Portal, AZ - Rodeo, NM

South Fork Hike report 6/5/25:

  

The always beautiful South Fork was beautiful again today!  There were isolated pools of water all the way up after the second creek crossing.  Like other dry years these were not always beautiful clear pools (except for “the bathtub” which was pretty good today) but still enough water for wildlife.  Most of the pools swarmed with our native fish called ‘speckled dace’.  An old research project found that this fish was able to survive in dry pools during the day by swimming into wads of wet moss in the morning and waiting till evaporation/transpiration decreased at night, then coming out to feed when water reappeared.  Other occupants of the pools included caddisfly larvae, this species making its case out of bark chips:

 

 

Six of us started out on the hike, but for varied reasons one turned back, then two others -  leaving three to hike up to the apple tree.  We were dismayed to see that our beloved old apple tree was broken by a fallen Apache Pine.   The apple was still alive, but severely damaged – it should survive.  In previous years we talked about pruning it, but now it has been taken care of.

 

We three hiked just past the broken tree (“cursing the day that pine germinated”) to “Apple Camp” and had lunch up there, spending a nice time talking about South Fork and the Chiricahua mountains, almost napping in the shade.

 

 

                                                                                        Oak leaf galls

At Apple Camp a few pygmy owl toots brought a nice mixed flock of birds to investigate including Red-faced, Grace’s, Virginia’s and Black-throated Gray Warblers, Bridled Titmouse, Hutton’s Vireo, Western & Dusky-capped Flycatchers, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker and Spotted Towhee!

We encountered a couple of (other) blown-down logs, which were easy enough to get around:

On the hike out, we did see the lone male elegant trogon at the old campground territory, calling for all he was worth trying to attract a mate. On the way back, there were two male Trogons borking at each other.  There was a female documented on the Trogon count last month, but she may be on the nest (?) as we didn't hear or see her.  Our local trogon experts think the dry conditions in northern Mexico have made the long flight north from the Sierra Madre to here too dangerous, and most of the birds will wait until the monsoons to decide if the risk is worth it. 

 

Trogon belly, not an apple

After the crowds of birdwatchers in April we were able to enjoy a quiet hike meeting only 3 couples.  Way up the trail we saw only 1 bear scat, suggesting their numbers continue to be low.  Only a few have come into Portal this spring, so far and we hope they can find enough food in the high country.  Raspberry season approacheth!

 

Speaking of the high country, how about a high-country hike next week?  The long-term forecast is for upper 90’s in town on Thursday but mid 70s for Rustler Park and vicinity.  Our plan is to drive to Long Park (thereby avoiding 800 ft elevation climb) and hike south along the Crest Trail.  The more optimistic members of the group hope to continue past Junction Saddle (near Chiricahua Peak) to Aspen Saddle and then circle around the south and west sides of Chiricahua Peak and return the way we came.  Of course, people can stop and return at any point in the hike.  The very long day length and lack of thunderstorms this time of year suggests this is the right time for this slightly longer hike.  Remember to bring water (I drank 3 quarts today), lunch, hat, sun protection and good boots.  The trail has been in good shape (for here) but most of it is at over 9000 ft, so elevation could be an issue for some people.  Meet at the Silver Peak trailhead to carpool - 8 AM, AZ - 9 AM, NM.

 

Hike report & photos from Al & Elaine