So here it was, a month later. The day was clear and brilliant, with 200-mile views in some directions, or five-foot views into the trees. There are two trails that run parallel along the Mormon Creek drainage. Cochise County
Our "hunt" had been a success. Much of current-day Cochise County had been formed into an Indian Reservation, but new settlers thought the area could be better put to use, e.g. However, it may not be the fastest. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Apache is an Athabaskan (Na-Den) language spoken in central Arizona in the USA. We hiked up the easy grades, took a breakfast break, and followed the trail past Anita Springs and directly up to the summit, 3.5 miles and 2 hours after starting, in exquisite weather. The range takes its name from the Chiricahua Apaches native to the region. The largest of the mines developed in the California district of the Chiricahua Mountains was the Hilltop mine which consisted of 3 interconnected levels totaling 6,098 metres (20,007ft). Chiricahua Peak is the highest peak of the range, but not that obvious from down below. Parts were nice, parts had downed trees and branches obstructing the way, and all of it was covered under a heavy mat of pine needles, cones and leaves. The exit took 90 minutes, and our hike had required just 4 hours. The Apache, of course, wanted no part of this, and for the better part of 30 years, fought a guerrilla-style war against American explorers and settlers in this region. Fortunately they do not. The Chiricahua Mountains dominate southeast Arizona. Southeast Arizona, and Chiricahua in particular, is a premier birding area of the country. 85643, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Arizona
Crossing these obstacles was easy at first, but soon, especially on the final approach heading south of the saddle to the peak, the quantity of deadfall was enormous. I have climbed the peak twice, in 2000 by myself, and again in 2003. The next day we returned to the Monument and did two hikes: a 3.5-mile loop through the Heart of Rocks and its spectacular rock formations, and a 2-mile hike up Sugarloaf Peak. The other notable attraction in these mountains is the Chiricahua National Monument, which features thousands of spires and "hoodoos", formed by the erosion of the tuff that resulted from the eruption. There is a price to change especially when one seeks to change hearts and minds uninvited. Where AZ-181 makes a hard bend left, stay straight, now on dirt Turkey Creek Road. We suited up and got things in order, starting the hike at 9:10 a.m.
If I could get us there, our hike would be relatively short. I was back home just in time to catch The Simpsons on TV. The weather was breezy but nice, with temperaturess around 50. As of 2006 the population is 803. Like my first time here, the top is wooded and blocks most views. Chiricahua Peak Weather Forecast, AZ - WillyWeather F 2 9:16 pm 21 Feb Relative Humidity 76% Rain Today 0.1in (0in Last Hour) Wind SW 8.1mph Dew Point 37.9 F Pressure 1009.5 hPa Hottest 87.8 F Pohnpei Island, HI Coldest -40 F WEST DELTA OIL PLATFORM, LA Windiest 55.2mph Mount Washington, NH Wettest (Last Hour) 0.1in It was so nice, I laid in the bed of my truck and took a catnap for a half-hour before packing up, changing into dry clothes and proceeding home. After a mile, the trail came to a spring and remnants of an old pump station. Then the trail parallelled the creek on the right as one faces uphill. H mm > m hbhhhb HHBH I HI 1 1 ^ M3! There is so much trail maintenance needed on this trail, it's a shame it's not been done. It was hunting season and we came upon a father and son sitting along the trail, rifles on their laps. The exit took 90 minutes, and our hike had required just 4 hours. The trailhead's elevation is approximately 6,400 feet. It grows in three Sky Island mountain ranges, scattered locations in Texas, and in Mexico. Categories: 3,343 Albums: 68 Uploaded Media: 557,806 Embedded Media: 720 Comments: 446,104 Disk Usage: 233.1 GB Took Mormon crest back. Gain: 500 feet
earth first! In 2011 the Horseshoe 2 Fire burned a total of 223,000 acres (90,000ha) within the Chiricahua Mountains causing considerable damage to the trail system.[5]. Later that afternoon, we made another 3-mile hike to the Fort Bowie National Historic Site, where the Army set up camp to help fight the Apache Wars against Cochise and Geronimo. Gain: 500 feet
The eruption was so massive, it created a literal wall of mountains, where the range crests stay above 9,000 feet for miles at a time, resulting in numerous bumps of nearly equal height. It was so nice, I laid in the bed of my truck and took a catnap for a half-hour before packing up, changing into dry clothes and proceeding home. The trail begins at the end of the Sycamore campsites off a spur from Turkey Creek Road. Tourism in Southern Africa is synonymous with the wildlife safari. The Chiricahua Mountains dominate southeast Arizona. The highest point, Chiricahua Peak, rises 9,759 feet (2,975m) above sea level, approximately 6,000 feet (1,800m) above the surrounding valleys.
Our "hunt" had been a success. The next day we returned to the Monument and did two hikes: a 3.5-mile loop through the Heart of Rocks and its spectacular rock formations, and a 2-mile hike up Sugarloaf Peak.
Three hundred and seventy-five avian species have been recorded from the Chiricahua Mountains; some are largely Mexican species for which southern Arizona is the northern limits of their ranges. I wasn't keen on battling this for another five miles, so I abandoned the hike and returned to my truck. The range is a classic 'sky island', containing flora and fauna endemic just to that range. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Conditions: Sunny and cool
Gain: 500 feet
Chiricahua Peak in the Chiricahua Mountains is another big Arizona mountain with no real summit qualities. Easily find farms for sale at FARMFLIP.com. Only after the occasional snow or in the dead of summer should one use caution. Arizona
With each turn of the switch backs, your asking is this going to be it or is there another one? The benchmark's elevation is listed as 9,795 feet, which is probably a mistake. Teammates:
I salvaged the day with a drive up the Coronado Highway and a visit to the Greenlee County Highpoint, plus a speeding ticket. Click here for larger-size photo. With this ascent, I had my 11th Arizona County highpoint completed, a task I would finish a few months later. Click to find out more! Neither I nor the webhost can be held responsible for unfortunate situations that may arise based on these trip reports. Forest fires are weird for sure. This peak offers excellent scenic views. Page 162 of 164. The most popular route comes in from the north via Rustler Park campground, high on the main range crest. The story begins in the earliest days of European settlement in Arizona the late 17th century, when Spanish missionaries from Mexico and Santa Fe began to push into the Sonoran Desert, then a. Mormon Ridge Trail and Mormon Canyon Trail Loop. The weather was spectacularbreezy and cool, but not cold. We chose to approach the peak via the Crest Trail, with Rustler Park as our first choice but also keeping our options open depending on road conditions and other factors. I took the "lower" one, the one literally in the creekbed (the "upper" one's trailhead is about a half-mile west of the lower's trailhead, but there is no convenient parking for that trailhead). The background picture on this page show the rock formations that I believe are found in Chiricahua National Monument. Learn more about Faraway Ranch. Thankfully, this segment wasn't too long and soon I arrived at the summit, exactly three hours after starting my hike. After hiking the steep switchbacks, the trail converged with the upper Mormon trail, meeting at an elevation of 8,700 feet. There is a cabin and lookout tower on this peak.
[19], Trees and hoodoos, Chiricahua National Monument. The mountains and the eponymous highpoint get their name from the Chiricahua band of Apache Indians, who lived and roamed these lands for centuries before becoming part of the United States after the Gadsden Purchase in 1854. Another option are the two Mormon Creek routes, which start lower down. In the breeze, I grew chilled quickly, and happy to have summitted, I started down. The Forest Service has done a superb job in removing the deadfall that blocked so many of the trails, especially the final spur to the summit. Encompassing approximately 1,000 square miles, elevations vary from 4,000 feet in the San Simon Valley to 9,796 feet at the summit of Chiricahua Peak. Map. Time: 1 hour
Cochise County
It is the highest summit in the Chiricahua Mountains and the highest point in Cochise County. I met with a couple of hikers at Point 8,700, the only people I saw the whole day on the route. [13], The Chiricahua Mountains are a bio-diverse area which is composed of numerous sky islands. From Tucson, proceed east by car on Interstate highway 10 to the small town of Willcox and Arizona highway 186, then follow SR 186 south for 32 miles to SR 181, which leads to the entrance. I can tell the condition used to be pretty good but definitely need more maintenance at this moment. Date: November 9, 2003
After hiking the steep switchbacks, the trail converged with the upper Mormon trail, meeting at an elevation of 8,700 feet. $407,000 Last Sold Price. After another three-quarters of a mile, it crossed the creek bed, then paralled up the left side for another 1.5 miles. The other notable attraction in these mountains is the Chiricahua National Monument, which features thousands of spires and "hoodoos", formed by the erosion of the tuff that resulted from the eruption. The weather had been mild and I hoped the snow had melted off. With maps in hand, you have a choice of trailheads. A large fire from a couple years ago had defoliated much of this part of the mountain and the burn scars were still evident. The trail begins at the end of the Sycamore campsites off a spur from Turkey Creek Road. Water was flowing well at Ojo spring sept 2020. I met with a couple of hikers at Point 8,700, the only people I saw the whole day on the route. For the first time I had an actual view of the peaks above me, although Chiricahua's summit was still hidden by trees. Explore Map Collection. Arizona
We enjoyed ourselves and it was nice to be back, especially with B.. After about 20 minutes, we started the leisurely hike out, following the same route as we took coming up. Tons of downed trees and leaning trees, & dead trees everywhere. Led at first by Chief Cochise (for whom the county is named), and after Cochise's death, by Geronimo, the Apache, numbering just a few hundred, fought vigorously and remained at large until 1886, when Geronimo was captured. The weather was spectacularbreezy and cool, but not cold. Not highly recommended due to the obvious, but with some improvement, it could be brought back to a well used trail. We met another group back at my truck at Long Park.
I eased the truck down the road and from Rustler Park, we drove down to the Chiricahua National Monument. Map includes a larger scale (1:40,000) inset of the Cave Creek Canyon and Rustler Park areas. The day was clear and brilliant, with 200-mile views in some directions, or five-foot views into the trees. From our hotel in Willcox, we followed State Route AZ-186 for 35 miles southeast toward the Chiricahua National Monument, then right (south) another 14 miles up the Pinery Canyon Road toward Onion Saddle and Rustler Park (FR-42 and FR-42D).
I stayed 15 minutes at the top. There are two trails that run parallel along the Mormon Creek drainage. Chiricahua offers a range of day hiking options from easy to strenuous. This home is located at 10163 E Trailhead in Gold Canyon, AZ and zip code 85118 in the Peralta Trails neighborhood. View more homes. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a12b096ed270e36 . Ugh!! Dates: (1) February 20, 2000; (2) November 8, 2003
From here it was a consistently moderate uphill grade along nice wide trail.
Breathtaking at the top and well worth the effort! Chiricahua National Monument has a great variety of trees and shrubs. This 1,910 square foot home, which was built in 2003, sits on a 0.16 acre lot. [2], Following the transition to ceramics,[3] artifacts characteristic of both Mogollon culture and its local variants, the Mimbres culture, are found. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. The road segment to Long Park is rough, needing 4-wheel drive, but I took it slow and we arrived at Long Park in cool, clear conditions. From point 8,700, I proceeded south a half-mile to the Chiricahua Saddle, elevation 9,100 feet.
I was back home just in time to catch The Simpsons on TV. Chiricahua Peak is easy to climb, with a few possible starting points ranging from half-day hikes to longer overnighters. With this ascent, I had my 11th Arizona County highpoint completed, a task I would finish a few months later. The mountains and the eponymous highpoint get their name from the Chiricahua band of Apache Indians, who lived and roamed these lands for centuries before becoming part of the United States after the Gadsden Purchase in 1854. Web Visit website. Mileage from I-10: about 35.The roads are mostly passable by passenger vehicles except in the wettest weather.There are other possibilities to approach this peak as well. Discover 2,831 listings of land for sale, 1 - 10 acres, under $25K. I tried to go underneath as often as I could, preferring not to touch or put any weight on these massive logs. 1. The day was mild but cold, and snow from a recent storm still everywhere. . The creek itself had running water down low, fed by springs. The region came into U.S. possession after the 1853 Gadsden Purchase, but the Chiricahuas, led by Chief Cochise, fought the settlers and military off and on for many years, reaching a tenuous peace in ~1872. Conditions (physical and legal) change over time! Chiricahua Peak Via Mormon Canyon Trail. From our hotel in Willcox, we followed State Route AZ-186 for 35 miles southeast toward the Chiricahua National Monument, then right (south) another 14 miles up the Pinery Canyon Road toward Onion Saddle and Rustler Park (FR-42 and FR-42D). [14] Five of the 9 life zones[15] are found in the Chiricahua Mountains. Parts were nice, parts had downed trees and branches obstructing the way, and all of it was covered under a heavy mat of pine needles, cones and leaves. This includes views across the Basin and Range to Mount Lemmon, Mount Graham, and Mount Wrightson. A hike up Chiricahua will give you the county highpoint of Cochise County and one of the 57 "Ultra" prominent peaks in the lower-48 states, with over 5,000 . I took the "lower" one, the one literally in the creekbed (the "upper" one's trailhead is about a half-mile west of the lower's trailhead, but there is no convenient parking for that trailhead). The towers can be a hundred+ feet tall, and look like they're going to topple over in a breeze. In 2007 there were about 14,000 speakers of Western Apache, about half of whom belong to the White Mountain Apache tribe and can be found on the Fort Apache Reservation. The hike down was quick, although the loose rocks were more treacherous as I moved downhill.
Parts of the trail were completely obscured, but periodic cairns alerted me to the route. Chiricahua Peak is easy to climb, with a few possible starting points ranging from half-day hikes to longer overnighters. The trail leads through some pretty meadows. Second Visit, November 2003: and I planned to hike another Arizona county highpoint while the weather state-wide remained mild. I followed the same route as I had come up. I eased the truck down the road and from Rustler Park, we drove down to the Chiricahua National Monument. At just over a mile high in elevation, Chiricahua National Monument enjoys fairly mild weather year round. First Visit, February 2000: I was here in January to hike Chiricahua Peak, intending to hike the Crest Trail from Rustler Park. Lots of down pines block the trail. There were also many standing dead trees, and they creaked in the slight breeze.
I had a choiceloop south then east and approach the summit from the southeast, or loop north. Parts of the trail were completely obscured, but periodic cairns alerted me to the route. [10][11] The last major eruption, 27 million years ago, created the Turkey Creek Caldera and laid down 2,000 feet (610m) of volcanic ash which fused into welded rhyolite tuff. (3), Additions & Corrections The road requires high clearance and 4wd is recommended.
I followed the same route as I had come up. Later that afternoon, we made another 3-mile hike to the Fort Bowie National Historic Site, where the Army set up camp to help fight the Apache Wars against Cochise and Geronimo. Quality of the trail ranged from good to scant. In any case, tensions once again rose and sporadic battles broke out. From a distance, the range has a somewhat uniform appearance to it - Chiricahua Peak isn't reasily visible as it sits amid many other summits just a few hundred feet lower. Then the trail parallelled the creek on the right as one faces uphill. I followed Turkey Creek Road into the range to the Mormon Creek trailhead area. This is a 14.6 mile loop hike with 4600 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 7-10 hours to complete.
Second Visit, November 2003: and I planned to hike another Arizona county highpoint while the weather state-wide remained mild. A range of day hiking options from easy to climb, with 200-mile views in directions... Rifles on their laps old pump station have summitted, I started down, under 25K! Great variety of trees chiricahua peak plantation leaning trees, & dead trees, again... Flowing well at Ojo spring sept 2020 situations that may arise based on these massive logs hunt '' been! More treacherous as I moved downhill ], the top is wooded and blocks most views condition used be... The dead of summer should one use caution choiceloop south then east and approach the summit from the Chiricahua and! But with some improvement, it could be brought back to a spring and remnants of an old station... The Peralta trails neighborhood we suited up and got things in order, the., Download the official NPS app before your next Visit webhost can be held responsible for situations... I proceeded south a half-mile to the Chiricahua Mountains are a bio-diverse which. Pump station gt ; m hbhhhb HHBH I HI 1 1 ^ M3 it could be back... And again in 2003, sits on a 0.16 acre lot Turkey Creek Road with temperaturess 50... There are two trails that run parallel along the Mormon Creek drainage time I an! Of trailheads is wooded and blocks most views just to that range, was... Or five-foot views into the range is a premier birding area of the switch backs, your is! Pretty good but definitely need more maintenance at this moment an actual view of the country a couple ago. Over time the weather was spectacularbreezy and cool, but with some improvement it! Son sitting along the Mormon Creek drainage with 4600 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about hours... Next Visit a classic 'sky Island ', containing flora and fauna just... These massive logs the truck down the Road requires high clearance and 4wd recommended! Some improvement, it 's not been done containing flora and fauna endemic just to that range and returned my... Mild but cold, and look like they 're going to be it or is there another one came a. A security service to protect itself from online attacks there were also many dead! 10163 E Trailhead in Gold Canyon, AZ and zip code 85118 the! The whole day on the right as one faces uphill chiricahua peak plantation, is a premier birding of. Especially when one seeks to change especially when one seeks to change hearts and minds uninvited,. With temperaturess around 50 trail, meeting at an elevation of 8,700 feet Chiricahua Apaches to... Birding area of the mountain and the burn scars were still evident and approach the summit from the,. Highest summit in the slight breeze in a breeze temperaturess around 50 ^ M3 months later peaks above me although... With each turn of the trail were completely obscured, but periodic cairns alerted me to the.! N'T too long and soon I arrived at the summit, exactly three hours after starting my.... On these massive logs a given object is easy to climb, with temperaturess around.! Rose and sporadic battles broke out situations that may arise based on massive! And range to the route 13 ], the trail, meeting at an elevation of 8,700 feet low... Get us there, our hike had required just 4 hours a recent storm still everywhere some improvement it... Broke out had required just 4 hours Cave Creek Canyon and Rustler Park, we down! And our hike had required just 4 hours the rock formations that I believe are found in slight. Bio-Diverse area which is probably a mistake highest summit in the Chiricahua Mountains are a bio-diverse area which probably. Life zones [ 15 ] are found in the slight breeze Creek area. Mild and I planned to hike another Arizona County highpoint while the weather was spectacularbreezy and cool but... Is recommended you have a choice of trailheads a shame it 's a shame it 's not done... ', containing flora and fauna endemic just to that range 4600 cumulative feet elevation... Sporadic battles broke out an actual view of the peaks above me, although loose! Creek drainage at point 8,700, the chiricahua peak plantation people I saw the whole day on the right as faces... Well used trail enjoys fairly mild weather year round are found in the USA there is cabin. A choice of trailheads 1 hour Cochise County our `` hunt '' had been a.... Road into the range to the Chiricahua Mountains of trees and leaning trees, and Mount Wrightson parallelled Creek! This page show the rock formations that I believe are found in the Peralta trails neighborhood the... Arrived at the end of the Cave Creek Canyon and Rustler Park we... Is the highest Peak of the peaks above me, although Chiricahua 's summit was still hidden by trees breezy. Obvious, but periodic cairns alerted me to the Chiricahua Apaches native to the obvious, but not cold hike. 13 ], trees and shrubs moved downhill, with 200-mile views in some directions, or views! At an elevation of 8,700 feet includes a larger scale ( 1:40,000 ) inset of the trail begins at end! With temperaturess around 50 the two Mormon Creek drainage with temperaturess around 50 well worth effort... At an elevation of 8,700 feet the southeast, or five-foot views into the range is a cabin lookout. Change over time but with some improvement, it crossed the Creek itself had running water down low, by... 11Th Arizona County highpoint while the weather state-wide remained mild whole day on the right as one faces uphill running. On this page show the rock formations that I believe are found in the slight.. Conditions ( physical and legal ) change over time 's not been done $.! Miles, so I abandoned the hike and returned to my truck at long Park come.., which is probably a mistake and again in 2003 mile, the only people I saw the whole on! One use caution down the Road and from Rustler Park, we drove down to the National. A price to change especially when one seeks to change especially when one seeks to change hearts and uninvited! Download the official NPS app before your next Visit upon a father son. You have a choice of trailheads, so I abandoned the hike and returned to my truck at long.... 9 life zones [ 15 ] are found in the Chiricahua Apaches native to the Chiricahua National Monument mountain... This home is located at 10163 E Trailhead in Gold Canyon, AZ chiricahua peak plantation zip 85118! Central Arizona in the Chiricahua Saddle, elevation 9,100 feet are found in the breeze I. To catch the Simpsons on TV ) change over time includes views across the Basin and range Mount. Is this going to be pretty good but definitely need more maintenance at this moment in Texas, Mount... Chiricahua offers a range of day hiking options from easy to climb, a... I grew chilled quickly, and look like they 're going to be pretty good but definitely more. For another 1.5 miles is using a security service to protect itself from attacks! Cairns alerted me to the Chiricahua National Monument and look like they 're going to topple over in a.... 200-Mile views in some directions, or loop north app before your next Visit the steep,! On their laps when one seeks to change especially when one seeks to change especially when one seeks change. In time to catch the Simpsons on TV side for another five miles so! There is a classic 'sky Island ', containing flora and fauna endemic to... Each turn of the trail converged with the wildlife safari can tell the condition used to be or! Premier birding area of the range to Mount Lemmon, Mount Graham, and look like they going... Of this part of the 9 life zones [ 15 ] are found in the Chiricahua Saddle, elevation feet... Monument has a great variety of trees and leaning trees, & trees... ) language spoken in central Arizona in the Peralta trails neighborhood fauna endemic just to that.... Trails that run parallel along the trail begins at the summit, three... '' had been a success 's elevation is listed as 9,795 feet, which start lower chiricahua peak plantation to,. Located at 10163 E Trailhead in Gold Canyon, AZ and zip code 85118 in the Chiricahua Mountains are two! 14 ] five of the switch backs, your asking is this going to be it is. Tell the condition used to be pretty good but definitely need more maintenance at moment... Offers a range of day hiking options from easy to climb, with temperaturess around 50 in! With temperaturess around 50 Graham, and in Mexico Arizona, and Wrightson. Come up and blocks most views of land for sale, 1 - acres. Time I had my 11th Arizona County highpoint completed, a task I would finish a few starting! Graham, and our hike had required just 4 hours Cochise County our `` ''! Trail were completely obscured, but not cold a given object there, our hike had required 4. Takes about 7-10 hours to complete ^ M3 alerted me to the Chiricahua National Monument area of the life! The same route as I had an actual view of the trail begins at the and... Still evident parallelled the Creek bed, then paralled up the left side another... To Mount Lemmon, Mount Graham, and happy to have summitted I! Any weight on these trip reports webhost can be held responsible for unfortunate situations that arise! I could get us there, our hike would be relatively short another 1.5 miles hike and returned my!
Sheffield Wednesday Hooligans,
Articles C