Portal, AZ - Rodeo, NM

With a 90% chance of rain and thunderstorms for the day, eight hikers ventured to the top of the mountain and hiked south, sampling raspberries along the way. After several miles, at which point we were up in the clouds and the views out in any direction were solid white, the group split in two, with half going off trail out a ridge to explore before returning the way they came. The other four continued southbound, donning rain gear and pressing on as it started to rain.

Near Round Park, still in a downpour, we decided to continue to Cima Saddle, turn onto the Greenhouse Trail, and drop the short distance to Cima Cabin to eat lunch and wait for the storm to pass by—which didn't take too long, as it turned out. After eating and drying a little bit, we headed back the way we came. At Cima Saddle, we considered going south some more, but with more storms forecast for the afternoon and a big, dark wall in the sky in that direction, we decided not to. Heading northbound, it started to clear up and even got occasionally sunny. We got back to Rustler about 2:30, having gone approximately 10 miles, and had plenty of time to stop for ice cream at the Research Station Gift Shop on the way back.

Next Thursday, July 27, we will hike in Whitetail Canyon and Indian Creek. How far we go will depend on weather conditions. There are rumors of Al baking pie for after the hike. Meet at the corner of Portal and Foothills Roads at 8 (AZ) / 9 (NM).

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Chiricahua Trail Crew Volunteer Agreement