This was an enjoyable hike yesterday in the western Huachucas. Weather was ideal, company was great and the challenge just perfect. Even the dogs, albeit tired, had fun.
At first I thought I had missed the meet-up time, but it turned out I was just 30 minutes early. I used that time to scope out the area off Forest Road 201, driving along the alluvial plains that are common on the western slope of the Mountains.
I found the rest of the hiking party as they were ready to hike at 9am. We were seven people: Steve Sa, Steve Sch, Paul, Rob, Casi, Susan and I. And then there were Sammy and Sara. (Sadie stayed home as she's not yet learned trail etiquette, and the older dogs enjoyed having a break from her)
The Sycamores along the babbling brook of Lyle Creek were in their autumn yellows, which became more dramatic later in the afternoon on our return hike when the afternoon sun was lower over the horizon. The dogs took advantage of the water, and I was happy to not have to worry about running out of water for them.
Lyle Creek and the adjacent trail slowly crept uphill in the riparian environment. We saw a few squirrels and quail but wildlife was mostly absent. At times the trail disappeared and we had to walk along the dry rocky creek bed. And toward the peak the trail completely disappeared, most likely victim to a massive landslide that took the trail with it.
There was little to no illegal trash along this trail. In fact, the entire trail looked little used.
At first I thought I had missed the meet-up time, but it turned out I was just 30 minutes early. I used that time to scope out the area off Forest Road 201, driving along the alluvial plains that are common on the western slope of the Mountains.
I found the rest of the hiking party as they were ready to hike at 9am. We were seven people: Steve Sa, Steve Sch, Paul, Rob, Casi, Susan and I. And then there were Sammy and Sara. (Sadie stayed home as she's not yet learned trail etiquette, and the older dogs enjoyed having a break from her)
The Sycamores along the babbling brook of Lyle Creek were in their autumn yellows, which became more dramatic later in the afternoon on our return hike when the afternoon sun was lower over the horizon. The dogs took advantage of the water, and I was happy to not have to worry about running out of water for them.
Lyle Creek and the adjacent trail slowly crept uphill in the riparian environment. We saw a few squirrels and quail but wildlife was mostly absent. At times the trail disappeared and we had to walk along the dry rocky creek bed. And toward the peak the trail completely disappeared, most likely victim to a massive landslide that took the trail with it.
There was little to no illegal trash along this trail. In fact, the entire trail looked little used.
"Look, the Red Monkey Flower!" said Susan as we approached Lyle Creek. Further up was a similar red tubular flower, the Red Cardinal Flower. Both Rob and Susan knew the names but to me both looked too similar at first glance.
"Did you see that flower?" asked me Susan.
"Yes, I stopped to photograph it!" I reassured her.
We rested for a while at the halfway mark near the peak. Each dog ate a can of Alpo and some Nathan Hot Dog Treats for Dogs. My legs felt the exhertion and the dogs were glad to rest their paws.
We rested for a while at the halfway mark near the peak. Each dog ate a can of Alpo and some Nathan Hot Dog Treats for Dogs. My legs felt the exhertion and the dogs were glad to rest their paws.
Susan and Paul, whenever they are together, talk politics. Today they talked about General Powell coming out and endorsing Senator Obama for the presidency, a liberal Republican endorsing a Democrat because Powell's own party member, Senator McCain, is deemed too liberal for a Republican and because, according to Powell, "McCain has run a very negative campaign."
The interview with General Powell and Tom Brokaw from NBC was on Sunday morning.
We had hiked just a tad over eight miles, according to the GPSs that both Steve Sa and Rod had. (Rod never hikes without his GPS).
We were done with the hike and back at our cars at 3:40pm. I was exhausted, but content that I finally got a good work-out in. Afterall, the other option I could have done today was the Bisbee Stairclimb, the annual 5km race through Old Bisbee that raises money for the repairs of the old mining stairs. (Although according to one newspaper report, only about $5000 of the usual $13,000 generated from race entries gets used for the repairs, the rest is given to other charities.)
Or I could have helped at the High Desert Fair at the County Extension office.
http://www.bisbee1000.org/about.htm
ag.arizona.edu/cochise/mg/nnlpdf/Garden%20Fair.pdf
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