My sister, Helen Boudreau, flew from Boston to Phoenix Monday. On Tuesday, we spent the morning and lunch time at the Desert Botanical Garden. In the evening, we went to the HOA meeting for the Carlyle Condos where I live. This morning, we had a pleasant drive to Sierra Vista and on to Coronado National Memorial. We had lunch outside on a picnic table in front of the visitor center and were soon joined by a half dozen or more Western Blue Jays. Then we went into the visitor center and watched a video about Coronado's exploration of what is now the southwest USA. He was in search of gold, but found none.
We then set off for the Cave Trail, which is 0.55 miles long climbing from 5,260 to 5,700 feet in elevation.
Among other things, the signs warned of dangers: "Smuggling and/or illegal entry are common in this area due to the proximity of the international border. Please do not travel alone in remote areas."
Geniuses that we are, we turned a sharp left just behind the sign, when we should have taken only a half left. After 30 minutes of gradual uphill hiking, we realized we were not going uphill enough and had gone plenty far. But we did see much snow and ice along the trail.
We also saw snow and ice on the north sides of the hills around us.
After returning to the car (the trail head was only a 1/4 mile from the visitor center) we started the drive up to Montezuma pass at 6,575 feet elevation. The park ranger had advised us of ice on the roads and there were also signs on the road. At the visitor center, the temp was in the mid to upper 40s. As we started the ascent, the temperature dropped into the 30s and we did find ice on the roads. We met one car coming down - a Hyundai that did not appear to have four wheel drive. We two 47 percenters probably made it about 94% of the way to the top. Seriously, as we got higher we hit more and more ice on the road and decided we did not need to go to the top. We found a convenient place to turn around and went back to the Cave Trail. This time we went on the correct trail and it did indeed go up in elevation.
Over the first 99% of the trail, we probably went up some 90 stairs plus inclines without stairs. Helen was concerned, as the trail got steeper and became all stone stairs. We were close to making it, but there were 80 more stairs, the sun was near to going behind the mountain and so we stopped and went back down.
The sun did in fact go below the horizon as we continued back down. We got to the car, drove to the Fairfield Inn in Sierra Vista and checked into our nice room. We then went to the Texas Roadhouse Restaurant for dinner. We both had the Wednesday special - an 8 ounce sirloin with two sides. But the best part was the Margaritas and the Patron Kickers. You could add an extra shot of Patron's top of the line tequila to some very big margaritas. And now we are back at the hotel.
We then set off for the Cave Trail, which is 0.55 miles long climbing from 5,260 to 5,700 feet in elevation.
Among other things, the signs warned of dangers: "Smuggling and/or illegal entry are common in this area due to the proximity of the international border. Please do not travel alone in remote areas."
Geniuses that we are, we turned a sharp left just behind the sign, when we should have taken only a half left. After 30 minutes of gradual uphill hiking, we realized we were not going uphill enough and had gone plenty far. But we did see much snow and ice along the trail.
We also saw snow and ice on the north sides of the hills around us.
After returning to the car (the trail head was only a 1/4 mile from the visitor center) we started the drive up to Montezuma pass at 6,575 feet elevation. The park ranger had advised us of ice on the roads and there were also signs on the road. At the visitor center, the temp was in the mid to upper 40s. As we started the ascent, the temperature dropped into the 30s and we did find ice on the roads. We met one car coming down - a Hyundai that did not appear to have four wheel drive. We two 47 percenters probably made it about 94% of the way to the top. Seriously, as we got higher we hit more and more ice on the road and decided we did not need to go to the top. We found a convenient place to turn around and went back to the Cave Trail. This time we went on the correct trail and it did indeed go up in elevation.
Over the first 99% of the trail, we probably went up some 90 stairs plus inclines without stairs. Helen was concerned, as the trail got steeper and became all stone stairs. We were close to making it, but there were 80 more stairs, the sun was near to going behind the mountain and so we stopped and went back down.
The sun did in fact go below the horizon as we continued back down. We got to the car, drove to the Fairfield Inn in Sierra Vista and checked into our nice room. We then went to the Texas Roadhouse Restaurant for dinner. We both had the Wednesday special - an 8 ounce sirloin with two sides. But the best part was the Margaritas and the Patron Kickers. You could add an extra shot of Patron's top of the line tequila to some very big margaritas. And now we are back at the hotel.
Glad to hear you had fun!
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