Yesterday was an "off-day" so I got up early and drove to Muleshoe Ranch in the Galiuro Mountains of Southern Arizona. I continued past the Visitor's Center on the 4x4 only road which extends 14 miles into the Galiuro Mountains ending up at Jackson's Cabin. The road is truly 4x4 only -- and requires a trail rated, high clearance vehicle with good off-road tires -- nerves of steel and a strong stomach.
This is an area rich with history. In 1884, the first owner of Muleshoe Ranch, Dr. Glendy King, was killed in a land dispute by his neighbors. One of those neighbors, Ed Drew, was a champion rodeo rider for many years who was elected sheriff of Graham County. However, he was killed in a saloon gunfight in 1911. Ed's sister, Cora, was an exceptional horsewoman who was offered a job in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. Cora's mother, however, did not allow her 16 year daughter to accept. The Ranch Foreman was Johnny Boyett who in 1900 gunned down the 45 year old Warren Earp, (the youngest brother of Wyatt Earp).
The closest town is Willcox about 30 miles from the Visitor's Center at Muleshoe Ranch. The 14 mile "road" out to Jackson's Cabin from the Visitor's Center takes about 2 hours to drive. Back in the late 1800's it took two days on horseback to go from Jackson's Cabin to Willcox.
In terms of Wildlife, the area has Mountain Lions, Black Bears, Desert Bighorn Sheep, Coatimundi, and three different Skunks. However, yesterday I didn't come across any of them. I saw several Mule Deer and White Tailed Deer, and a variety of birds including Summer Tanager, Black Headed Grosbeak, Black Phoebe, and the omnipresent Gilded Flicker. And, as typical, a great many raptors were seen as well.
But, for my daily photo, I leave you with Jackson's Cabin:
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| Jackson's Cabin |
Jackson's Cabin has been a great trip. Much better prior to when the forest service came in and graded the area. After that all the turquoise around the cabin disappeared and needles and dirty diapers appeared.
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