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Please click here for Part One
The Vision
It was late in the afternoon when we turned into Lost Dutchman State Park. The staff at the entrance office was very helpful and we soon had a place to overnight. We were very pleased the sites were well separated from one another and allowed some privacy. Trails were accessible right from our campsite and we walked well after dark.
Reading the park’s brochure about the area trails, the Lady quickly announced we were doing the Siphon Draw Trail in the morning before we left.
As we were fussing with our gear at a trail intersection, we were passed by a young, fit, athletic looking couple. The woman was all attired in one of those tight athletic outfits you see in advertisements. We didn’t pay much attention other than notice their passing and they seemed on a mission to get a good workout. They were out of sight ahead when we returned to hiking. The Lady wanted to get up into Siphon Draw, she was setting a good pace, brisk but one we could keep at all day long. We’ve been doing this for a lifetime. The couple came into view ahead. I began to notice the young woman glancing over her shoulder at us and increasing their pace to stay ahead. We were, in no way, intentionally pushing them. We continued to gain. The over the shoulder glances and faster pace also continued. I started to get concerned about their foolishness. That young woman did not want to be passed by her grandparents and could blow a gasket trying to stay ahead.
“Julie,” I said. “You have noticed what that young woman is up to ahead, haven’t you? She is determined we are not passing her.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed. I’m not pushing. Our pace has not changed.”
Their gaskets blew shortly after we pulled up behind them. They pulled to the side. They were out of breath and could not reply when we offered a hearty hello as we passed.
We entered into the Superstition Wilderness.
The maintained trail ends at the canyon mouth. A rugged use trail continues up. This is a popular route to the top of the Flatiron, a popular destination that, apparently, earns the summitter a measure of bragging rights. The trail was busy this morning and we passed several more groups of hikers.
The views are grand, but the terrain demands attention. I had a sense of growing unease being among so many people whose skill and ability concerned me.
We soon were climbing the long steep chute.
We reached the top and scrambled over to the side to get out of the way of moving people and possible dislodged rocks from above.
One young woman came up, struggling to keep up with her friend who was more interested in showing her strength than making sure her companion was doing well and enjoying the experience. The Lady quickly engaged the leader in conversation. I quietly talked with the one struggling, offering suggestions on how to move safely, slowly, and gently asking if she was comfortable enough to continue. She wanted to continue and we both wished them well.
“I need new light hiking shoes!” the Lady told me as she took a seat next to me. “These soles are more worn than I thought. I’m fine up here but it’d be nice to have more grip. Let’s stop at the REI in Tucson and buy new shoes.” We started down.
We stopped at the mouth of the canyon and used the Lady’s see mores to watch three bighorn ewes across from us and pointed them out to others.
We reached our cousins in Green Valley at the appointed time, 3:30 in the afternoon, decked out in our new shoes.
We’ve shared Thanksgiving with Keith and Kathleen enough that it’s become tradition that Julie and I and Keith go for a walk up in Madera Canyon on Thanksgiving morning.
Arizona is very dry. This is the first time we’ve seen Madera Creek without water.
It was still quite a wonderful place.
The main trail is paved. There are bridges at the creek crossings, and well-placed benches along the trail. We noticed a woman and her dog sitting on a bench ahead. We greeted her as we drew close.
“I’ve been listening to your talk about the election,” she said.
I don’t exactly recall our initial response but her gentle demeanor let us know we were with a kindred spirit. She introduced herself.
“I’m Eve. This is my first trip up here alone since I lost my other dog.” She continued with her story. She’s from Wisconsin where she has a small farm. We shared that Keith and I are both from Wisconsin and that Julie is from Illinois.
“Do you know of Heather Cox Richardson? She asked.
We replied that we all subscribe and read her Letters from an American.
“She really helps me understand what’s going on.”
We added our agreement.
“I’m a shaman,” Eve stated.
“Why did this election travesty happen?” the Lady asked.
“Never ask, ‘Why?’” Eve admonished. “Asking why leads nowhere.” Eve went on. “I’ve had a vision. I saw two years of self-annihilation and then things will begin to turn around.”
We enjoyed our talk with Eve, thanked her for speaking with us, and said goodbye.
We continued the loop trail, made the turn at the high point, and started our way back to the trailhead. It was still early so we sat for a while at a spot with two benches facing each other. We talked about the coincidences with meeting Eve, her being from Wisconsin, having a small farm, reading Heather Cox Richardson. As if on cue, Eve came down the trail and asked if she could sit with us. She was a remarkable, calming, presence. “May I give you all a hug?” Eve asked before she departed. We all embraced.
As we finished our walk and approached the trailhead, I brought up the possibility that Eve was a spirit, that no one else on the trail saw her, and we will find no sign of her at the trailhead, although she left the benches only a moment before us.
We saw no sign of Eve at the trailhead.
Also, now a tradition, we spent the next day at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge near Arivaca.
Thank you, Keith and Kathleen, for sharing another wonderful Thanksgiving with us!
We headed east from Green Valley and made our way to Chiricahua National Monument. We had reserved a campsite in the campground for two nights after one night in a dispersed spot close by. We arrived before noon and the campground host said it was fine to make ourselves at home in our campsite prior to check in time. After, with plenty of daylight remaining in the day, we headed up to the trailheads at the end of Bonita Canyon Road.
Our first hike was up to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain with its fire lookout.
The view north provides a great view of Cochise Head, a striking profile of Cochise himself.
We very much appreciated the informative signs on the area’s geology.
It’s a hop, skip, and a jump back down the trail and through the tunnel.
We then went up to the end of the road and hiked out to and beyond the grottoes to the Hailstone Trail, making a pleasant loop.
The grottoes are dark spaces between the towering rocks at their base.
The rock towers of Chiricahua are wondrous.
This was a delightful hike, a nice way to spend the afternoon.
We did not know it yet, but we were in for a surprise that night in the campground. Chiricahua is noted as a spectacular place for dark skies.
Upon arrival at the campground earlier, the host briefed us not to hang any kind of lighting or strings of lights in the trees. After dark we learned there is a new trend involving concern over rodent damage to vehicles when sitting. The trend is to lay strings of led lights under your vehicle and trailers and leave them lit 24 hours a day. It was like being in a city. The lights were almost blinding. More than half the people in the campground had lights under their vehicles. Julie closed the sideliner windows on her side at night to block the light from the two host sites beside us. For our night walks, we moved out onto the main road and walked far up canyon. The blazing starlight was incredible. We were there during the new moon. Too bad there was not a chance of seeing stars from our campsite.
The next morning, we were back up at the high trailhead to hike the Big Loop. We added a little extra mileage to that described in the link.
The out and back to Inspiration Point is well worth it. We were inspired.
The trail heads west along the ridge.
The views got better and better.
The Heart of Rocks Loop was our favorite portion of this day’s hike.
“That looks like a camel!” I told the Lady.
“The sign around the corner, that you can’t see, says, ‘Camel Rock,’” she answered.
We picked this spot for a longer snack break.
There were several other named formations, such as Camel Rock, but we want to leave those a surprise for you when you visit.
After the Heart of Rocks Loop is a long and steep drop into
Rhyolite Canyon.
At the intersection it was time for the equally long and steep climb back up.
Most of the trailwork you see in the photos was done by the Civil Conservation Corps, a major social program that helped save so many Americans during the Great Depression.
After the fun climb, we were back into the grottoes.
We were so pleased with our time spent at Chiricahua except for the over lit campground. With no lights - we almost felt naked – we feared our poor new truck would be the target of choice by mischievous critters.
What happened next?
Our adventure continues. Please click here for Part Three.
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