Portal, AZ - Rodeo, NM

The monsoon rains unfortunately have slacked off, so 4 hikers carpooled to the Rucker Canyon trailhead this week.  The County and USFS roads were in good shape with only a few slightly rough creek crossings, and puddles only near Camp Rucker.   There have been enough rains for the perennial grasses to green up but still few flowers.  It was a pretty drive: cute calves with their moms but no pronghorn.

The old campground at the end of the road was one of the prettiest in the forest. It was blocked off a few years ago because of the danger of flooding.  We saw no boaters on the lake.

Last year several paid and volunteer groups (including some of the local hikers) rebuilt sections of the trail, cleared the route of fallen trees, and cut back brush. The trail up to the switchbacks is still in great shape,  thanks to their work:  

One very large tree has recently fallen across the trail and is a major obstacle. Other than that, there were only 4 small trees easily stepped over.

Poison oak is common along the route but with a little effort it was avoided (we hope).  One of our group brought a lopper and cut some of the new regrowth.  

Rucker Creek was flowing parallel to the trail - some crossings were a little tricky, but there were always rocks to hop across. 

We got to the base of the switchbacks in time for lunch.  We’d just got there when 2 researchers from NM State University came walking back from the “Gates”.  They had gone to collect a unique subspecies of native terrestrial snails from a specific moss-covered grotto.  They said there were 2 really tough sections to cross but the rest of the route wasn’t bad. 

After our lunch 3 of us hiked upstream and looked into the narrow side canyon ("Welcome to Bla ...").  We thought it would be worthwhile to come back soon and make an effort to reach the Rucker Grotto and try to spot a rumored Blue-throated Mountain Gem nest.

The hike back in the afternoon was warm and muggy.  Beautiful "beetle art" and slime molds:

Next week we will travel to the Pinalano Mountains (Mt. Graham) near Safford.  We decided to try a different trail this year with less elevation loss.  Meet at Trash Corner at 8 AM AZ or 9 AM NM.  It is a long drive on paved roads so expect to get back later than usual but before dark.  Due to the long drive most of us go into Safford for dinner after the hike.  Some people do a little shopping as well.  Remember hat, water, lunch, sun protection, good boots and rain gear as monsoon storms are always possible.

Report from Al, photos from Elaine