Patagonia – Sierra Vista

Trip report by Ron Finger

April 6 and 7, 2002

We met Saturday morning April 6th at the McDonald’s in Ahwatukee. In attendance were Jack and Sandy Knight, Phil and Marilyn LaRussa, Ed and Lonnie Weinstein, and Ron and Jan Finger. The “Senior Tour.” We headed south on I-10 to I-19 and Exit 48 at Arivaca Junction. Saturday’s objective was the Bull Springs Road trail over the Santa Rita Mountains to SR82 south of Patagonia. The information and directions for this trail came from Charles Wells’ Guide To Arizona 4-Wheel Drive Trails. It was a very blustery day with a lot of dust blowing across I-10 on the way to Tucson.

  Jack led us off the highway onto Bull Springs Road. The Forest Service had recently worked the trail with a bulldozer so the going was easy. There were a few hills descending into washes and climbing out again that required 4WD.

Ed tops a hill.

Photo by Jack Knight

  There were numerous abandoned and wrecked vehicles along the trail. There was an occasional wild flower in bloom but they were few and far between with the dry spring we are having.

Thistle and Butterfly

Photo by Ron Finger

  We stopped for a break and I walked off the trail to look at a thistle blossom. It was still windy and a butterfly was hanging onto the blossom for dear life and seemed to care little that I was so close. I managed the above photo when the wind momentarily subsided.

  Lunch Break

Photo by Ron Finger

  There were a number of abandoned mines along the trail and one of the points of interest was the remains of the adobe walls of the Alto Camp Post office. It was operated until 1933 and once served a community of several hundred people. I spoke with some other visitors who said the Bull Springs Trail was nearly impassable not long ago. I guess we would have had more fun if we had done this a few weeks earlier.

  Alto Camp Post Office ruins

Photo by Jack Knight

  The group at the Post Office

Photo by Ron Finger

  We had to cross the Patagonia River to reach SR82 and head into Sierra Vista where we would spend the night. It was the only water we saw all day. The washes we crossed were all dry.

  Patagonia River

Photo by Ron Finger

  On Sunday morning we met Marty Sindelar, President, and Troy Allshouse of the Range Riders 4 Wheelers who had graciously offered to lead us on some trials in their area. We met for breakfast at the Landmark Café in Sierra Vista where the Range Riders hold their meetings. It was excellent. No further explanation of why they hold their meeting there was needed. After getting acquainted and discussing trail options we decided to head to Fort Hauchuca where we would do the Hauchuca Canyon Trail and return down the Blacktail Canyon Trail.

  Host Marty Sindelar, his wife Wendy and daughter Cheryl.

Fort Huachuca was occupied by two troops of United States Cavalry, commanded by Captain S. M. Whitside, on March 3, 1877. Marty led us by the parade grounds which are pretty much as they were in the 1800’s. On one side were barracks and on the other were houses occupied by officers. Both groups are on the National Register of Historic Places. Several of the officer’s homes are said to be haunted. As we proceeded to Hauchuca Canyon we spotted some deer and Javelina. Marty said the Fort was a good spot for wildlife viewing.

  We stopped here to air down.

Photo by Ron Finger

  The trails in the mountains of Fort Hauchuca are pretty much up one mountainside and down another.

  One of our first climbs

Photo by Ron Finger

  Several of the hills had harder options. Most of us made the hard way but a few tried without success and had to take the easier route. On the upper ridges that are the boundary of the fort you can see for miles. Unfortunately the windy conditions and dust of the previous day made for hazy views.

  If you look just to the right of the center of this picture you can see Parker Canyon Lake.  The mountains in the background and the lighter areas at their base are located in Mexico.

Photo by Ron Finger

  If you go up eventually you must come down. As we left the scenic ridge, headed for Blacktail Canyon we encountered a steep enough downgrade that some considered an alternate route. Everyone decided to go for it and off we went. There was a great view but the drivers missed it.

  Phil and Marilyn negotiate the hill.

Photo by Ron Finger

  Ron and Jan coming down.

Photo by Jack Knight

  There was an obstacle that was a bit of a problem before we exited Blacktail Canyon. I was in the rear and could not see this but Marty came close to rolling his Grand Cherokee with Wendy and Cheryl on board. There is rocky washed out area that took some care to negotiate. Marty followed a line he had used successfully in the past and when his rear wheels encountered some lose material the rear of his vehicle slide down into a deep washed out hole so that he was sideways to the downgrade. He was able to regain control but he gave Wendy and Cheryl quite a thrill.

  Jack heads down the chute

Photo by Sandy Knight

  In the next photo Marty is standing on the right guiding us through. As I understand it, his line was to the left and when he got to near where he is standing in this picture his rear end slid into the hole putting him sideways to the trail.

  Phil heads into the obstacle

Photo by Ron Finger

  Troy’s 85 CJ7 made it look easy.

Photo by Ron Finger

  I was the last in line. Marty is still guiding from the area the rear of his Grand Cherokee slid into the hole.

Photo by Janet Finger

  We left Fort Hauchuca after lunch and Troy lead us to the Ghost Town of Duquesne. If anyone is interested in owning their own ghost town this one is for sale. Troy is a “rock hound” and he showed us an area where you can pick up crystals right off the surface or with very little scratching into the earth and stone. Everyone left with some nice crystal specimens. Along the way Marty and Troy showed us some nice camping areas where their club holds an annual July camp out. From Duquense we headed back to Patagonia and on to Sonoita where we parted company with the Range Riders and headed for I-10 and home.

  Everyone had a great weekend. We extend our thanks to Marty, Wendy, Cheryl and Troy for their hospitality. We hope we can return the favor some day.

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