SKIT Day 1: Dragoon Mountains

Daily Miles: 13.4, Total Miles: 13.4

I headed out on a cool, windy morning and the clouds were moving fast. I knew a quick cold front was moving in and here it was. The well-travelled Cochise Trail took me over the Dragoon Mountains known for their crazy, balancing rocks. Even a bit of fall color on the oaks and cottonwoods.

On the west side of the Dragoons, I hiked about three miles along the base of the picturesque mountains. Some on game trails but mostly in high grass, fighting through blood-letting cat claw bushes. Not fun but kind of expected.

I was very happy to get to Slavin Gulch with good flowing water upstream. Downstream was mostly fouled by cattle. All the cattle along the gulch had big bells around their necks. Hard to hide when you’re loudly clanging on every step.

I eventually joined Smith Wash on a primitive dirt road and camped near an old, unmarked, abandoned homestead. Starting to lose light at 5:30pm. I’m beat – no surprise there.

I am happy to report water was present in all expected sources with a few additional pools thrown in. Absolutely nobody else seen today.