Mount Graham

Mount Graham International Observatory is located in southeast Arizona's Pinaleno Mountains, about 2 hours from Tucson. Unlike Kitt Peak, the public cannot drive (or ride) all the way to the observatory. This is because the Mount Graham Red Squirrel, which lives only in the Pinaleno Mountains and is considered an endangered critter, makes it home near the observatory (the squirrels were there first, but that's another story...). To protect the squirrel, a gate prevents cars and bikes from completing the last few miles to the top. This, however, does not prevent Arizona Game and Fish Department wildlife managers from accidentally shooting the endangered Red Squirrel, as occurred last month. Amazing, because this tiny squirrel weighs just 8 ounces and measures only 8 inches in length. Hell of a shot. It was reported that the AGFD manager shot the Red Squirrel while he was assisting researchers in moving Abert's squirrels (which compete with the Red Squirrel) from Mt. Graham during a relocation effort. How a gun came into play during the Abert squirrel relocation effort I'm not sure, unless AGFD was ordering the Aberts to march outta there with their paws up.

"Earth First" folks were more than a little pissed at the incident. Below is their depiction of the "bad-ass" Red Squirrel the wildlife manager saved us from:

angry Red Squirrel

We did not see any Red Squirrel, dead or alive, on our ride up Mount Graham. Chris started from the bottom, while I drove about halfway up the mountain to begin my ride. Eventually Chris caught up with me and we rode the final few miles together.

Never one to let something like a gate prevent him from getting where he wants to go, Chris later did a little map research and located an unpaved road near the gated section, which might possibly allow him to reach the top. A few weeks later he returned to test it out. It turned out to be an unmaintained road that was too difficult to ride on a road bike because the dirt was too soft and the bike sunk into the road.

But still, he tried:

ps: Chris INVENTED the 'selfie'