Just in Time - Rick Quinn’s Arizona & New Mexico book
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Last night I attended the book talk and signing in Tucson by Rick Quinn for his new book, “Arizona & New Mexico:25 Scenics Side Trips”. It was well attended at Mostly Books and besides meeting Rick, I also got to meet AZBuck. The book is excellent, so well written with great details and beautiful photographs. I could say it was so well done that upon getting a copy I immediately planned a trip based on his information. Actually we’ve trying to get over to New Mexico for several months, but had problems scheduling a week to get away.
A couple of weeks ago we carved out this coming week for a road trip to New Mexico. We won’t be completing any of his loops, as written, but we will be criss-crossing several of the loops. So, I thought I’ll fashion this RoadTrip Field Report around his book. So getting his book is just in time for this trip. We head out tomorrow, Sunday. Not sure I’ll be able to post along the way, but will update when we return.
In the meantime you can follow along the trip by viewing my posts on Instagram - Srjrranger
Day 1 - 4/15/18 Tucson to Show Low
This trip was for us to achieve several goals based on our diverse hobbies; letterboxing, passport stamps (NPS, BLM, NWR, & NFH), historic post offices and enjoying natural history along the way. Based on Rick Quinn’s “Arizona and New Mexico: 25 Scenic Side Trips” I thought it would be interesting to match our route with the book, where they crossed. What it did show me is there is so much in Arizona and New Mexico to explore. I am in awe of Rick’s book; the routes, the details he provided and his selection of side trips.
So this will be our trip, with side notes relating to Rick’s book, with pages cited. We left Tucson, from the east-side, and picked up AZ 77 at Ina and Oracle Rds., (p. 117 - 120). While traveling through Oro Valley, a northern suburb Tucson, I took a picture of the ranch brands mounted on a concrete wall along the side of the road, at the entrance to a Hilton resort.
Brands
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Further up the road is the entrance to Catalina State Park, which I have camped at and hiked numerous miles over the past 35 years. Such a great park with a variety of events, (https://azstateparks.com/catalina/)
Catalina State Park
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We only followed Scenic Side Trip (SST) #8 for a short distance until we peeled off and continued on AZ 77, passing Biosphere 2 then traveling through Winkleman, to Globe. From there we picked up US 60 heading NE into Salt River Canyon, SST #11, (p. 165-169). The book gives some great background on the Salt River Canyon. He mentions the rest area at the bottom of the canyon, a favorite stop of ours.
View from the restroom at Salt River Canyon - best view from any restroom!
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Old bridge
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Salt River Canyon
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Before reaching Show Low we turned off US 60/AZ 77 to stop by Fort Apache for a historic post office picture. My husband is building a website to provide pictures and dates of any building in Arizona that is over 50 years old and was a post office at some point during its existence. The drive around Ft Apache is interesting, interpretive signs are in front of all of the buildings, giving great details. During the week a visitor center is a good place to start your visit. From the information my husband has, this may be the oldest post office building in Arizona in continuous use.
Ft Apache Post Office
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Before ending the day we stopped in Lakeside-Pinetop for a short hike at the Billy Creek Connector, it brought us to a lush overlook down into Billy Creek. Great trails, well signed throughout this area, as part of the White Mountains Trail System.
Billy Creek
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We ended the day at Show Low County Lake Campground with a campsite in the pines. For $30 we got a spacious site with electricity and access to showers. It was much cooler than Tucson, at 6800 ft, so the electric was nice to be able to run our small heater for evening reading.
Wildlife sightings
Steller’s Blue Jay
Common Raven
Canada geese
Mallard
Killdeer
American Crow
American Coot
Wild Turkey
Red-tailed Hawk
Northern Flicker
Ground squirrel
I would like to be on the road too!
Pat,
Thanks for the kudos for Rick's book. I am loving it that you are posting a report using his book!
Sorry about the photography hassle. There is a PM from me with another suggestion.
Mark
Day 2 - 4/16/18 Show Low, AZ to Apache Creek, NM
Monday, 4/16/18
A pleasant, and very quiet evening at the campground. We opted to take advantage of the Denny's just around the corner from the campground. With their 15% AARP discount and smaller portions for breakfast, and a warm place to be in the morning it was a win-win that morning, the low was 37 degrees.
From Show Low we were heading east into New Mexico, with a couple of stops before leaving Arizona. We continued east on AZ 260, along the Mogollon Rim, a geologic feature which extends across Arizona for 200 miles and forms the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. We took a side trip to Hawley Lake, within the White Mountain Apache Reservation, and often the coldest temperature in Arizona during the winter. The drive south, off of AZ 260, was very scenic and lonely. I think we may have only seen two other vehicles during the 20 mile round trip, off course it is off-season for this summer resort. We were there to take pictures of the post office, now closed. One of my favorite wildlife sightings is of Common Mergansers which we saw along the lake. Not a great picture, too long of zoom, but not a common sighting in Arizona.
Common Merganser - male
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Common Merganser - female
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Continuing on AZ 260 we turned south on US 191 where we briefly joined SST #3 at Eager. We didn’t take the Big Lake loop, where we have camped several times over the years. Too cool for that, plus none of the campgrounds in the area until later in May. Before we reached Eager we crossed a meadow at 9,000 feet and a view of the Sunrise Ski Area, also part of the White Mountain Apache Reservation and with some snow still present.
Sunrise Ski Area
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The road between Springerville and Alpine is a mild section of US191, Rick’s book does an excellent job of describing (P 55 - 58) the not-so-mild section of this road, also called the Devil’s Highway, south of Alpine into Morenci. It is a section we have driven numerous times over the years, the number of hairpin turns that Rick writes about is spot on! We love that road and agree that it needs to be driven during the day time.
This trip just took us 11 miles south of Alpine to a turn off onto FR 58 which lead to Red Hills Rd and eventually to Blue, AZ, all on dirt roads suitable for 2-WD. This takes you through the Blue Range, an area I have explored for over 40 years, starting back when I lived in Phoenix in the 70s. In more recent times we have camped at KP Cienga Campground and been treated to observing a Mexican Wolf in the meadow adjacent to the campground. The reintroduction of the wolves has been moderately successful, with opinions at both ends of the spectrum. As we turned off US 191 we came across a sign about the reintroduction. Driving into Blue we left the high country and the opportunity to observe wolves on this trip.
Mexican Wolf sign
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A year ago we drove this same road and made it to Blue, but did not cross the river to continue to the existing post office, the water was too high. Not much rain or snow this year so the crossing was easy and we arrived at the post office and had a delightful visit with the Postmaster (actually, Postmistress which is not recognized by USPS). Lots of interesting history and current practices with this remote post office.
Blue Post Office, current location since 1981 (building under the arrow)
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Blue Post Office, 1932 - 1981
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We took the Blue River Road north from Blue to US 180, about 5 miles east of Alpine and back on SST #3 for a short distance to a turnoff to Reserve, NM on NM12. Today the wind was strong, we had avoided the worst of it by traveling down into Blue, but back up in open country it was strong. We opted for camping at Apache Creek Campground (USFS) nestled in pine trees and free! For a Monday evening we were surprised to find 7 of 10 sites occupied. This campground has a pit toilet, tables and firepits, but no water. After fixing dinner and while walking around the campground we were invited to have a drink with our neighbors. They were a group of four people in three Sprinter vans, at three levels of conversion from top dollar to basic. They were from the Taos area and met up here and were then splitting off to explore different areas. One of the people recounted his drive on the Devil’s Highway on a BMW motorcycle a few years ago, he said it was a challenge. One of them had a very friendly dog which ended the day drinking water from our bottle). The owner assured us the dog had access to water, but preferred the hand feeding method.
Dog drinking
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Wildlife Sightings
Common Merganser, male & female
Common Raven
Turkey Vulture
Black Phoebe
Mallard
White breasted nuthatch
Killdeer
Belted Kingfisher
Day 3 - April 17 Apache Creek - Santa Fe, NM
Slept great, the wind died down, then picked up again during the night, but stayed at the treetops. However, it became gusty in the AM and made it very difficult to get the cookstove going, we did get our hot beverage and oatmeal before continuing East on NM 12.
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Western Bluebird
A bit further up the road we reached Datil, the BLM ( Bureau of Land Management) has a campground and small visitor center there, open March - October, and interprets an interesting piece of Western history. This area is along the old Magdalena Livestock Driveway, one of 15 water wells. The old cattle trail was established in the 1800s and stretched 120 miles from Springerville, Arizona, to Magdalena, New Mexico.
https://www.blm.gov/documents/new-me...stock-driveway.
At Datil we picked up US 60 and SST #19 (p. 275) driving past the VLA (Very Large Array) which we have visited on previous trips. As we were heading north once we reached Socorro we stayed on Rick’s Alternate Route, p. 281. Along the route is another unique BLM site, The Box, a quick stop. We had lunch at Socorro Springs Brewing Company, a favorite eating spot of ours while in Socorro.
After lunch we headed north on I-25 to re-visit Sevilleta NWR ( National Wildlife Refuge). Too windy for wildlife viewing so I settled for a picture of a dragonfly sculpture at the entrance to the visitor center.
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Dragonfly Sculpture - Sevilleta NWR
Continuing north to a new site for us, Valle de Oro NWR, which was established in 2012 as an urban NWR. It is south of downtown Albuquerque, near the airport. The wind was unrelenting and the site is under extensive development, dirt was airbound! We’ll be back to visit and explore this gem of a site, along the Rio Grande River.
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Valle de Oro NWR map - in development
We continued up I-25 to Santa Fe, luckily the wind was primarily coming from the south, so we benefited from a tailwind. We had planned to camp at Cochiti Lake ( US Corp of Eng), ( p. 306) and re-visit Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, but we needed to get out of the wind! We elected to stay at a Comfort Inn on the south side of Santa Fe. With an in-room microwave we stayed in and enjoyed the leftover fresh pasta from our lunch in Socorro.
Wildlife Sightings on a windy day
Turkey Vulture
Common Raven
Western Bluebird
Spotted Towhee
Greater roadrunner - New Mexico state bird
Day 4 - 4/18/18 Santa Fe - Carrizozo, NM
After a quiet, comfortable night out of the wind we had breakfast at the Comfort Inn. We were on road by 9, continuing north on I-25. Today’s route did not mingle with any in the book, “Arizona and New Mexico: 25 Scenic Side Trips”, but brought us to some interesting places. As comprehensive as the book is, both states have a wealth of places to visit, too many to include in any one travel guide.
After Taking exit 299 onto NM 50, we headed towards Pecos, but took a left on NM 63, heading up a side canyon along the Upper Pecos River, passing Monastery Lake, open to the public, to Lisboa Springs Fish Hatchery (State of NM). The grounds are beautiful, there is a self-guided tour of the facility which raises rainbow trout. Back into town we continued on NM 50, passing a site of a Civil War battle, Battle of Glorieta Pass. This battle, as well as the long cultural history of the area is interpreted at Pecos National Historical Park. We have visited this site previously, the cultural artifacts in the visitor center are very well presented.
https://www.nps.gov/peco/index.htm
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Pecos NHP display
Back on I-25 to Las Vegas we headed further north on NM 518 to the Mora National Fish Hatchery. Along with starting to visit more of the National Wildlife Refuges we have added the National Fish Hatcheries, as well. The drive was very scenic, heading through into the Sangre de Cristos Mountains. It is a very small unit, with friendly staff and few displays open to the public. They raise Gila Trout, a species native to the Gila Mountains, in southern New Mexico. Besides viewing some birds on the ponds we got a good view of a lizard on the grounds.
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Southwestern Fence Lizard
On our way to Mora we passed La Cueva National Historic District. We stopped on the way back to check out a few of the abandoned buildings, including an old grist mill dating to the 1870s, which served as a supply point along the Santa Fe Trail. This was fun discovery along the route.
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La Cueva Grist Mill
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La Cueva Mercantile Building
We were now planning to head south, to central New Mexico. Sometimes a mistake, or a missed exit can be a fun adventure. We intended to take US 54 south to Carrizozo, but we zipped by that. After checking the road atlas map and Google maps we headed south on NM 3. It was a fun drive through several traditional villages following the Pecos River at the beginning, eventually crossing grasslands back to US 54 and Carrizozo. The best part of the route was the lack of traffic and good pavement.
Our goal for the evening was Valley of Fires Recreation Area, a BLM site with a developed campground, a few miles west of Carrizozo. The wind seemed tolerable as we fixed dinner, but changed direction and got stronger as we settled in for the night.
https://www.blm.gov/visit/valley-of-fires
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View from campsite
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Yucca flower
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Trail through lava beds
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Sunset
Wildlife Sightings
Common Raven
Turkey Vulture
Mourning Dove
Canada Goose
Flycatcher, unknown
Lizard, unknown
Abert’s Squirrel
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Coyote
Pronghorn
Day 5 - 4/19/18 Carrizozo - Las Cruces, NM
What a night! The shifting wind broadsided the van - all night long! No cooking in camp this morning, not with Carrizozo only a few miles away. We had a yummy breakfast burrito at Raylee’s. Nearby is the town of White Oaks, a semi-ghost town from the 1880s, that we have meant to visit on previous trips in the area. For a windy day this was a good option, only a short drive away. The area includes a well-maintained cemetery, and several substantial buildings.
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-whiteoaks/
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White Oaks school
As we continued south on US 54, towards Alamogordo, we came back to Rick’s book, as part of SST #1 (p. 22). The side trip to Three Rivers Petroglyph Site (BLM), on page 35, is a MUST! On site is a small visitor center, picnic area and campsites. A short trail winds through some amazing petroglyphs, luckily the wind here was tolerable to be able to enjoy this walk.
https://www.blm.gov/visit/three-rivers-petroglyph-site
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Picnic/camping area
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Petroglyph
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Petroglyph
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Petroglyph
In Alamogordo we drove up to the New Mexico Museum of Space History, not to visit the museum, but to hike a short trail we had recently been told about, Indian Wells Trail. The trail starts from the east side of the museum’s parking lot and was an enjoyable walk. For those who are space enthusiasts, a visit to the museum would be worthwhile.
http://www.nmspacemuseum.org
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Trailhead
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Ocotillo bloom
As we headed east on US 70, and along SST #1, the wind returned! This made for a very quick visit to White Sands National Monument (NPS), page 35, basically to get the NPS passport stamp. However, some visitors were planning to rent the boards and go sledding on the gypsum dunes - not for me!
https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm
Continuing on US 70, towards Las Cruces, we took a side trip into the Organ Mountains - Desert Peaks National Monument (BLM). We had hoped to camp at Aquirre Springs Campground, within the monument, but the wind was continuing, so we chose to stay at Quality Inn & Suites. We did visit the Dripping Springs area which has a nice visitor center, picnic area and several trails. However, the wind also kept this visit short. The views in the area are beautiful.
https://www.blm.gov/programs/nationa...ional-monument
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Drippings Springs
On our way into Las Cruces we made a quick stop at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum for the El Camino Real del Tierra Adento National Historic Trail (NHT) passport stamp. As on previous visits a Great Horned Owl roosts over the entrance to the museum. He appears to be sleeping on the job as their ‘doorman’.
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Great Horned Owl
Before checking into our motel we went out to the rest area, off I-10 eastbound, to check out the giant roadrunner sculpture. We recently learned that the sculpture was made from recycled materials, initially constructed at the city landfill. It was eventually moved to the rest area and even has its own website. We have stopped at this rest area many times, noticed the sculpture, but never got close enough to realize from what it is constructed. Very cool!
http://olincalk.com/Olin_Calk.com/Th...r_Project.html
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Yep, those are crutches!
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Recycled Roadrunner
After a quick stop at a grocery store where we picked a roasted chicken and side dishes we retreated inside, out of the wind.
Wildlife Sightings
Desert Cottontail
Zebra-tailed lizard
Whiptail lizard
Barn Swallow
Western Meadowlark
House Finch
Western Bluebird
Common Raven
Great tailed grackle
Gamble’s Quail
Red tailed hawk
Swainson’s Hawk
American Crow
Western Kingbird
Mourning Dove
White-winged Dove
Great-horned Owl
Rock Pigeon
Day 6 - 4/20/18 Las Cruces - City of Rocks SP/Faywood, NM
Even stronger winds and cooler temperatures were predicted for today. We had decided this would be a good day to drive up to Gila Cliff Dwellings NM (NPS), as the drive into the area might be more protected. The original plan was to end the day in Silver City, however the night before I learned that there was a pro bike race, The Tour of the Gila, in town. Motel rooms were filled or overpriced. Today’s course was an open stretch of highway south of town, I can’t imagine that was any fun!
We decided to head west on I-10 to Deming, then north on US 180 to NM 61 to City of Rocks State Park. This put us back on a scenic side trip, SST #2, p. 37, actually on an alternate route. With it being Friday and the bike race in the area, we chose to secure a campsite early, then head up to the ruins. We were able to get a great site, on the east side of the rock features, a bit protected from the wind.
We continued on NM 61 to Mimbres, where we picked up The Trail of Mountain Spirits, p.43, to Lake Roberts and part of SST #2. This is a delightful drive which gets prettier and prettier. While stopping to get a picture of the sign I found these tiny daisies.
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Trail sign
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Stemless Townsend Daisy
Continuing on NM 15 we saw a few bike riders checking out the course for Sunday’s ride. Signs were along the route warning of the route coming through the area on Sunday, glad we will be out of the area. Once at the visitor center for Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument we tracked down some new NPS passport stamps before hiking the 1 mile trail to the ruins. This is a very enjoyable hike, first crossing the Gila River, then following a small stream before climbing up to the ruins.
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Artifacts in the visitor center
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Trail across the Gila River
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False Solomon Seal
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Ruins with people for scale
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Ruins
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Scarlet Hedgehog
We drove back the way we came, stopping in Mimbres for an early dinner at Restaurant del Sol for some tasty Mexican food. I thoroughly enjoyed their Huevos Rancheros, they serve breakfast all day. Most of the day the wind did not bother us, and our campsite was well protected from the strongest wind. We enjoyed watching some wildlife in the campsite.
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Gambel’s Quail
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Desert Cottontail
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City of Rocks State Park
Wildlife Sightings
Mule Deer
Desert Cottontail
Curved billed Thrasher
White-winged dove
Northern Harrier
Osprey
Gambel’s Quail
White-crowned sparrow
Northern Mockingbird
Common Raven
American Raven
Turkey Vulture
Eastern Starling
House Finch
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Day 7 - 4/21/18 City of Rocks SP - Pancho Villa SP, Columbus, NM
Great night camping, nice sunshine warming up the van nicely and NO wind! Finally got to enjoy an extended morning in camp.
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Rock Wren
Another day of travel not part of Rick’s book, but still exploring the backroads of New Mexico. We returned south on US 180 with a quick stop in Deming. I was surprised to run across the old Custom House, built in the mid 1800s, and off the main streets. It was the Port of Entry until 1900.
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Custom House - Deming
We went out to Spring Canyon State Park, SE of Deming, for a short, but steep hike on Lover’s Leap trail. This is a day use park, near Rockhoud State Park which does have camping. I had hoped to see some flowers, but it has been so dry this winter that I only had views to enjoy.
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Spring Canyon SP
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Longhorn in Spring Canyon SP
We ended the day further south in Columbus at Pancho Villa State Park, in Columbus, NM. New Mexico state parks have great campgrounds and are reasonably priced. Last night, at City of Rocks SP we paid $10 for a secluded site, with access to showers. At Pancho Villa we paid $14 for a site with water and electric and a very nice shade ramada. Besides having historical structures scattered throughout the camping area there was this colorful water tank near the group picnic area. This site interprets the invasion of the US by Mexico in 1916 as part of the Border War (1910-16).
http://www.stateparks.com/pancho_vil...ew_mexico.html
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Judge Advocate’s Office - Camp Furlong
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Water Tank Mural
Without wind we could enjoy a relaxing afternoon and evening in camp with some birdwatching.
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Yellow-rumped Warbler
Wildlife Sightings
Black tailed Jackrabbit
Desert Cottontail
Rock wren
White crowned sparrow
Curved bill thrasher
Greater Roadrunner
Northern Shrike
Red-tailed Hawk
Cactus wren
Broadtailed hummingbird
Black-throated sparrow
Canyon Towhee
White winged dove
Turkey Vulture
Common Raven
Swainson’s Hawk
Yellow-rumped warbler
Yellow warbler
Rufous-crowned sparrow
Western Kingbird
House Finch
Day 8 & 9 - 4/22-23/18 Coulmbus, NM to Portal, AZ to Tucson, AZ
Day 8 & 9 - 4/22 - 23/18
We woke up, eventually, to an overcast sky. Sounds strange, but this Desert Rat appreciates a cloudy morning. We took our time in camp before heading west into Arizona. Again another day not featured in Rick’s book, and not a lot to see before leaving New Mexico. However, we love NM 9 as a great alternate to I-10, which ends on I-10 between Las Cruces and El Paso. Along the way we crossed the Continental Divide hiking trail, 3,100 miles long, reaching from Mexico to Canada. The season for this National Scenic Trail is just beginning, however we did not see any hikers crossing the highway. The trail section through southern New Mexico, crossing NM 9, is desolate, at best.
http://continentaldividetrail.org
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CDT kiosk & trail
We continued back into Arizona arriving in Portal, on the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains, in time for an early lunch at the Portal Peak Lodge Store and Cafe. This store, restaurant, and lodge is ‘birding central’ for one of the premier birding hotspots in the United States. This was evident when we arrived at the campgrounds and found only one site available on a Sunday. Luckily it was one we had stayed at before and found it suitable for the van and bird watching. There are three campgrounds in Cave Creek Canyon, one that is primarily for tent campers, the other two are suitable for tent camping or small RVs/Vans. We set up camp in Stewart Campground, did some exploring, then settled in for a relaxing afternoon and morning. The stream, Cave Creek, was flowing nicely (for SE Arizona), and only a few steps from our campsite. The temperature was perfect for the evening and morning, and great for sleeping.
http://www.birdandhike.com/Bird/Favo...al/_Portal.htm
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Cave Creek Canyon
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Coues White-tailed Deer
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Hermit Thrush
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Rivoli’s (formerly Magnificient) Hummingbird
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Cave Creek
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Morning light
We left the campsite by late Monday morning and drove north to pick up I-10 near San Simeon. From there it was a direct drive on I-10 back home.
Note: One more installment of this Road Trip Report will be made.
Wildlife Sightings
Coyote
Coues White-tailed deer
Western Kingbird
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Northern Shrike
Northern Mockingbird
Hawk, ?
Gambel’s Quail
Greater Roadrunner
Northern Cardinal
Lesser Goldfinch
Turkey Vulture
Canyon Towhee
House Sparrow
Mexican Jay
Black and White Warbler
Rivoli’s Hummingbird
Bridled Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Hairy Woodpecker - heard
Hermit thrush
Canyon Wren
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Bushtit
Common Raven
Extended Just in Time- Friday, 4/27/18, Tucson - Chiricahua National Monument
We returned to Tucson on Monday, 4/23 from our week long New Mexico trip with plans to head back to the Chiricahua Mountains, the west side for a long weekend. I have been volunteering with Parks in Focus, a program for middle school-aged students based on photography - kids, cameras and nature. Their weekend camping trip was planned for Chiricahua National Monument. We went down a day ahead and ended up returning to Rick’s book along SST #5 ( p. 75) & 6, (p. 89).
https://www.udall.gov/OurPrograms/Pa...WhatIsPIF.aspx
Near Benson, on I-10, we headed south on AZ 90. Before reaching Sierra Vista we saw an unusual sight along the highway. Southern Arizona is known for its dry climate, which makes it ideal to ‘mothball’ military planes. This one appeared to be leaving Fort Huachuca and heading north on AZ 90.
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Airplane
After grabbing lunch in Sierra Vista and several photos of buildings which had housed post offices over the years we drove east on Charleston Road (AZ 82), crossing the San Pedro River at Fairbanks Historic Townsite. This is part of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (BLM), which has trailheads leading to a number of historic buildings. From this area there is a short trail leading to some petroglyphs.
https://www.blm.gov/visit/san-pedro
Once in Tombstone we stopped for quick picture of the current Marshall’s Office, which we recently discovered had previously housed a post office.
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Tombstone Marshalls Office - former post office location
In Tombstone we followed AZ 80 (old US 80) to Bisbee where we took a photo of the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum, which had been an early location of a post office.
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Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum
On our way out of Bisbee we went through Warren, one of several small communities associated with Bisbee and the local mining history.
https://westernmininghistory.com/towns/arizona/warren/
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Warren, AZ
We set up camp in Bonita Campground within Chiricahua National Monument, a favorite park and campground, and great birdwatching.
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Yellow-eyed Junco - the evil eye?
Wildlife Sightings
Coues White-tailed Deer
Rock Squirrel
Least Chipmunk
Great-tailed Grackle
Red-tailed Hawk
Western Meadowlark
American Robin
Mexican Jay
Acorn Woodpecker
Yellow-eyed Junco
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Extended Just in Time - Saturday, 4/28 - Sunday, 4/29/18, Chiricahua National Monumen
Rick’s book gives good information about Chiricahua NM on pgs. 78-80, as part of SST #5.
Before the kids arrived by van from Tucson we enjoyed a quiet morning in camp.
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Apache Plume
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Desert Penstemon
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Red-shafted Flicker
Things picked up by noon with a visit to the Visitor Center, group photo at the entrance sign, lunch and setting up camp. They also had plenty of time to be kids, exploring the creek bed and campsites. A lot of these kids have never been camping or spent much time in nature, so the photography angle is as much about taking pictures, as getting outside.
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...916006982.jpeg
Kids hanging out
Late afternoon we, 13 kids and 5 other adults, drove up the 8 mile road for a sunset hike to Sugarloaf Lookout. The hike is 1.9 miles round trip with about a 500 foot elevation gain. All made it to the top with plenty of time to set their cameras for sunset lighting. My photos -
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...916158701.jpeg
Sugarloaf Lookout
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Evening light
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...g?w=361&zoom=2
Sunset
An added treat was a full moon to guide us back down in the dark. As a volunteer I took the option of excusing myself from dinner preparation and evening activities and took it easy at my campsite, with my husband.
On Sunday morning, after helping the kids pack up the camping gear, we headed back up the road for a hike in the Echo Canyon Grottos. The hike is not long, a little over 1 mile round trip, with lots of rock scrambling opportunities. It was fun to watch the kids explore while snapping lots of photos.
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...66.jpeg?w=750]
Kids exploring
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...g?w=271&zoom=2
View
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Legs!
Echo Canyon Grottos
By 1PM we were back at the parking lot and the kids were on their way back to Tucson. We took advantage of a quiet afternoon and evening, with perfect weather and plenty of birds to enjoy the area.
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Acorn Woodpecker
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Western Tanager
Wildlife Sightings
Rock Squirrel
Least Chipmunk
Bat
Yellow-eyed Junco
Chipping Sparrow
Lazuli Bunting
Bridled Titmouse
Common Poorwill, heard
Hutton’s Vireo
Lucy’s Warbler
Western Tanager
Wild Turkey
Bewick’s Wren
Scott’s Oriole
Yellow Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Western Bluebird
Common Raven
Extended Just in Time - Saturday, 4/28 - Sunday, 4/29/18, Chiricahua National Monumen
Rick’s book gives good information about Chiricahua NM on pgs. 78-80, as part of SST #5.
Before the kids arrived by van from Tucson we enjoyed a quiet morning in camp.
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...910317510.jpeg
Apache Plume
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...915986410.jpeg
Desert Penstemon
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...g?w=595&zoom=2
Red-shafted Flicker
Things picked up by noon with a visit to the Visitor Center, group photo at the entrance sign, lunch and setting up camp. They also had plenty of time to be kids, exploring the creek bed and campsites. A lot of these kids have never been camping or spent much time in nature, so the photography angle is as much about taking pictures, as getting outside.
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...916006982.jpeg
Kids hanging out
Late afternoon we, 13 kids and 5 other adults, drove up the 8 mile road for a sunset hike to Sugarloaf Lookout. The hike is 1.9 miles round trip with about a 500 foot elevation gain. All made it to the top with plenty of time to set their cameras for sunset lighting. My photos -
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...916158701.jpeg
Sugarloaf Lookout
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...916128108.jpeg
Evening light
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...g?w=361&zoom=2
Sunset
An added treat was a full moon to guide us back down in the dark. As a volunteer I took the option of excusing myself from dinner preparation and evening activities and took it easy at my campsite, with my husband.
On Sunday morning, after helping the kids pack up the camping gear, we headed back up the road for a hike in the Echo Canyon Grottos. The hike is not long, a little over 1 mile round trip, with lots of rock scrambling opportunities. It was fun to watch the kids explore while snapping lots of photos.
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...66.jpeg?w=750]
Kids exploring
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...g?w=271&zoom=2
View
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...943.jpeg?w=750
Legs!
Echo Canyon Grottos
By 1PM we were back at the parking lot and the kids were on their way back to Tucson. We took advantage of a quiet afternoon and evening, with perfect weather and plenty of birds to enjoy the area.
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...657.jpeg?w=750
Acorn Woodpecker
https://jrpfmount.files.wordpress.co...g?w=565&zoom=2
Western Tanager
Wildlife Sightings
Rock Squirrel
Least Chipmunk
Bat
Yellow-eyed Junco
Chipping Sparrow
Lazuli Bunting
Bridled Titmouse
Common Poorwill, heard
Hutton’s Vireo
Lucy’s Warbler
Western Tanager
Wild Turkey
Bewick’s Wren
Scott’s Oriole
Yellow Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Western Bluebird
Common Raven
Extended Just in Time, Monday, April 30. Chiricahua NM - Tucson, AZ
We enjoyed another quiet morning, with the birds, in camp.
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Hermit Thrush
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Yellow-rumped Warbler
Next stop - Fort Bowie National Historic Site, which Rick writes about in his book, pps. 77-78. I love this place and today was no different. As I started the walk, 1-1/2 miles into the site, I was amazed with the variety of wildflowers along the way. I think I saw at least 20 different species, the most wildflowers I have seen in SE Arizona during this very dry spring!
https://www.nps.gov/fobo/index.htm
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Shaggy Dwarf Morning Glory
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Fleabane
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Ft. Bowie cemetery
Once at the visitor center, I met up with my husband who had driven into the back way, and the shorter walk to the visitor center. It is promoted as the handicap entrance, however anyone can park in the area. It is a shorter walk, but not paved and not wheelchair accessible. There is a number to call from the parking area for assistance, if needed.
The back road out, meeting up with Apache Pass Road, we saw this Buddhist retreat center. When I got home I looked up the website and found it is open to the public. The cabins look great, and the location certainly is.
http://diamondmountain.org
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Desert Mountain Retreat Center
Before you reach Bowie and I-10 is a road we have noticed in the past, but bypassed-Happy Camp Canyon Rd. Recently we learned that there is a picnic and dispersed campground at the end of the road. We drove up and explored the area and will return in the future.
https://www.blm.gov/visit/indian-bre...ks-picnic-area
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Indian Bread Rocks Recreation Area
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Indian Bread Rocks sign
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Thurber’s Penstemon
We continued into Bowie and enjoyed lunch at Rafter G’s Cafe. Our plan was to stay out another night, up on Mt Graham, off Rick’s SST #3. It is off US 191, between Safford and Willcox. There is no specific tourist site, just forest. We checked out the campground at 7600 ft, explored a bit higher up the road and determined it was too windy and too cold for another night out. And, we were only 2 hours from home! This storm front brought snow to Central and Northern Arizona.
Another great trip exploring New Mexico and Arizona. Even though many of the places along the way were repeat visits, Rick’s book added some helpful tips and information. No matter your timeline or travel method his book will enhance your trip immensely! Now, plan your trip!
Wildlife Sightings
Rock Squirrel
Greater Roadrunner
Chipping Sparrow
American Robin
White-breasted Nuthatch
Acorn Woodpecker
Mexican Jay
Common Raven
Turkey Vulture
Hermit Thrush
Hummingbird, unknown
