Twelve members and friends in 5 vehicles took the Bulldog Canyon run on Feb.16. Three met at Dillards, and two more met at the trail head on Usury Pass Road. After introductions, we headed out at 9:30.
Duane Steen was the tail gunner and had with him guest Gene Meth; Austin and Mary Ellen Hulcher had guests Sam and Joy Schwartz; Jay and Diane Olson had guests Don and Eva Johnstone. Bill Strong was the trail leader and Jeff Clyde in his white Wrangler Unlimited rounded out the group.
The spacious trailhead was a great place for gathering and introductions.
Duane is standing by as Jeff unlocked the gate for us. We all had the required forest service permit to run these roads. The free permit gives the combinations for each of six months for the locks on the gates.
With the gate open we ready to roll.
The road from the Usury Pass trailhead follows a wash for a few miles with fine views of the desert. It joins the road from Bush Highway in a wide wash. The road is so rocky in many places that the ride is much more comfortable with tires aired down.
Austin makes the climb up this obstacle with ease. I had a bit of trouble with it but made it after Jeff guided my wheel placement. Two weeks ago on a pre run I climbed this one in two wheel drive with tires aired down.
This is the alternative route up the same hill. Three of our five vehicles climbed this one with no problem.
Of course, we found time for a coffee break. The run was so short (3 hours driving time) that we were off the trail by lunch time. It is a great run for winter visitors as it is so close to Mesa – just south of Saguaro Lake.
There are some fine views of the Goldfield Mountain .along the trail.
In some places the cholla was so lush one might call it a cholla forest. The mountain here is covered with yellow lichens.
As we neared the end, we had this view of Weaver’s Needle and Superstition Mountain. This run ended at Apache Trail north of the Goldfield mine. Several stopped at the Mammoth mine tourist attraction for lunch.
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