Feb 6, 2017; BobF, Don & Suzanne; 4.2 miles RT on in-and-out hike Suzanne's picture numbers begin with P1000xxxxxx Don's picture numbers begin with IMG_4xxxxxxx Bob's picture numbers begin with DSC_3xxxxxxx
1 The green GPS track is the in-and-out hke we did on the Middlemarch Canyon Trail. The blue track that attaches the green track, shows part of our travels up Middlemarch Road turning left onto FR 4388/FR 277 to reach the trailhead. We parked at the point of where the green track and the blue track meet.
2 The arrow shows the point where we parked Bob's Lexus. We hiked north from this spont to where the green track meets the red track (Cochise Stronghold Trail) and then returned to the car.
3 We stop at Middlemarch Road pass and look north toward the point (just out of sight) where we will turn off on FR 4388/FR 277 which goes to the trailhead. We are in the boonies.
4 There are several mining artifacts along FR 4388/FR 277 as we proceed to the trailhead. These stone walls are the remains of an ore crusher plant. It now provides shade for free range cattle.
5 Just beyond the ore crusher, the road has a short, steep sections that goes down to some slag piles and then on to the trailhead. Bob OKs descending this section. We'll deal with how to get back up later.
6 Looking back at the remains of the ore crusher plant before we go down the steep incline.
7 We get nearly to the trailhead and park the car. Looks like Suzanne is taking a phone call.
8 There is a very nice section of the trail, but soon it turns to a washed out, steep mess.
9 Lot of erosion here.
10 There are some streams that cross the trail. This one looks like it has some mining wastes in it.
11 Looking the other way.
12 The beautiful vistas as we get higher up.
13 Looking back south. You can see Middlwmarch Road in the distance.
14 Looking north into the "Stronghold" which is what Cochise's hideaway is called. If you look closely, you can just see Half-Moon tank down in the valley ahead.
15 Bob gets a closeup of Holf-Moon tank with his telephoto lens.
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18 A hoodoo above us.
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21 We make it to the Cochise Stronghold trail in good time. Now we turnaround to start our hike back to the Lexus.
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23 A very short distance from the Cochise Stronghold Trail, we find a shady spot to have a snack.
24 Snacks are over and we remount our packs and begin heading for the car.
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27 We get to the pass that we came over, and head back down the other side.
28 Don looks a little tired here.
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30 OK we make to the trailhead on the south end of the trail, just up the road from where we parked.
31 Bob and Suzanne get to the Lexus.
32 We have just about everything buttoned up, ready for the drive back to Middlemarch Road and on to Benson for some great Mexican food.
33 Bob engages the 4W low with the transfer case locked, so he can get up this short steep, rocky part. Turns out to be a piece of cake. Click on the > button to see the video
34 On the drive back to Phoenix, we are treated to a beautiful sunset. Don took this picture of Picacho Peak out the front windshield.
35 Suzanne took this one out the open side window, also of Picacho Peak from the east side.
