Portal, AZ - Rodeo, NM

Hike report for Barfoot Lookout & park 3/19/26:

Hot weather arrived in Portal/Rodeo a month early.  We didn’t get the all time March record for the US of 110 F recorded elsewhere in Arizona, but it was plenty hot in our valley.  In anticipation,  we planned this week's hike for the high country.  A dozen of us car pooled to Rustler Park and enjoyed a day in the cool pines.  Well, the first part was once in the pines but the 2011 fire removed most of the trees so we hiked in the morning sun to the top of Buena Vista Peak where the Barfoot Lookout used to be.  (Barfoot Peak is across the valley to the north and why the lookout was named for the peak where it wasn’t located is a question for the old historian)  White-throated swifts zipped around and us hikers and we enjoyed the 360 degree view.  We could see a few small patches of snow on the north face of the higher peaks and at the “Rustler glacier”.  We enjoyed wonderful 70 F temperatures and the sun felt pretty good at this elevation.

 

 

After enjoying the view and a morning snack we walked down a spur trail on the north side of the ridge to Barfoot Park.  A large aspen stand that was top-killed in the 2011 fire has regrown and we were pleased to not find any fallen trees across the trail.   Barfoot Park is the site of an abandoned Boy Scout camp - cement foundations from the camp remain along with more recent cement picnic tables.  The area was also the site of a sawmill, long abandoned,  and a USFS ranger station that was removed and rebuilt in Rustler Park.  A man named ‘Barfoot’ used to live at the meadow and grew potatoes and cabbages in the early 1900’s.  We had our lunch in the shade of tall Ponderosa Pines and Douglas Fir and wondered what could be better.

  

We hiked back to Rustler Park on the road.  Spring is slowly arriving at this elevation only a few forbs were blooming but broadleaf trees haven’t started to bud.  We were surprised at the number of people at Rustler Park:  apparently spring break at some schools.  The gate to the campground and to Long Park was still locked but the bathroom is open.

Next week we plan to hike in Price Canyon.  The weather is forecast to remain hot, and Price is well shaded - we expect the creek to be flowing.  Last year several crews worked very hard to rebuild the trail and we managed to reach the ‘shrine’ which is about 4 miles up.  Most of the route is at a steady grade with a few steep stretches to go around bouldery areas.  Since this is an ‘up and back’ hike, people can turn around at any point.  As always, bring lunch, lots of water or a filter, a hat, shirt, sunscreen, snacks, and good boots.  Meet at the Rodeo PO at 8 AM Arizona time or 9 AM New Mexico.  The dirt access road is rough and good clearance will be needed to reach the trail head, so we will car pool.

Hike report from Al;  photos from Carol & Elaine