Another Flying Tree from the Chiricahua Mountains

The recent hike on the Greenhouse trail in the high country of the Chiricahua Mountains provided another opportunity to look for more flying trees.  As previously described, the phenomena of flying trees seems to be confined to higher elevations in the Chiricahua Mountains and specific to several species of pines.  Over the winter, hiking was confined to lower elevations and the prospects for observing flying trees was minimal.  A previous trip on a workday with the Friends of Cave Creek Canyon on the Greenhouse trail resulted in an image of a flying tree so time was taken to explore the same area, at the wilderness boundary, to look for additional examples of flying trees.  After some searching, the image of another flying tree shown below was captured.  The repeatable observation of flying trees at a single location over time may suggest flying trees cluster in specific areas.  Since various species of pines cover the upper elevations of the Chiricahua mountain range it is unknown whether this is an indication of specific habitat requirements, or related to wind patterns on the lee side of the ridge, or simply a result of sampling error.  Additional observations are required to distinguish between these  alternatives.  Additional images of flying trees may be found through this link.

A flying pine tree along the Greenhouse trail

Greenhouse trail #248 with the Portal Rodeo Hiking Club

A group of 7 hikers from the Portal Rodeo Hiking Club met at the preappointed time at the Silver Peak trail head and carpooled up FS 42 to the Herb Marytr road then regrouped at the turnoff on FS 713, a 4 wheel drive road, where everyone piled into a truck for the mile and half drive to the trail head.  At the trail head a brisk pace was established up the Greenhouse trail quickly passing the new sign at the wilderness boundary placed during a Friends of Cave Creek Canyon work day awhile back.  The Forest Service has accomplished a great deal on this trail since last year.  The trail has been cleared up past the Winn Falls overlook which makes for easy walking.  Spring wild flowers are currently in bloom in the high country including the wild strawberry which was found all along the creek bed.  Blueberry and Blackberry bushes were also in evidence along the trail though not yet blooming.  The first stop was at the Winn Falls overlook.  A small amount of water was flowing over the almost 400' waterfall and some members scrambled around looking for the best place to photograph.  Then it was onward to Cima cabin, a former summer ranger station near the top of the ridge.  Completed in 1934, the Cima Park Fire Guard Station is listed on the National Resister of Historic places and was the stopping point for lunch.  Afterwards, a number of hikers continued on the short distance to the crest trail for a look over the west side of the mountain range.  Covering about 9 miles round trip the elevation gain was about 2700'.  The map for this hike may be found through the following link.

Winn Falls from the Greenhouse trail

Cima Fire Guard Station

Portal Rodeo Hiking Club on the Greenhouse trail