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| Hiking | 7.82 Miles |
1,597 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.82 Miles | 5 Hrs 19 Mns | | 1.89 mph |
| 1,597 ft AEG | 1 Hour 11 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | After packing up from our weekend camp/hike ABC event over at Cochise Stronghold Indian TH, Wendy and I were the only ones to opt for day two hiking options. Those folks who didn't join us would surely be disappointed they didn't do this hike. If this isn't on your "to do" it should be!
What an unexpected surprise. Less than 2 miles in I felt like this scenery rivaled the Supes and by the end, not only did it rival it, the trail conditions were 2/3rds terrific so that would make it an A, with water it would easily have been an A+++++++++++! The trail condition is so nice as you walk up the first mile of old FR 687A through the golden grasslands and eventually flanked by Arizona Cypress and other trees on your right side. As you start up in the canyon, you hike through tiers of the box canyons as you make your way deeper into the mountains. And what beautiful mountains these are  .
I found myself astonished more people hadn't done this hike as I ogled at this grand scenery imagining what it would be like with water as you could see where there had been deep pools. You hike along this creek/drainage area for awhile as the trail creeps up. It is also very lush with lots of various trees including ash, cypress, manzanita, juniper, oak and other trees  Wendy could tell you about.
Somewhere along here we had a morning snack before tackling the last couple miles. There were wind gusts off and on all day. It played havoc with my video as I have to edit all the sound. It was also slightly overcast so the color wasn't super bright for the camera lens but fine for Wendy and me. We hit some nice part of the trail again as we headed more east. Far, far ahead and high we spotted the grey tailings of the mine. It's hard to believe we would be just below that when we reached the mine area.
Once again, there was a drainage we would hike along except now it was on our right. It had lush beautiful trees as well. We continued at our delight in hiking this trail.... until we got to the rockier and slightly steeper sections but it really wasn't bad. One sure had to wonder in certain areas how wide the road wasn't for the mining operation. The road that was left was sure filling in nicely. At this point we were anxious to get to the road that was flatter in terrain as we had to switchback up for our last push to the mine. And of course, the nearer and higher you get, the expanded views to the SW are something to awe at  !
We finally made it to the Abril mine remains which were totally cool. It was pretty windy initially when we were up there so we tried to find a lunch spot that would deter some of that breeziness. After lunch we wandered around the sight and partially up the scree hill on the right. If we had more time and hadn't done the 11 miler the day before; we may have taken this on. So it's gonna be one of those "next times" but when there's water in the drainages and creeks.
We had seen shack remnants from above and wanted to see those on our way back. Little did we know that we had walked right past them on our way up  . Not much to see really but it adds to the aura of the place. Oh, just as we left the mine area we could hear a rattler, tried to find it, but without success. Of course coming down and hiking back was as spectacular as the coming in; except for the occasional heavy breathing on the way up of course.
On the nicer portion of the trail, Wendy was so gleeful she was hiking donuts  with her hiking poles.... ya, the trail is that nice and wide in sections. We passed this one boulder that looked as if it had flipped upside down from wherever it fell because it had a scoop out of it that could only have been caused by water but NOT from its current position  . Further down the trail Wendy had me pet a Velvet Ash ; that was so cool! The light was lighter now and we would step out to the points along the way that were high above the creek bed. It looks like there could be some awesome pour-overs.
As we got closer to the bottom of the canyon we encountered those 4 hikers from VT we had seen the day before on the Stronghold Trail. They were probably in their 60s and 70s. The one old fella with the black hat didn't look like he could go much further. I think the younger couple probably continued up just a bit (per our recommendation) while the older couple waited in the shade of the tree. Just ahead they would get to see the house-size boulders and a chance to see some of the Valley in the first box canyon.
This is kind of one of those hikes that doesn't need to come to an end. It's just so magical and full of life even as we once again walked in the valley of golden grass with various of the Dragoon Mountains rising high above us with their beautiful green decor. Yep, a hike you all must do if you can. The road out to the TH is not that bad on the 687 and you can do Council Rocks too.
You can make the hike longer and steeper by climbing up to the adits. Or if there is water, you could climb down and check it out or if not too much water, you can probably hike up the drainage. The rock formations and mountains caused me to be breathless by their beauty. LOVED it and a pretty nice trail for most of the way really helped too.
Part 1 heading up toward the drainage: http://youtu.be/VcVBSYIMrOw
Part 2 heading deeper into the mountains: http://youtu.be/U0DfChrt6as
Part 3 to, at and from the Abril mine remains: http://youtu.be/r7Q_EKKS1IY
Part 4 heading down the trail (Wendy does her donuts, boulder that's upside down): http://youtu.be/AmYT5x9apDA
Part 5 continuing down the trail and through the golden grasses of the valley: http://youtu.be/_z3Hyamxt1c |
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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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