ....

And then at Pine Creek, I came upon a camper. A woman alone who had backpacked in and was planning to stay a few days . Pine creek, on the Arizona Trail, is quite remote ! I stopped and talked to her a little while . She was having some trouble with her knee so she was going to rest another day and then take her last ibuprofin and hike out the next day . I had 3 ibuprofin with me so I gave her 2 of them . We exchanged email addresses and I went on down to the creek to let Billy get a drink before we went on . Somehow in our surprise to see anyone else out there, we each forgot to take any photos !

I was beginning to be concerned about the time, so I did not stop for many more pictures .

Walnut Spring (if you can find the water))

The trail went on and on; over ridges and down into drainages; no more water for Billy . We are now 9 hours into the ride .

Up one side and down the other, over the ridges....... great views down north-facing canyons, Apache Lake to the northwest, now Roosevelt Lake to the northeast........... maybe I'm finally on 2 Bar Ridge ?!..... but it goes on and on ........11 hours into the ride .

I was getting concerned that Billy would get too tired, so I began to "tail" up the hills (hold onto his tail and let him pull me up the hills instead of him carrying me up the hills) and led him down the hills . (After I saw how well he recovered from this days work, I know that he did not need this help .) I also took the bit out of his mouth so that he could more easily grab bites of grass without stopping - it had been a long time since "breakfast" . Steering suffered a bit from this arrangement but we managed to get along alright .

Thank goodness we had the satellite phones so I could call Dick in camp and let him know where I was on an hourly basis . But for some reason I was unable to reach him for 2 hours, and it was getting late in the day, so he called Search and Rescue . I was able to get through to him in the next hour, so he canceled Search and Rescue .

The sun was going down; I was still on 2 Bar Ridge . I was well enough prepared that if I had to spend the night out on the trail I knew that I would be okay......but I would rather not do that .

We came onto an old roadbed traversing a side-hill; must be close now ? Around the side of the hill and YES!, the Wilderness Boundry marker ! But no AZT signs to tell me which of the two road options to take . Sense of direction tells me to go east . " T" into another road; it's almost dark; keep going east . I see a hill I recognize from our scouting of the area and I knew we were going to make it into camp that night .

I called Dick again; get the hors d'oeuvres ready, we are almost there ! As I rode into camp I could no longer see the ground from Billy's back . 13 hours on the trail - my personal best (or worst?) .

Camp, the next morning

Me and Jane

The next morning Billy looked like he had not been anywhere ! I, however, had had enough for a while, so we went home .

April 23,'08 Picketpost TH to Rogers Trough TH

2008-06-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

X

Billy and I are going solo now . I know the first day of this trip very well because Dick and I are Segment Stewards of the north half of what I will ride today (Reavis Trail Canyon).

Starting at Picketpost TH near the town of Superior, the trail crosses under, the now 4 lane, US Highway 60 and soon crosses Queen Creek .

Crossing over the unused railroad tracks from Superior's mining days, the trail is not far from the old cemetery where Wyatt Earp's wife Matty is buried . (Her grave is prominently marked, IF you can find the cemetery .)

Following a long ridge northward, the town of Superior is slowly revealed below and to the southeast . The trail is rocky but well defined with easy grades .

Still many blooms at these lower elevations

Lots of fruits on the wolfberry shrubs

Picketpost Mountain is fading away to the south as we go on.....

Now it has almost disappeared

This line shack has been the staging point for many trail work events on the Reavis Canyon Trail section of the AZT .

Huge tamarisk trees grow beside the corral at the line shack
Billy is checking to see if he might get lucky and find some feed in the old trough .

The view of the line shack from the trail

I would like to be here at blooming time to see the flowers on the tip of the arm on the ground !

How about this one, with the "crest" in it's center ?

On we go .....

Saguaro cactus and sycamore tree in Reavis Trail Canyon

After the easy, gentle climb up through Reavis Trail Canyon, crossing the stream many times, and riding in the shade of the sycamore trees, it's time to "pay the piper"; Montana Mountain ! After interminable, steep switchbacks the trail tops out at approx. 5500 feet, about 2600 feet higher than Superior . Whew ! Poor Billy!

Poor Billy almost to the top (looking east)

Forest Road 650 looked pretty good after that climb . A couple of miles on the road, walking in the shade of huge juniper trees, and we were in camp .

Billy at the hitch rail at Rogers Trough

Our camp at Rogers Trough

At this camp, in the evening, the dogs got "skunked". They had never seen a skunk and were fascinated by this slow, waddling little creature . We convinced it to move on, with some well targeted rocks . The dogs wanted sympathy from us but got " Don't come over near ME !" . The next day they had to ride in the back of the truck, instead of inside like the little princesses that they are .

April 13, 2008 Battleaxe Rd. to Picketpost TH

2008-06-21T17:43:00.000-07:00

We trailered to Battleaxe Road to start our next ride . There is a section between there and the Gila River that is not yet finished, but a big trail building project is scheduled for next fall . It is spectacular country, so I am really looking forward to coming back and riding it !

Battleaxe Rd. goes west off of AZ highway 177, which goes from Superior south to the communities along the Gila River .

On Battleaxe Road there is a set of corrals very near where the road begins to drop down into the canyons . It is not a good campsite for people but the mules loved having a corral, after being tied to the trailer on every other camping night . So we kicked rocks out of the way and set up our camp.

Can you see two mules in this corral?

Morning sun coming into the White Canyon Wilderness, as seen from our camp .

Yes, camp was close to the road .
Again, morning sun on the mountains

Dick in his kitchen; ready to start breakfast

Our beloved cook and camp wrangler !

Diane on Billy and Corrine on Rosie; ready to go

More water here than I've ever seen, clear and flowing; a delight in the desert !

Corinne and Rosie (and cottonwoods and saguaros)

A rest, after negotiating the White Canyon Wilderness

After some road-riding, we decided to head down this wash .

We both "felt" that this was the direction that we needed to go, and we were right . After being in this pretty little wash for a while. we noticed the newly built AZT right above us on the hillside !

We also had lunch in this wash, where there was some flowing water . We let the mules graze while we ate . Billy decided that he would head on back . Some scrambling up through the rocky wash by his rider, and he was captured . Rosie didn't care a bit that he left; she just kept grazing .

We saw four Gila Monsters on this day (and a rattlesnake that Billy stepped on) This guy, or gal. was quite unconcerned with our being near . Corinne got quite a few pictures of this one as it seemed to want to pose at every step . We also saw a collared lizard in it's brilliant, day glow turquoise mating color .

On the newly constructed AZT; good wide tread and easy grades .

Corinne and Rosie on a hillside of brittlebush

Diane and Billy and Picketpost Mountain

Picketpost Mountain; SW of Superior

April 12, 2008 Rest day in small wash near Kelvin

2008-06-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

This was our rest day . The mules didn't seem to need it , but we humans did !

We needed another bale of hay, so Dick and I went into Kearny to get some and to get some people supplies too . Corinne volunteered to stay in camp to babysit the mules and dogs .

That job turned out to be more than anyone would have thought it would be ! After a few hours the mules seemed to get bored, and like little kids, began looking for trouble to get into .... Corinne said that they not only pawed big holes in the sand but also pawed the trailer tongue and bit the spare tire; all while looking at her as if to say "So what are you going to do about it ?" Billy was the worst brat . It was not a restful day for her !

It was not a restful day for Dick and I either . We ended up having to drive back to Catalina to find hay ! Dick says that we drove over 60 miles, one way, on that search .

When we got back to camp it was still quite warm . Corinne had been chasing the shade all day . But as the sun went down, the little canyon got nice . We could see the lights of the Ray Mine far across the Gila River . Built a fire in the road later and it was nice; watching the evening come on and the stars softly appear .

Dick is cooking, Corinne is relaxing with Jane beside her .

The mules are behaving themselves

Jane

April 11, 2008 Ripsey Wash to Kelvin

2008-06-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

Last night was another "campfire in the road" kind of windy evening; but a nice campsite otherwise . We watched the light of the sinking sun move up the cliffs beside the camp . Vultures were circling low, heading in to their roost for the night . The mules had had a long day with only one place for water; they were quiet and seemed glad to be "home" at the trailer .
Dick had set up camp where the trail crosses Ripsey Wash .
The next day a work crew was coming into this section to do some trail work . Two members of the crew (John Rendall & Dave Babcock) had been a big help to me regarding maps of the area, and scouting . I wrote a note to them and the work crew . We left the note in a side wash that we thought they would be using for their camp . Don't know if they got the note .

If you look closely in this photo, in the lower right quadrant you can just make out the truck and trailer . This was our camp in Ripsey Wash as Corinne and I saw it as we were riding down the final ridge into the main wash . In the background is what is called The Big Hill . The trail switchbacking up it is a real marvel in engineering and construction; easy grades and well stabilized tread . Great views looking back west into the many side canyons of Ripsey Wash .

The following photos were taken from the ridge going north from the Big Hill.

Looking east to the Galiuro Mountains

Superstitions on the horizon (See Billy's ear?)

Hillside of brittlebush

Looking east, down into Kearny

Diane and Billy admiring the view

buckwheat, and claret cup cactus

brittle bush and globe mallow

On the way down off the ridges and toward camp, we came to a small wash that had a little pool of water . It was about 6 or 8 inches below the level of the wash . Rosie was thirsty . She got down on her knees to drink from that little pool ! They had had water a couple hours before but she wanted some of this water too . Billy was not that THAT thirsty I guess . It had not been hot weather .

On the switchbacks coming down, I got off to take a flower picture . As I was remounting, from the uphill side, the bank gave way and I slid under Billy . He didn't even flick an ear .

Camp at last . Dick had the hor d'oerves out and the cold drinks ready . Jane and Jesse were always excited to see us coming into camp . Dick was too !

Mules LOVE to roll . At one point they were both rolling at the same time but we were not fast enough with the camera to get it on film .

Billy and Diane What a good mule !

Jane and Diane

April 10, 2008 Freeman Rd to Ripsey Wash

2008-05-29T17:35:00.000-07:00

Corinne and Rosie looking good !

Last night Corinne's husband Jeff came out to our camp, a 2 hour drive for him, and he brought PIZZA ! It tasted so good ! He stayed to have dinner with us . By this time we had learned that a leafy salad just didn't work in the wind; it blew off of the plate . Also, the wind caught the pizza box, flipping some of the pizza into the dirt . We didn't let that stop us from eating it !

We camped very near the trailhead on FreemanRd. An okay place to camp; being up on a slight ridge would ordinarily be a good thing but it was very windy when we were there so; no campfire, and early to bed to keep warm .

Corinne had some sleeping arrangement challenges . She did not want to deal with the big tent that she had used on our last trip, so she borrowed a 2 person backpacker tent from me . What I didn't know was that she wanted to put a cot in it . That just did not work ! So she ended up using the saddle pads and a very thin foam pad for cushioning in her bed . It couldn't have been comfortable but she never complained; a good camping companion .

The next morning Dick fixed us our usual breakfast of a fried egg, a piece of buttered bread, oatmeal with raisins and walnuts, and small orange . He also always made a rolled up quesadilla, with jalepenos for me, for our trail lunch . That and a large orange was always plenty .

Dick packs up the camp; Corinne and I saddle the mules; and off we go .

The trail was very easy, good footing, basically level, and winding through junipers and open grass areas . The huge boulders scattered throughout the area give it it's name; the Boulder Segment .

Diane and Billy "near" Tecolote Ranch

Bull and calf at a cottonwood shaded corral

Diane and Billy under a huge cottonwood tree

A cairn marking the trail down into a side canyon of Ripsey Wash

April 9, 2008 Yellowjacket Well to Freeman Rd.

2008-05-21T16:42:00.000-07:00

These next few days are difficult to describe as to their location, except to say that the Trail goes north from Oracle and on to the Gila River where it crosses at the tiny town of Kelvin . Kelvin is a few miles downstream from Kearney .

Our camp at Yellowjacket Well in Bloodsucker Wash .

This gate (so much character !) is downwash from Yellowjacket Well

After about 2 miles,down the wash, we were looking along the left side of the wash for the trail out of the wash and found it just past a rocky outcropping covered with sahuaro cacti . Large cairns made the trail easy to see .

Following 2 track roads and single track trail the route meanders over nice desert country; and then suddenly you are looking down on the quintessential western windmill scene: Beehive Well .
Picture a canyon about a quarter of a mile wide with walls 150 feet high . In this little canyon is a windmill and a huge, 60' diameter, open topped water storage tank . And corrals, and a small shed . And it is all old . Mature mesquite trees and palo verde trees line the canyon floor .

Up canyon a short way and the trail climbs out onto a ridge . Gently switchbacking and following the grades, the trail winds it's way north toward the dominant landmark in this area; Antelope Peak .

Antelope Tank; the only water we saw on this section .

Monday, April 7: North from Tiger Mine Rd. with Corinne

2008-05-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

On this part of my journey on the Arizona Trail, I was joined by my long time friend C0rinne Geertsen . She rode Ron Silverthorn's mule Rosie .

After a VERY windy camp on a ridge northeast of Oracle, Dick drove us to the trailhead on Tiger Mine Rd. Tiger Mine Rd. goes N off AZ highway 77 which is the highway between Oracle and Mammoth on the San Pedro river . Not much room for a horse trailer rig but enough to be safe .

The trail starts on a ridge and, looking North, it seems as if the whole state of Arizona is laid out in front of you . The panorama goes on forever with ridges fading lighter and lighter into the distance .

There were still many wildflowers still in bloom but I had never seen 7 blooms from a seemingly single stem of Mariposa Lily .

With good grades, the trail leads up over the ridges and down into the sandy drainages between them . A cottonwood tree or dense grass shows the occasional presence of water . The wind got to be quite strong on the ridge tops .

We rode as far as the Pipeline Rd. before we stopped for lunch . ( Having spent some time last year on the Pipeline Rd., I did not want to ride any more of it .)

Things do look different on the return trip, now we were mostly looking up as we climbed back toward the TH where Dick was waiting . We again passed a huge bull that we had named Blondie . He was still laying under the same tree as when we passed him going out .

Billy sets a good pace .

While we had been riding, Dick had gone into Oracle to replenish our ice supply and get some cold drinks for us . A&W is really good after a windy day in the saddle !

Our next camp would be at the inviting sounding place of Yellowjacket Well in Bloodsucker Wash .

Actually it was a rather nice campsite with a huge, ancient mesquite tree for shade and clean sand for our camp . The wind died down at sunset . This was the second night we built the campfire in the road so as to have safe weed free place for it . ( It became a tradition to have it in the road .) A large, vocal bull strolled through camp at 1 AM .

JUNE 13-20 PINE TO FLAGSTAFF WITH DEBBIE

2007-07-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

WEDNESDAY

This trip I am sharing with my long time friend Debbie Zinkl. She is riding her 13 year old Arabian gelding “Gem”.

We started our adventure at Pine TH, near Pine in central Arizona. We rode 17 miles of the historic Highline Trail, finishing the day at Washington Park. The trail was more difficult than we expected: constant up or down, and rocky.

At lunch we had the company of a black timber rattler: black with narrow straw colored stripes. It blended perfectly with the black dirt and the straw colored dead pine needles.

We saw turkeys with their young; and a bear track on the trail! (But no bear!)

We were SO glad to see Dick at the nice camp that he had set up in the shade of the pine trees! ( Jane had heard us coming and ran out to meet us on the trail and followed us in to camp.) Beef stroganoff for dinner and pudding for dessert!
THURSDAY
Up onto the Rim on the Colonel Devin Trail . The lower parts of the trail are along the springs that start the East Verde River. Ponderosa pines,Douglas firs, maples, oaks, raspberries, wild roses, columbines….WOW!
And then comes the final assault!! Only about 1/3 of a mile but VERY steep and VERY rocky!

I tailed up it while Debbie rode ahead of Billy so that he would have someone to follow and therefore keep going. But we had to stop at frequent intervals so that I could get my pulse and respiration down a little bit.

At the top we met Chuck Horner, an AZT Trail Steward. He was waiting for the district forest ranger and they were going to begin scouting a reroute for this awful piece of trail that Debbie and I had just done. We will be there to help you Chuck when it is time to do the work!!

From there for the next few miles the trail location could not be more beautiful! It follows one of the tributaries of East Clear Creek. A small canyon with a flat floor of meadows with a stream of clear water running through it. Again, the pine trees, the fir trees, maples, and oaks, and now aspens too. And the flowers: lots of columbines, wild roses, wild iris, and watercress in the stream.

After we left this beautiful little canyon, the terrain flattened out and the trail wove through Ponderosa pine forest to the edge of the East Clear Creek Canyon.

A Boy Scout troop had built really nice steps down the steep hillside into the canyon. The steps were perfect for people but we we're on horses and the narrow treads were very difficult for our animals to negotiate. We were so glad to be on very experienced animals who did not panic and just worked it out and got us down to the canyon floor.

Then a steep climb out the other side and in an hour we were again enjoying a shady camp, a cold drink, and then a nice shower, thanks to Dick.

FRIDAY
Today is “day in camp”, resting ourselves and Billy and Gem .

So the highlight of the day is the meals. (Got to brag on Dick .) French toast and fried potatoes and sausage and OJ and French Press coffee for breakfast. I see him over there stirring pudding for tonight. He says it’s spaghetti and meatballs for dinner.

We are camped at approximately 7500’. A phenomenon that I had forgotten about is how the air feels cool but the sun is so intense and hot. So we are “shaded up”.

SATURDAY
Last night's camp was along the road into Blue Ridge Reservoir near Clint's Well on Highway 87. There were a lot of other campers and some illegal campfires (fire restrictions in effect). Forest Service law enforcement came along checking camps and issued a number of citations.

We rode out early; we had a long day ahead. The trail was mostly level, good footing well cleared by the Segment Steward. There was even a stretch that had been "paved" with crushed white rock. It had to have been wheel barrowed in by hand!! The rock is probably a really good thing after rains! And it was nice for us too.

We were able to do some trotting, winding through the Ponderosas. We rode quietly along here, hopng to see elk. Last fall Dick and I had been here and there were so many elk bugles going on at night that I had to get into the motorhome so that I could sleep! I never knew that there could be so many variations of elk bugles!

We dropped off the high plateau and came down past a couple of FS campgrounds with a stand of big aspens between them. Along here we encountered a group of young men running through the forest; they seemed to be a training run (firefighters?). Billy and Gem were not bothered by the runners coming at them on the trail.We crossed Highway 87 on it's way to Winslow, and shortly after that the trail led down into a grassy floored little canyon where the sun was just beginning to penetrate - grand mature Ponderosa, some Aspen with their leaves fluttering in the morning breeze. Fun rolling terrain, and then dropped down into a shallow canyon with aspens and a grassy floor.

Dick met us at two different forest road crossings, so we could offer Billy and Gem a drink, not knowing where the next chance might be for them. They were glad to accept.

The next 6 hours were not so much fun. The trail was mostly rocky roads. There were some good sized dirt tanks for water for "the boys". One of them had an elk in the middle of it getting a drink; another had turkeys just leaving.

We were REALLY glad to see Dick at the shady campsite that he had set up for us. This camp was at Bargaman Lake; think big meadow. Dick wasn't feeling well, so after a time of trying to be a good sport and ask about our day, he finally had to go to bed. Debbie and I stayed up til our usual bedtime of 8:00.

SUNDAY
This morning there were elk in the meadow (Gem was on high alert!) Most of them were bulls: from young "spikes" to mature, magnificent full grown bulls. I was surprised at how much antler growth they had at this, what I thought, early in the year.

We had had enough of rocky footing so we trailered to Allen Lake to start this day's ride. And it was worth it, good footing, easy terrain, grassy meadows, huge Ponderosa, trail well marked. Some of the trail is on old railroad beds from the days of logging beginning in the late 1800's.
Saw more elk and turkeys. The occasional aspen really stands out

Ten easy, fun miles took us to Mormon Lake Lodge where Dick had camp set up under the pine trees near the arena.

It was nice to be in "civilization" with hot showers with copious amounts of hot water. Debbie suggested that we "wash" our shirts by stomping them underfoot while in the shower. It worked pretty well! Dusty camps and dusty trails were taking their toll on our wardrobe!
And Debbie treated us to dinner at the lodge! And margueritas!

MONDAY
Poor Gem ; there were elk in the meadow here too!"High Alert ! High Alert! They're right over there, just across the fence!!"

After climbing back up to the AZT, we continued north. And we encountered the elk bands that were moving up through the forest after having been down on the meadows during the night. Mostly they were the bachelor herds, young bulls and mature bulls. We could hear them communicating to each other with little mewing sounds. The cow/calf herds were more skittish.

We went through a campground where a small bridge crossed a small stream. Neither Billy or Gem wanted anything to do with that bridge. To them, crossing the stream was obviously a much better choice.

Continuing on, there were occasional views of the huge meadow that is Mormon Lake.
We could see what was possibly a marshy place in the middle, but by far the majority of the "lake" is a meadow, a HUGE meadow.

There were streches of the trail that followed more segments of old railroad embankments, built out of the native rough volcanic rock. The old railroad ties are still there and an occasional spike too.

The Ponderosas begin to open up and there are many small clearings in the trees.
And then the first look at the San Francisco Peaks, north of Flagstaff ! Dick met us at the road going into Mormon Lake Lodge- lunch for us and hay and water for Billy and Gem.

Then up onto Anderson Mesa: rocky, interminable Anderson Mesa. More elk, AND a herd of pronghorns! Another interesting thing on Anderson Mesa is that the trail has been re-routed to the edge of the mesa to look down on the meadow-valley of the Lake Mary's.

Then around the Lowell Observatory, a short pretty trail down, and we arrrived at Marshall Lake and Dick and
Jesse and Jane and camp. 9 1/2 hours on the trail.
(Marshall Lake is SSE of Flagstaff.)

TUESDAY
The trail leaving Marshall Lake is again "paved" with crushed white rocks. ( We're still on Anderson Mesa.) But it is much more interesting country as the trail goes in and out of small swales, and twists and winds.

During one of these winding swales, I was following Debbie, when suddenly there were little birds flying past her at about eye level. When I got to that point I could see that these birds were coming out of a hole in a small wizened little oak tree. They were fledging!! And we were there at the exact moment to see it!! WOW!!

Finally leaving Anderson Mesa, and going down into Walnut Canyon where there are aspen trees and sandy footing.

Here's Debbie with the San Francisco Peaks in the background.

We met a gal on a big gaited horse, ripping along with her wolf dog. ( Corrine thinks it was Kathy Batson. )

Climbing out at Fischer Point, we met some elder hikers who had stopped at the view point at the top. We tied up the animals and sat down with the hikers to enjoy the view into Walnut Canyon.

Walnut Canyon is east of Flagstaff, and is the site of Indian cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon National Monument.

The AZT follows the north rim of Walnut Canyon, in and out of the drainages that feed the canyon. The elevation is high enough to have Douglas fir growing as well as aspen.

The day was a little hot, so it was really wonderful to get to where Dick was meeting us and find that he had bought a WATERMELON! It tasted so good! and Billy and Gem enjoyed the rinds.

We finished the days ride at Walnut Canyon TH but camping is not allowed there, so we went to the fairgrounds in Flagstaff to camp.

WEDNESDAY
Camping at the fairgrounds; nice people, good shade, water.
Jane's watching a squirrel in the tree.

Debbie had never been to see the cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon Nat. Mon., so we started our day there before it got too hot. The ruins are on a sandstone penninisula that juts out into Walnut Canyon. There are quite a number of steps to go down, and of course back up , so we wanted to do that early in the day.

APR 25-9 PRISON CAMP-PICKETPOST/CORINNE

2007-05-04T19:14:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, April 25
My new riding partner was Corinne Geertsen. Ron had friends coming to visit, so he wanted to sit this one out. We drove to Tucson and up the Catalina Highway onto Mt Lemmon and into Gordon Hirayabashi Camp (formerly Prisoner Camp). The weather was perfect; cool but not cold, breezy but not windy. We put the mules into the corrals and set up the camp near a big cottonwood tree...perfect !

Billy and Rosie Relax

Gordon Hirayabashi Camp-Prisoner Camp

Jane checks out the bear-proof camp

Dick Cooks Dinner

Thursday, April 26
We set off toward Hutch's Pool near the head of Sabino Canyon.

There had been a bad fire through this area a few years ago and trail work has been done part of the way into the upper reaches of Sabino Canyon. Not all of the trail has been reworked yet and is quite narrow in places due to erosion. (Another time I was glad to be on a mule!)

But even with mules, we felt it was prudent to get off and lead in many places, if there was room to get off! There was clear water running in some of the drainages we crossed and somehow the fire had "jumped" these riparian areas! Swaths of pink penstemon flowers were thick on the steep slopes.

We judged some of the slopes to be about 70 degrees of slant (90 degrees being straight up). We did NOT take pictures there!

Our turnaround was forced at the main fork of Sabino Canyon which was choked with boulders for about 80 yards across. The trail sign there, at a tributary wash, had been dug out of the sand just enough to be read. These signs normally are about 3 ft high, so more than 3 ft of sand had come down just this one small tributary!

But there was grass there and a nice shady place to have lunch and try out the satelite phone. After a few tries, I was able to talk to Dick in camp. It was very reassuring to know that we could communicate with him no matter what the terrain was like between us riders and camp.

The ride out was less "exciting" because it was uphill and so we were able to ride more, get off less.

In one of the riparian areas we met the pack goats that we had seen on our last time in this area. The goats came right up to the mules, who were also curious.

Back in camp, Dick had snacks out for us, and then a dinner of beef stroganoff! Watching for satellites, a glass of wine, what a great way to end the day!! (The evening's entertainment was watching Corinne put up a 4 person tent -it had something that looked like a doggie door!)

Friday, April 27
In the morning we trailered up to the fire station near the top of Mt Lemmon. The temporary equestrian route of the AZT goes down Oracle Ridge which starts at the fire station. This area was also invovlved in the big fire a few years ago.

Almost immediately we encountered trees down across the trail; not very big trees but due to the steepness of the slope we felt that it was prudent for us to get off and lead over, or around, these trees.

Somewhere in this tree hopping, Rosie's crupper broke, but we didn't notice it at the time. The crupper is a round strap of leather that fits under the tail and holds the saddle from sliding forward when the animal is going down a steep place. There were quite a number of steep places on this trail so we improvised a crupper using the breast collar. The breast collar had a sheepskin pad at the triangle so that was perfect to go under her tail, and a red bandana wrapped around the other piece of leather completed our "McGyver" arrangement. Oh, and we attached this invention to the saddle using the saddle strings . Corinne didn't trust the flimsy saddle strings, so she walked down the steeper places (and there were plenty of them), and since she no longer had a breast collar, she also walked UP the steeeper places (and there were a few doozies of those too). The obvious thing for her to do was to tail up these steep places. (Tailing is: holding onto the animals tail while he is going uphill and he pulls you along.) I knew that Billy would " tail" but we didn't know about Rosie. Time to find out. She was a champ!

So I rode Billy, lead Rosie, Corinne tailed Rosie, and on we went! Oracle Ridge is a very high, long, and isolated ridge on the north side of Mt Lemmon. So the views are tremendous! We could see the whole San Pedro valley to the east and Biosphere II to the west ! At one point an Apache helicopter flew very near us as it was cruising up and over the ridges and canyons on the north side of the mountain. As we were eating lunch, a swarm of bees "swarmed" over the ridge heading east. After about 11 miles of rough, rocky trail we came onto the very well maintained northern end of this section. The trail here was fun to ride; good footing, easy contoured grades, trees and grass and flowers..... Then, far off, below us, we could see the roof of the American Flag ranch house. So glad to get into camp; it had been a difficult day. Dick had the camp set up; shower tent up; hot water for showers; snacks; ice for cold drinks!!!!

Rosie watched the sun set in camp at American Flag.

Saturday, April 28
This day was going to be a rest day for the mules, and us.

Dick cools off.

At 3 o'clock we were going to go up to Tecolote Ranch where we would camp for the night and be ready for the next day's ride to Kelvin on the Gila River. Tecolote Ranch is about 20 miles north of Oracle. However, the weather began to change. Clouds were building; wind picking up.... So we started packing up the camp. Just as we are finished packing the van and are loading up the mules, the rain really starts to come down! Big raindrops on the windshield and some big splats of hail too! We are not going out onto that ranch road! When you don't know what else to do, find food. We found a restaurant, parked the van and trailer into the wind and went in to eat and discuss our options.

We went to Superior; camped near Picket Post TH.

Sunday, April 29
We got an early start to get ahead of the heat as much as possible. We rode north, under the highway. This section of the Arizona Trail is a beautiful example of upper Sonoran Desert!! Billy looked both ways before crossing:

The Ocotillo was in bloom.

Diane and Billy paused for a photo at a rock cairn marking the trail.

Hedgehog cacti were blooming.

The views of the huge monolith of PicketPost Mountain are incredible! The cool, shady confines of Whitford Canyon are a delight!

Rosie and Corinne share a moment.

Whitford canyon. Duck!

And this part of the Arizona Trail is the closest to Phoenix. By the time we got back to camp, at about 2 o'clock, it was uncomfortably hot, high 90's. And the gnats were going after us and the animals with a vengence! We decided that was enough fun and packed up so that we could drive home on a Sunday instead of a Monday. So, that will be all for this time. I hope to be able to pack over the Matzatzals in June, and then go to Pine and up onto the Rim. Thanks for blogging along with me !! Diane

2007-04-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

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 .

RON AND DIANE ON THE AZ TRAIL

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2007-04-23T08:08:00.000-07:00

2007-04-12T16:17:00.000-07:00

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 .

2007-04-03T07:14:00.000-07:00

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.......

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2007-04-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

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.
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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"

2007-03-24T18:42:00.000-07:00

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 !

2007-03-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

2007-03-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

2007-03-23T16:04:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-22T10:49:00.000-07:00

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 !!

2007-03-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-13T09:57:00.000-07:00

March 13, 2007

Ron Silverthorn, Diane Wertz, and Dick Wertz are getting ready this week to start a mule trek on the Arizona Trail. Ron and Diane will be riding Rosie and Billy as they begin the journey. Dick Wertz will be the "sag" crew, providing support and cooking for the riders.

AZT-Mules

2007-03-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

On March 19,2007 Diane Wertz and Ron Silverthorn are going to start riding the AZT on mules.
http://azt-mules.blogspot.com/