Marvelous Muleshoe Ranch Service, Galiuro Mountains, Arizona

The Trip

In southeast Arizona, the great Sonoran desert and the Chihuahuan deserts meet. Ancient sky islands with large undulating flat basins between them provide runoff to the streams and tributaries of the San Pedro River. The river is born in Mexico and flows north with life-sustaining water to produce one of the few remaining riparian areas in Arizona -- a sanctuary for year-round mountain and desert species, and a rest stop for migrating birds.

The Muleshoe Ranch protects most of the watershed area for seven permanently flowing San Pedro tributaries, along with some of the best remaining native fish habitat in Arizona. Some 80 percent of the region's wildlife species -- including coatimundi, black bear, javelina, white tail and mule deer, mountain lion, and desert bighorn sheep -- depend on these desert streams.

In the first half of the 20th century, the San Pedro River Valley was a quiet area of ranches and farms. Present-day population growth, urban sprawl, and short-sighted management of the region's water supply present significant challenges to the preservation of the San Pedro River riparian corridor and its animal inhabitants.

The Project

Over many years the Sierra Club has developed a great working relationship with the folks at the Muleshoe Ranch. Each year we try to outdo our previous year's achievements and build on a growing understanding of the fragile yet enduring ecosystem that the Muleshoe embraces. Joining us at the Muleshoe Ranch is an opportunity to contribute to those efforts and educate yourself about this desert and its abundance of life.

Each year The Nature Conservancy (TNC) identifies various projects suitable for our group. We prefer a variety of projects to suit all levels of strength and stamina, and no previous experience is necessary. Likely projects will include restoring native grasses, working on erosion barriers, brushing and fixing trails, and other tasks as needed. While hiking to and from the various projects through 100-year-old cottonwoods and dense riparian areas, expect to observe riparian birds and wildlife tracks of all sorts. Getting to the worksites may require hiking or sometimes traveling by truck over ranch roadways. The ranch will provide all tools, supplies, and equipment, as well as instruction on tool safety.

We'll meet on the first day and have lunch in Willcox, Arizona. Following introductions and instructions, we'll caravan together the remaining 30 miles to the Muleshoe Ranch. Upon our arrival, we will tour our new surroundings, unpack, and have a couple hours to get to know one another before dinner.

We will work six to eight hours each day, with some alternation of work crews to allow trip participants to hike, photograph, and sightsee the surrounding area. At the end of each day, participants not assigned to that day's cook crew are at leisure to tour the established trails or soak tired muscles in the spring-fed hot tubs.

All trip participants who are confirmed on this trip will receive bulletins from the trip leader with more specific information as it becomes available. Please email the trip leader for questions about the trip; do not contact the Muleshoe Ranch.

Getting There

You are responsible for getting yourself to the meeting point in Willcox, Arizona and from there to and from the ranch. Your mode and cost of transportation to the ranch are not included in the trip price. Commercial flights and car rentals are available in Tucson (closest) and Phoenix. Driving directions and the specific meeting location will be sent to registered participants. Carpooling is strongly recommended. As soon as a complete list of participants is available, the leader will forward a copy to all trip members to facilitate their planning of transportation. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

All participants will be based and bunked at the Muleshoe Ranch. The Ranch offers a mix of original and renovated historic buildings dating from the late 1800s. Each housekeeping unit is fully equipped, containing bath, kitchen, furnishings, and linens. You will need to bring your own toiletries. Internet access is limited. Cell phone coverage requires a long hike.

The natural hot springs tubs and the McMurray commons facilities are available to our group. The morning and evening meals will be provided and taken in the commons dining room. We will pack up our lunch each morning and ride or hike to our work site. Generally we will be eating lunch at the worksite.

Mealtimes will depend on our activity schedule. Reasonable dietary requests -- especially concerning food allergies -- should be noted on your questionnaire. Kitchen duties will be shared by all -- expect to help one or two days during the week. Smoking is not permitted anywhere. Our first meal on the premises will be dinner on day one, our last meal will be breakfast on the last day. 

Trip Difficulty

If you have always wanted to do a service trip but are wary of camping, this trip may be for you. This will be a moderately strenuous trip. Be in good shape and prepared for lots of hard work and fun.

Anyone who doesn't live in the mountains or high desert environs must have a healthy respect for the altitude. At 4,875 feet, lowlander lungs must work harder to get extra oxygen. This accelerates water loss, even before you add a little healthy perspiration. The physical impact of high-altitude exertion cautions all of us to work at our own pace and rest when necessary. No one will be pushed past his or her limits -- the need to accomplish a goal does not preclude doing so safely and in an orderly manner.

If you haven't seen your doctor in the last five years, you will need to get your physician's signature on the medical questionnaire. All participants must have a current tetanus shot. 

Equipment and Clothing

Trip members are expected to furnish their own day packs -- comparable to a student's bookbag, not a fanny pack. The ranch will provide work tools. Bring and expect to carry at least three one-liter/one-quart water containers and your own supply of moleskin and bandages, sunscreen, insect repellent, and lip balm. A wide brim hat will be your best protection from the sun. Bring boots that are comfortable, clothes that are broken-in (but not worn out) and that can be easily layered for warmth and removed as the day's temperature increases. Temperatures for our early February trip can range from 20 degrees at night to 70 degrees in the mid-afternoon; and for our mid October trip, they can range from 40 to 85 degrees. While we hope for warm, clear days, rain can sweep in. The only other item you must bring is a good pair of gloves. Gloves, like boots, serve best when broken-in early. Bedding and towels will be provided for you.

Please avoid the temptation to be casual about necessary items -- come prepared. Because the ranch is in a remote area, once we have settled in, it will not be convenient to drive anywhere for necessities. Willcox is a small town with limited amenities.

References

Books:

• Alcock, John, When the Rains Come: A Naturalist’s Year in the Sonoran Desert.
• Brusca, Richard, A Natural History of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona, with an Introduction to the Madrean Sky Islands.
• Hait, Pam, Day Trips from Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff.
• Hanson, Roseann Beggy, The San Pedro River: A Discovery Guide.
• National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southwestern States: Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah.

Websites:

• The Nature Conservancy, Muleshoe Ranch CMA: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/%20%20%20%20%20unitedstates/arizona/placesweprotect/muleshoe-ranch-cma.xml
• The Nature Conservancy, San Pedro River: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/arizona/placesweprotect/san-pedro-river.xml
• Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory: http://sabo.org/
• San Pedro River Videos: https://vimeo.com/sanpedroriver

Conservation

Breeding diversity in southern Arizona riparian areas is higher than in all other Unites States habitats combined, and Western riparian areas contain the highest non-colonial bird breeding densities in North America. More than 400 species of birds have been recorded within the San Pedro River Basin's major habitats. Nearly one-half of the United States' bird species frequent the area as they migrate. The tremendous importance of the San Pedro River system was established in 1988 when it was recognized as this country's first Riparian National Conservation area. The river is a 140-mile-long desert oasis -- a dry San Pedro would mean no green corridor or birds migrating across the arid land of the Southwest. The consequences are hard to fathom. Careful conservation planning is necessary to help preserve the right kind of natural areas in just the right places in order to keep migratory corridors connected. Purchased by the Nature Conservancy in 1982, Muleshoe Ranch is one of the most biologically diverse desert riparian areas in the world.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.