Today’s hike took us up Upper Hunter Canyon trail, an abandoned trail to an old homestead that the Forest Service no longer maintains. The trail is not listed on the Coronado National Forest trail list, either.I took the dogs up here because no one other than illegal border crossers and Border Patrol agents go up this trail. I can let the dogs off leash without worrying about other hikers. A spring in the canyon provides fresh water for the dogs, too.
This is not a long hike. From the official Miller Peak Wilderness boundary to the homestead is about a mile. The trail starts out on a steep, rocky and exposed trail lined by manzanitas and agaves, and ends in a lush canyon with Ponderosas, oaks and alligator junipers.
The trailhead is 1.5 miles west of the highway, climbing up a rocky path that only high-clearance vehicles can clear.
A tarantula scurried across the parking area, and later I heard a red-tailed hawk screech somewhere above me.
We got to the old homestead in 30 minutes, and proceeded another quarter mile uphill along the dry creek bed. I went as far as I could on a clear trail, but turned around when it got more precarious. The sun here poked determinedly through the trees.
Hiking back down was of course easier, but now we could hear shooters down below. That may have spooked Sara, who normally likes to walk ahead of me. Now she was right by my side, stopping frequently to stare ahead of us.
Two cars were parked at the Kelly Springs parking area. We could here the firing of pistols much louder now. We didn’t stop, we just drove right back home where the dogs gladly attacked the water bucket.
I bought some new dog food today at the feed store: Eukanuba “Naturally Wild”. The dogs loved it, and so did the cats! The primary ingredients are venison, potato, ground whole grain, chicken meal, fish meal and chicken fat. Not an ounce of corn! For $25 a 30-pound bag this may be the best bargain yet.
This is not a long hike. From the official Miller Peak Wilderness boundary to the homestead is about a mile. The trail starts out on a steep, rocky and exposed trail lined by manzanitas and agaves, and ends in a lush canyon with Ponderosas, oaks and alligator junipers.
The trailhead is 1.5 miles west of the highway, climbing up a rocky path that only high-clearance vehicles can clear.
A tarantula scurried across the parking area, and later I heard a red-tailed hawk screech somewhere above me.
We got to the old homestead in 30 minutes, and proceeded another quarter mile uphill along the dry creek bed. I went as far as I could on a clear trail, but turned around when it got more precarious. The sun here poked determinedly through the trees.
Hiking back down was of course easier, but now we could hear shooters down below. That may have spooked Sara, who normally likes to walk ahead of me. Now she was right by my side, stopping frequently to stare ahead of us.
Two cars were parked at the Kelly Springs parking area. We could here the firing of pistols much louder now. We didn’t stop, we just drove right back home where the dogs gladly attacked the water bucket.
I bought some new dog food today at the feed store: Eukanuba “Naturally Wild”. The dogs loved it, and so did the cats! The primary ingredients are venison, potato, ground whole grain, chicken meal, fish meal and chicken fat. Not an ounce of corn! For $25 a 30-pound bag this may be the best bargain yet.
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