Comfort Spring Drinker Project
Upper Carr Canyon, Huachuca Mountains - Cochise County, Arizona - May 7th, 2016
What: Volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation recently repaired the old water development at Comfort Spring in upper Carr Canyon of the Huachuca Mountains.
When: May 7th, 2016
Where: Comfort Spring is in upper Carr Canyon of the Huachuca Mountains approximately ½ mile west of the Ramsey Vista Campground and 12 miles southwest of Sierra Vista, Arizona
General Information: Comfort Spring is an important water source in the upper Carr Canyon watershed of the Huachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista, Arizona.
The spring is a well-known landmark along the trail from Ramsey Vista to Hamburg/Ramsey Canyon. Early in the 20th century, it once served as a woodcutter’s camp. Unfortunately during a severe winter in the 1930s, several men living in a cabin there died of pneumonia. (Leonard Taylor’s Hiking Guide to the Huachuca Mountains, 1991) While the cabin is now gone, an old concrete trough still stands at the site.
For decades the developed spring was a reliable, year-round source of water. More recently, one wall of the concrete trough and the supplying pipeline from the spring box were damaged to the point where no water was available to hikers, hunters, and wildlife alike.
At an elevation of 7200 feet, the relative coolness of the site compared to the San Pedro Valley floor below was a welcome relief. Although the tree canopy had been opened up by past fires, a pocket of Ponderosa Pine, Douglas-fir, White Fir, Gambel Oak and New Mexico Locust still surround the spring. In the background was Carr Peak, partially covered with Quaking Aspen. At just over 9300 feet, this peak is the second tallest summit in the Huachuca Mountains.
After almost 2 years of planning and coordination with the Coronado National Forest, 11 members of the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter repaired the trough and installed a new, buried 45 foot pipeline from the spring box. As Comfort Spring is in the Miller Peak Wilderness, all materials, tools, lunches, and refreshments were backpacked in by the volunteers. While the one way distance was fairly short (½ mile) the elevation change of 300 feet in the first ¼ mile provided a memorable climb back to the parking area!
About 10 days later, the valve on the pipe line was opened and water once again flowed into the trough at Comfort Spring. For now the flow from the spring box is a steady trickle. A little water is even dribbling over the lip of the reformed trough. The volume of flow is expected to increase after the summer and winter rains recharge to the supply source.
Acknowledgements:
Assisting in the project were Huachuca Gould’s Chapter members Bowie Clemens, Stephanie and Dave Johnston, John Millican, Wayne Kaiser, Randy Keiller, Ryan Catlett, Dave Inman, Dave Kemnitz, Rene Dube, and Tom Deecken. John Kraft and Dave Mehalic provided Forest Service oversite.
When: May 7th, 2016
Where: Comfort Spring is in upper Carr Canyon of the Huachuca Mountains approximately ½ mile west of the Ramsey Vista Campground and 12 miles southwest of Sierra Vista, Arizona
General Information: Comfort Spring is an important water source in the upper Carr Canyon watershed of the Huachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista, Arizona.
The spring is a well-known landmark along the trail from Ramsey Vista to Hamburg/Ramsey Canyon. Early in the 20th century, it once served as a woodcutter’s camp. Unfortunately during a severe winter in the 1930s, several men living in a cabin there died of pneumonia. (Leonard Taylor’s Hiking Guide to the Huachuca Mountains, 1991) While the cabin is now gone, an old concrete trough still stands at the site.
For decades the developed spring was a reliable, year-round source of water. More recently, one wall of the concrete trough and the supplying pipeline from the spring box were damaged to the point where no water was available to hikers, hunters, and wildlife alike.
At an elevation of 7200 feet, the relative coolness of the site compared to the San Pedro Valley floor below was a welcome relief. Although the tree canopy had been opened up by past fires, a pocket of Ponderosa Pine, Douglas-fir, White Fir, Gambel Oak and New Mexico Locust still surround the spring. In the background was Carr Peak, partially covered with Quaking Aspen. At just over 9300 feet, this peak is the second tallest summit in the Huachuca Mountains.
After almost 2 years of planning and coordination with the Coronado National Forest, 11 members of the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter repaired the trough and installed a new, buried 45 foot pipeline from the spring box. As Comfort Spring is in the Miller Peak Wilderness, all materials, tools, lunches, and refreshments were backpacked in by the volunteers. While the one way distance was fairly short (½ mile) the elevation change of 300 feet in the first ¼ mile provided a memorable climb back to the parking area!
About 10 days later, the valve on the pipe line was opened and water once again flowed into the trough at Comfort Spring. For now the flow from the spring box is a steady trickle. A little water is even dribbling over the lip of the reformed trough. The volume of flow is expected to increase after the summer and winter rains recharge to the supply source.
Acknowledgements:
Assisting in the project were Huachuca Gould’s Chapter members Bowie Clemens, Stephanie and Dave Johnston, John Millican, Wayne Kaiser, Randy Keiller, Ryan Catlett, Dave Inman, Dave Kemnitz, Rene Dube, and Tom Deecken. John Kraft and Dave Mehalic provided Forest Service oversite.
001 Early Morning Assembly- The work group meets in lower Carr Canyon before the drive up the mountain. Those breakfast fajitas filled the spot! Left to right are John Millican, Wayne Kaiser, Randy Keiller, Dave Inman, Dave Kemnitz, and Rene Dube.
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002 Point Of No Return- It’s all smiles and giggles at the Comfort Spring Trailhead before the hike in starts. From left to right are Bowie Clemens, Dave Kemnitz, Stephanie Johnston, Ryan Catlett, John Millican, Rene Dube, Dave Johnston, Randy Keiller, Wayne Kaiser, and Dave Inman.
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003 The Hike In- Everything has to be carried into Comfort Spring from the trailhead. Dave Inman hikes through a stand of Arizona Pine on the way to the spring.
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004 A Pleasant Stop Half Way There- Running water at the 2nd trail crossing provides a mid-way rest stop during the trek.
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005 Streamside Color- Yellow Columbine adds a little color at the mid-way point on the hike to Comfort Spring
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006 Work Begins At Comfort Spring- John Millican (kneeling) fills in the forms for the new wall on the trough. Dave Johnston (left) and Bowie Clemens (white shirt) look on.
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007 Trench Work- Excavation progresses along the path of the new buried pipe line between the concrete trough and the spring box. Dave Johnston does the shoveling while Tom Deecken (left), Stephanie Johnston, and Wayne Kaiser (right) do the supervising.
010 Lunch Is Served- With work almost done, lunch is quickly consumed by the crew. Those subs, chips, and refreshments tasted great. Thank you Wayne Kaiser for bringing them. Now just don’t think about the climb back up that hill to the vehicles.
012 Water Flows Once Again- With the valve open on the new pipe line water begins to fill the reformed trough at Comfort Spring.
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008 Stretching Out The Pipe- Dave Kemnitz pulls the new pipe uphill while Dave Inman feeds him more. The “reserves” wait in the wings.
009 Joining Old to New- Tom Deecken preps the new pipe connection at the spring box. Dave Inman steadies the pipe while Ryan Catlett (left), Dave Johnston (rear), and Wayne Kaiser offer support.
011 Trough Work Part II- John Millican removes the wall forms on the trough at Comfort Spring about 10 days after the May 6th work day.
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013 Another Visit- Later in May the trough is full of water with a little seeping out. On this visit a rock escape ramp was installed for use by small wildlife.
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014 Success!- Another look at the now filled water trough at Comfort Springs. With the coming summer rains, flow should be even better. Yes that is Milo you see.
Another great project to assist the wildlife in the woods, we are not picky as to who or what drinks from this watering hole, we are just glad to know there is water present for all to share.. turkeys, deer, cats, and bears alike.
*************************************** Thanks to Tom Deeken for another great story about the Huachuca Gould's Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). |