Went back down to the Dragoon Mtns for a few more days, then a day on the amazing Picacho Peak. This is probably our last Sonoran desert trip as it's getting a bit warm, and our remaining 5 weeks in AZ will likely be spent hanging out in the higher country before we bail to Alaska for the summer.iPhone pic: Tried to enter the Dragoons from the north, via this public "road". After 10+ miles of pin-striping my already pinstriped truck, we went through a couple open gates and ended up on a well graded gravel road into a rural, high end, desert community. WTF? After 90 minutes of dead ends, we realized we were on private land, and ultimately a gated community. We ran into a woman at a big gate, and she informed us so. She seemed bewildered how we got through the big gate at the entrance....reminded me of my moto days having the same problem quite frequently.Took the right way and finally got to camp.Then a ride-hike into Slavin Canyon.Camp.A change in the weather.And some screwing around.

Morning cow trail ride. I love riding desert cow trails.......we used to ride them a bunch on motos in the west desert of Utah.That evening it started puking rain, then cleared just enough at sunset to light up the sky.

Next day was more early morning riding, a hike to the Sheep's Head, then a drive north to Picacho Peak.At Picacho Peak State Park........raining, but beautiful. Here's a dead Saguaro.The desert bloom is in full right now.Clouds over the Picacho Peak.And another classic desert sunset.

Got up at 5:30, rode the bike to the trailhead, then hiked up Picacho Peak. Wanted to beat the throngs of people that would arrive later, so I'd have the place to myself, and not get bogged down by slow moving folks on the cables above.Headlights on I-10Incredible trail route. I've been a climber for 25+ years, and any time there's some exposure, I'm happier.Misty clouds rolling in.Near the summit.I didn't see the flowers hiking up in the dark, but coming down in the light they were amazing!New bike rack. $30 step bumper receiver, $39 ATV rack, $40 quick release skewers, $10 hardware. Works great. I added the turn-buckle to remove the wobble the receiver racks have.

Always a treat to see one of your trip reports. Thanks for taking the time to put this together and share the happy family time with us, here. b

Wow! Great report. I live in Tucson full time, and you've hit some places I've not been to yet.For others who will be following in your footsteps, be careful. We've seen two rattlesnakes in the last three days. So they are out now that the weather is warming up.

Dragoon Mtns and Picacho Peak | Good Sam Community

TucsonJim
Explorer II
Mar 20, 2015
Wow! Great report. I live in Tucson full time, and you've hit some places I've not been to yet.

For others who will be following in your footsteps, be careful. We've seen two rattlesnakes in the last three days. So they are out now that the weather is warming up.
bka0721
Explorer II
Mar 20, 2015
Always a treat to see one of your trip reports. Thanks for taking the time to put this together and share the happy family time with us, here.

b
trackhead
Explorer
Mar 20, 2015
Got up at 5:30, rode the bike to the trailhead, then hiked up Picacho Peak. Wanted to beat the throngs of people that would arrive later, so I'd have the place to myself, and not get bogged down by slow moving folks on the cables above.

Headlights on I-10

Incredible trail route. I've been a climber for 25+ years, and any time there's some exposure, I'm happier.

Misty clouds rolling in.

Near the summit.

I didn't see the flowers hiking up in the dark, but coming down in the light they were amazing!

New bike rack. $30 step bumper receiver, $39 ATV rack, $40 quick release skewers, $10 hardware. Works great. I added the turn-buckle to remove the wobble the receiver racks have.
trackhead
Explorer
Mar 20, 2015
Next day was more early morning riding, a hike to the Sheep's Head, then a drive north to Picacho Peak.

At Picacho Peak State Park........raining, but beautiful. Here's a dead Saguaro.

The desert bloom is in full right now.

Clouds over the Picacho Peak.

And another classic desert sunset.
trackhead
Explorer
Mar 20, 2015
Morning cow trail ride. I love riding desert cow trails.......we used to ride them a bunch on motos in the west desert of Utah.

That evening it started puking rain, then cleared just enough at sunset to light up the sky.

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Dragoon Mtns and Picacho Peak

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