Carr Peak in October

I woke up feeling so tired after yesterday's Bisbee Stair Climb, but once at the lower trailhead parking area met Big Steve and Paul and off we were to drive the six miles to the 6800' upper parking area. It was 60F at 7am but it had warmed somewhat an hour later and 4000' higher. I wore blue shorts and felt fine. I never needed to done my windbreaker.

This was a crowded hike! An army family of five were just ahead of us in the parking lot, and they met us 10 minutes after we got to the peak. On the way down we met nine more people.

The aspens were already passed the prime. The yellows and oranges we saw from the upper campground were maples, elms and some oaks. The wildflowers from last month were long gone and the dried and brittle stems and seedheads were all that remained.

There was no breeze at the peak, and it was there that I told both guys that I'm going to try to hike this peak once a month and record the monthly changes of the mountain. Last month we had the colorful wildflowers. This time we heard the hawks soaring above us, chased by smaller birds. What will next month bring? Cool winds, bald trees and more raptors? I guess I'll find out! Perhaps I'll hike up Carr on Thanksgiving weekend, after stuffing ourselves in Bisbee at the Grand Hotel.

The army husband we met at the peak was an avid Grand Canyon hiker, doing the Rim-to-Rim at least four times a year. "We use this trail as a training hike, starting at the Mesquite Inn off the highway at 5am" he told us.
"Wow, that's a long hike!" I replied. "Don't you encounter illegals that early?" Hiking from the Mesquite Inn steak restaurant to Carr Peak and back is 26 miles!
"Oh yes, we hike with our guns!" he answered. "Last time we hiked that route we encountered a few bears, we almost shot them," he added.

As we rounded back down to the Carr trail, we could see and hear a USBP helicopter hovering along the Crest Trail and the Lutz Saddle, about three miles to our south. Had the Border Patrol discovered a group of drug smugglers? The helicopter hovered for quite a while. When we hiked up Miller Peak a few weeks ago, we came across a large Mexican campsite full of discarded effects, so we know that that saddle is a popular resting stop for illegal border crossers before they head downhill to the east where vehicles pick them up and speed through town.

When we got back to the car we noticed that the army family's license plate was personalized with something similar to the Grand Canyon's most popular trail.
And here I haven't even SEEN the Grand Canyon since the early 1990s...that man put me to shame.

Sadie was by my side the entire time, at her best behavior until we encountered a few other hikers with unleashed dogs. I had to hold her back as she pulled on the leash, but she always forgot the other canines once we got out of sight.

We were back at our cars shortly after noon, and I was back home an hour later, stopping at the feed store for more Eukanuba Wild Turkey for the dogs. Debbie, Sadie's breeder was working today, and we always chat when we are there. Sadie seems to remember Debbie.

There's a CAT5 Hurricane moving north along Mexico's central coast. Forecasters are saying it should reach the southern tip of Baja California tomorrow afternoon. We may get rains from this storm later next week. Last night we had a short t-storm from frontal clouds from this storm, and once again, as I look out toward our northern windows, see more lightning. Will we get more overnight rain? We sure could use this rain, but I hope next weekend is dry as I am still planning on meeting Linda and Mike in the Fossil Creek area for a Saturday hike.