The Perimeter trail loop is a combination of several trails that when connected form a loop that joins Miller and Carr Canyons in the eastern Huachucas. It is not an easy hike due to the distance and elevation, but it's a scenic one among desert flora of scrub oak, agave and drought resistant grasses. This was the first hike I did with the Huachuca Hiking Club in early 2005 and I like to share it with those interested in a scenic and challenging work-out. I was quite surprised how many from the SVHikers wanted to do this!
I led today's hike with the Sierra Vista Hikers. HollyW, DavidB, SteveD, Jeoung, Jenny and BonnieM all showed up for this hike and we even got started before 9am. Weather was forecasted to be in the upper 50s, with increasing clouds and rain by 3pm. It was near clear sky when we started. Clouds didn't start coming over the mountains until four miles into the hike, when we reached the Carr Ruins and the western peaks became visible. The Perimeter gets rockier in the northern part.
The group stayed together. There were no slow members. The three dogs stayed by their owners. Zeke only once went crazy and chased after something, but came right back when I yelled for him. Deer do like to graze on the slopes and that is most likely what he briefly went after.
Water trickled in the little draws along the Perimeter trail, which I didn't expect so late in the year. Normally water dries up this time of year and doesn't reappear until monsoon season in July. The water was great for the dogs, who could drink on their own. And we saw pink penstemon and Indian Paintbrush flowers along the way.
At the three-mile mark we turned southwest off the Perimeter and continued on an unmarked social trail that takes one directly to the Carr Ruins. We had our big break 3.75 miles into the hike as we sat among the ruins in the shade of mature oaks. Most of the graffiti was cleaned off the ruins, but new paint is again visible. Closing Carr Canyon Road during this pandemic was a smart move as far as keeping bored youth from coming here and drinking and spray-painting everything, but it is an inconvenience for those who like to walk the road to the falls.
From the ruins we walked a short trail to the Carr House, closed during this pandemic, and continued on for 1.25 miles on Carr Canyon Road. This is an exposed and boring section when compared to the rest of this loop. A lone deer stood dumbstruck as we got on the road, surprised to see people again. The deer quickly leaped back into the woods. One good thing about closing the road is that the forest service has been filling in the ruts and removing precarious boulders from the banks. Normally the road is open by March 15th but now the road's reopening is undetermined.
We were all glad to reach Clark Springs Trail, the two-mile path that takes one back to Miller Canyon. We were now at the five-mile mark and I assured everyone that it's mostly downhill from here. The high point on the hike is here, near where Clark Springs once was. The spring was buried in a massive landslide after floods in 2011. The water simply bubbles up farther down the hill.
The clouds were getting darker and it was getting colder. I wore a winter nylon top under my Royal Robbins shirt and was warm enough as long as I kept walking, but my hands did get cold. We never stopped for lunch because of the increasing wind. Everyone wanted to just get done before the rain and get back to the cars, so off we went.
Everyone gasped when we rounded the corner that opens one up to a full view of Miller Peak. Steve did say it has an alpine look, especially if there were snow on top. It is an impressive view. Too bad it was too cold to stop. It even hailed briefly on us. The good news was that now we were all in full throttle as we descended quickly in the next two miles.
The upper Miller parking lot was packed with cars as young families walked with their kids and dogs along Miller creek. I had warned everyone of the crowds. We did not encounter mountain bikers, but we did pass a few camping families with dogs. I don't blame people for coming here. The creek was running wild and it was cool. Easter weekend is popular for outdoor family get-togethers
We got back to our cars in under four hours. The parking lot was packed with over 20 cars! Unbelievable! Perhaps everyone wanted to get out before the rain? It didn't rain until shortly after I got back home, but didn't come down significantly until early evening, after I returned from yet another 1.5 miles with the dogs and Susan by the river
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al
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