Granary/Canyon Hike on August 25, 2011

     Eight of the local Rodeo/Portal Hiking group met this day to hike up and check out a Ancient Native American Granary in a small cave at the base of a large bluff in the Chiricahua Mountains. It was a morning hike so as to beat the heat that was to come in the early afternoon. The 8 hikers and one small dog made it up to the granary.

Founding checking out the granary. Two hikers and the dog went back to the house we staged at while the other six myself included ventured on up the canyon to look at other sites and views of the canyon. At the mouth of the canyon were large rocks with pictographs on them. On up in the canyon were steep slopes and lush grasses and wildflowers. The early morning light made for a beautiful hike with stunning view of both the canyon and valley to the east!! Here are some sights and views!

At the upper end of our hike we found a beautify large cave. No pictographs in it but something big lives there because of a large disturbance on the cave floor where it lays! Fortunately it was not home so we were able to photograph inside for "Caves Beautiful"! :)  

We all will have to come back to this canyon again as we only explored a tiny portion of it and there are yet more interesting and beautiful sights to see there I'm sure!! - Roger

August Sunset 8/20/11

     One of the many things about living here where I do is the abundance of beautiful sites in nature. Perhaps the most common and spectacular sights are the sunsets here. Nature often pulls out all the colors of the palette when she finishes off a day here. Painting the sky as no other artist can, we can only gaze in awe at the beauty that is created with shapes of the clouds and the constantly changing array of colors as the sun sets and darkness come to cover the landscape at the end of the day.
   It is said that the Southwestern United States has some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. I'd have to agree!! Here are a series of pictures from just one nights sunset a few days ago. Enjoy!! -Roger

August 18th McCord Trail Hike

Picture by Pat Owens

The local hiking group from Rodeo and Portal ventured out once again yesterday on another Thursday hike. This time the group hiked up the side of the Chiricahua Mountains using the McCord Trail. Because of all the recent rains the trial was very overgrown with native annual wildflowers and grasses. A good thing with just having major fire in the area this spring and summer. So nice to see the forest greening up once again!

The hikers went from the Portal Post Office up along an old roadway to the McCord Trail then from there proceeded up the side of the mountain on that trail. Because of all the recent monsoon rains the mountainside as mentioned was covered with a rich growth of native annual wildflowers and grasses. Such a nice sight to see following the recent destructive forces of the wildfire earlier this spring and summer. Growth was so lush in parts that the trail was hard to follow but after some wrong turns we eventually made it to our destination, a natural rock shelter that was once used by ancient Native Americans. On the underside of the main ceiling rock were many pictograph's. (Go to Chiricahua Sky Islands blog on my links, to see all the pictures of them taken by DiAnn). The group enjoyed the break and took group pics and just relaxed enjoying the spectacular views from there.

Following our time enjoying the view we began our trek back down the mountain. Once reaching the bottom some of us spent time relaxing by the bird feeders at the Cave Creek Ranch. Cave Creek Ranch is a very beautiful location to stay while visiting the Portal area. I highly recommend it if you like beautiful settings and wildlife.  Also enjoy the many other places to stay in the Rodeo/Portal area as well.  From there we walked on back to where we parked our vehicles and as we did we could see and hear the thunderstorm over the mountains coming alive with the sounds of thunder rumbling through the canyon as the storm cloud continued to rapidly grow and spread across the mountains and valley area. It would later drench many parts of the mountains and the surrounding area with  much needed rain.

Come visit and stay at our many resorts and B&B's in both Rodeo and Portal. Visit our galleries, especially mine! :), and the shops and restaurants too!!  - Roger

All photos unless marked are by Roger McKasson.

August 11, 2011 Chiricahua Mounains Hike

     The local hiking group was back hiking the forest trails in the Chiricahua Mountains on Thursday. 13 humans and one dog hikers on this trek. The hike was focused on the Basin Trail to Ash Springs and divided at the end so some could retrieve vehicles while a few others walked on out the last two miles to where we all originally staged from.
     It was nice to see the forest continuing to recover nicely from the recent Horseshoe 2 Fire earlier this spring and summer. Lots of grasses and flowers sprouting and blooming along with the trees putting out new growth.  The smell of the fire has left and a new freshness is filling the air for the hikers to breath in. Hiking in the area with its plants, clear running creeks, and captivating views is a real treat for this artist's eye as well as those who look at these things from their own unique perspectives. Wildlife is also continuing to return as well with lots of birds, lizards, and even one small Rock Rattlesnake on the trail.
    Though the campgrounds are not yet open to the public most of the many trails are and people should return and once again experience what this forest has to offer the artist, photographer, or those into the various life sciences that can be seen and studied here once again.
Enjoy!! - Roger