Sandy Bob Canyon

Today's hike was lead by Paul, who has a good understanding of the hills around Bisbee. We drove in separate vehicles to Juniper Flats (off AZ 80) where one can see vistas into Bisbee and Tombstone Canyon. We had hiked here before perhaps a year ago, but today we were hoping for some waterfalls.

There was none. Whatever rain we got yesterday seems to have skipped over this small mountain range northwest of Bisbee. Although the ground was lush, green and damp, the pools in the creek bed were only moderately full of water. Only the dogs could enjoy the pools.

Paul, Big Steve, Rod and Cassie, Brenda and Gordon and Kevin and I plus two dogs went on this hike. It was a hot, humid hike that exhausted the dogs and which ended with a brisk hike back to the cars to avoid any rain; thunder clouds were brewing overhead. The only other company we had was running into a Colorado River Toad near the drainage. This was one big toad, larger than my fist, and from the class last semester also a very toxic toad to dogs unfortunate to lick it. Its paratoid glands behind its eyes secrete a white poison that is very toxic. The toad seemed lifeless in the sun and remained motionless while we oggled it, slowly sliding down the near-vertical rock it was on but refusing to move otherwise.

The bushwhack is no more than 2.5 miles down a creekbed. No real trails exist here, only a fading stock trail from years ago. Morning glory was growing everywhere, but so were the cholla, mesquite, thornybrush, prickly pear, oaks and pigmy pines. I was the only fool to wear shorts today. Jeans would have been better! No one was dressed as if to get into any water, although Brenda did wade in with me in some of the deeper pools.

We made the waterfall our break area. I climbed down to the bottom of the falls while the others stayed at the top. The pool wasn't deep but it was refreshing and I went in. Maybe someday I'll explore the end of this canyon, but Paul said it ends on private property.

No other people were around us. The only other sign of life was a blue pick-up parked a mile down the badly-rutted trail.

I enjoy this hike for its remoteness, proximity to our house and the scenery. Today's heat and humidity made this a bit more strenuous than last time. Perhaps next time we should explore side canyons and ridges we haven't explored yet.