Written by Ollie Linden, Wild Stew Field Crew Member.
Howdy Wild AZ fans, we’re back with another hitch update, this time featuring our return to the always epic Pinaleño Mountains in the Coronado National Forest!
Tasked with maintaining several miles on the Ladybug Trail, our crew braved rocky uphill terrain, Labor Day crowds, and even a daring pit toilet cellphone rescue. Joined on several days by the Safford Ranger District’s Jefferson Letner, we built or maintained 71 drains, 33 steps, 3 retaining walls, and 13 junk walls, in addition to maintaining the tread and cutting back brush for over 2.7 miles, improving the trail for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians alike.
The work here was certainly a treat for the legs, as both our hike in and out each day involved a steep climb up and down multiple series of switchbacks. Along the way, we got to see some impressive work old and new already done on the trail. The old being the durable rock retaining walls of the CCC from nearly a century ago, and the more recent being additional walls and banked turns put in with the help of the Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists to make the trail a bit more friendly to a pair of wheels. We were even treated to a visit by SDMB’s Nat Gordon, who has been organizing much of the recent volunteer efforts in the range.
As always, the Pinaleños treated us to incredible views—they never disappoint and we hope to return again soon! We were also lucky enough to spot a bobcat (not captured on camera), a rattlesnake (again, you’ll have to take my word for it) and a beautiful li’l silkworm moth caterpillar.
