Portal, AZ - Rodeo, NM

It was a beautiful, calm December morning with temperatures just right for hiking. Three hikers drove the very rough road into Horseshoe Canyon up to the forest gate and walked the road for a total of six miles — three miles in and three miles out. It was an easy, pleasant walk through cattle country. We wondered why our group was so small on such a great day. Where were you hikers? Note that anyone can turn around early on one of our hikes, and a smaller group could opt to go much farther. We don’t have rules, although we do prefer that no one hikes alone.

Horseshoe Canyon is a beautiful, open oak-juniper woodland with handsome cliffs. It was very dry, of course, and the many cattle have definitely close-cropped much of the grass. There are many side canyons here and we discussed four or five different walks we like. We will return.

Both oaks and junipers are subject to mistletoe growth. The mistletoe may not kill the tree as it is green and can photosynthesize. But it does steal the trees' sap and this stress plus added stresses, like drought, can kill the tree. Interestingly, there is one study that shows that the juniper and the mistletoe may have a mutualistic relationship. The mistletoes attract birds that then spread the trees' seeds. In this study, more than twice the number of juniper seedlings grew in mistletoe-rich patches than in mistletoe-free ones. Why do birds come to the mistletoes? The mistletoe fruits are important for bluebirds and other birds as well.

Below is an oak mistletoe, and its leaves look very oak like. If you were looking at a juniper mistletoe, its foliage would be similar to the juniper.

And finally, for a bit of whimsy, check out this. Didn’t the tree below get the message that it was supposed to grow upright? Trees detect gravity with tiny structures within the cells of their roots and shoots called statoliths, which tell them which way is up. This process is called gravitropism. Perhaps this tree did grow upright at first, and then an earth or rock slide put it in this position??? 

Next Thursday, December 26, is the day after Christmas and many hikers will be away but at least one senior hiker will be present. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Silver Peak Trailhead for an easy walk in the canyon. We will carpool up the Portal Road to the Snowshed Trail and walk a simple loop toward the Research Station, ending with the short, steep and spectacular walk on the Cliffrose Trail at the Station. Expect to walk about three miles. Please wear your Christmas colors (and hats if you have them) for the group photo. Come and walk off your Christmas dinner.

Happy trails and Merry Christmas! 

Report by Carol. Photos by Elly and Carol