Slavin Gulch to Council Rocks, Dragoon Mtns

I always enjoy walking around the Dragoon mountains northeast of Tombstone.  They are full of history.  It was in the western Dragoons, in this area of Council Rocks where General Oliver Howard and Chiricahua Apache chief Cochise negotiated a peace accord in 1872. Apache Petroglyphs can still be seen on the rocks, slowly faded from exposure.  Elevation gain is minimal.  The hike is around 6.5 miles the way we hike it, and elevation gain is 640 accumulative.  The bigger challenge is watching one's footing as there are many rocks hidden in the grass as one traverses the faint trail.

I left the house at 5:35am to pick up SteveT at his place in Whetstone.  Together we drove in the Escape with Zeke and Trace in the back.  Steve had removed the rear seats and now the back area is flush; much better to lay back there while on the road.

Today's hike was led by RodC from the Huachuca Hiking Club.  Nine of us showed up, including SteveT and me and our dogs.  SteveA, SteveS, Paul, Jim and Maryann, and Doug were the other hikers, all experienced and strong hikers.  Rod said there were supposed to be some teachers from Tombstone ISD joining us, but no one showed up at the meeting point off Middle March Road. Morning clouds were refreshingly cool and we started out with 72F at 7:30am.  The clouds quickly dissipated in that first mile and we were on an exposed trail the entire time.

Normally the crevices and metates are full of monsoonal rains this time of year, but when we crossed the dry creekbed just before the trailhead parking area, I knew we would be facing a dry walk.  This concerned me, as normally we can rely on water to cool off the dogs and we don't need to carry as much water.  Today I used  up the gallon of water I brought along for the dogs and me.

Today we did the route in reverse from when I last led it with SteveT and his friend Kel.  Today we started on the Slavin Gulch trail, then quickly diverted from that trail just past the cattle gate, to hike up into the pass before descending in the meadow just before Council Rocks.  We could hear cowbells in the washes around us, and diverted around many cow patties along the trail.  The dogs romped around; Trace chased after quail while Zeke followed me.

(Photo by Steve Scheumann)

We made it to Council Rocks in 1:20 hours and 2.7 miles.  That seemed rather quick.  We had taken the most direct route.  (I'll have to remember that route!) We rested by the rocks, noted the faded petroglyphs, had our snacks, then continued on our return hike.

The return hike meanders through the rocks the way we came, but then cuts along the foothills past a cattle gate and group campsite.  The depressions around the rocks were void of any captured monsoonal rains, something very unusual in August when monsoonal rains are at their most active.  There was no water along the entire loop hike, even in the dry washes.  Just cooling off paws is important for dogs while hiking.

I could now feel the heat rising.  At 10am it was already 82F.  The expected high was to hit the 90s.  At least we were mostly done with the hike and not starting. We took several shade breaks for the dogs.  Catclaw along the wash and parts of the rocky trail back slowed us down some, but I just wanted to plow through that part to get to the shade.

Jim and Maryann took off at this point, so it was just seven of us slower folk.  We stopped more than usual in shaded spots.  The dogs finished the water I had and now I felt parched.  Luckily we had a half-mile to go before getting back to the cars.  SteveT and I left the group to hit the Tombstone Brewery, where I had two types of lager (both at 4.9% ABV) and three tacos for $5 from the JD's Chuckwagon food truck parked outside.  Joker, the beer pourer from the last time I was at the brewery with Kevin and Steve, gave the dogs a bowl of water right away while we cooled off inside.  Joker fits the Tombstone image with his long white hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. Both dogs were exhausted, but at least they were welcome inside.  The rest of the group ate at the OK Cafe in town.

SteveT and I chatted a bit once we got to his place. giving the dogs more time to drink water and chill.  When I left his place to get back home, Steve noticed the rear right tire on the Escape had a flat.  At least we had managed to get to safety before the tire gave out!  It would have been miserable having a flat tire on a desert road in 90F with little water to keep the dogs from dehydrating.  At least Steve is very adept at fixing flats; me, not so much.