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 . There are two trails that run parallel along the Mormon Creek drainage. After another three-quarters of a mile, it crossed the creek bed, then paralled up the left side for another 1.5 miles. 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 hike starts within the Chiricahua National Monument so obey any rules there but the actual peak lies outside the Monument; see map below. I don't know which is best, but I can tell you the best views I found were on the Crest Trail south of the peak. 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. We followed the Crest Trail south, contouring past Flys Peak, coming to a meadow at Round Park, then contoured around smaller peaks before coming to Cima Park ("Park" is used in these cases to refer to saddles along the range crest). The prominant species include manzanita, Arizona Sycamore, alligator juniper, oaks, pines, Arizona cypress, madrone, and acacia. The systematics and natural history of thirty-eight North American (Canada, USA and Mxico) species of the genus Crematogaster are discussed and the distributions are mapped. Then, I met the love of my life, married her, and we came back in November 2003 for another visit, her first time in the range. Check out our basemaps. From here it was a consistently moderate uphill grade along nice wide trail. The fort was decommissioned in 1894 and today is just stone foundations and the occasional adobe walls that look like they're melting into the earth. However, I could readily see some of the nearby peaks such as Anita Peak. The benchmark's elevation is listed as 9,795 feet, which is probably a mistake. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. These relics span the period from 150 BCE 1450. Forests cover much of the range, and a vast network of trails and camping areas offer multitudes of possibilities for hiking, camping and exploring. After gathering my gear and talking with some guy camping, I hit the trail. I decided to follow the Crest Trail (signed) north to the saddle between Chiricahua and Anita Peaks, elevation 9,500 feet. We drove the roads and took a walking tour of Faraway Ranch, the home of the Ericksons, homesteaders whose efforts led to the formation of the Chiricahua National Monument years later. 9.32 mi / 3143 ft gain Chiricahua Mountain Range (massif), and its sub-Ranges, with the bordering valleys. The trail begins at the end of the Sycamore campsites off a spur from Turkey Creek Road. The highest point, Chiricahua Peak, rises 9,759 feet (2,975m) above sea level, approximately 6,000 feet (1,800m) above the surrounding valleys. There are also speakers of Western Apache in the San . The NM features thousands of eroded tuff spires and hoodoos, similar (but different in origin) to those you would see in Utah at Bryce Canyon. We spent a little more time here, trying to see things from various points around the summit area. At the top, the trail began a short but steep series of switchbacks. This trail is great for hiking and running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. There were also many standing dead trees, and they creaked in the slight breeze. Performance & security by Cloudflare. First Visit, February 2000: I was here in January to hike Chiricahua Peak, intending to hike the Crest Trail from Rustler Park. Browse Map. The Chiricahua Mountains are an uplifted structural block of the Basin and Range. After gathering my gear and talking with some guy camping, I hit the trail. View back along the Silver Peak Trail as the trail heads northwest. Chiricahua Mountains Elevation: 7,310 feet As with the rest of the Chiricahua Mountains, the peak was formed as the result of a violent volcanic . The blast sent prodigious amounts of ash into the air. Quality of the trail ranged from good to scant. [citation needed], The first recorded mining claim in the Chiricahua Mountains was the Hidden Treasure claim filed in 1881, and mining has continued intermittently to the present with the greatest periods of activity occurring in the 1920s and 1950s. 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). However, I could readily see some of the nearby peaks such as Anita Peak. You can now make campground reservations online. Hot dry exposed the whole way but trail clear. The weather was breezy but nice, with temperaturess around 50. The Chiricahua Mountains massif is a large mountain range in southeastern Arizona which is part of the Basin and Range province of the west and southwestern United States and northwest Mexico; the range is part of the Coronado National Forest. It grows in three Sky Island mountain ranges, scattered locations in Texas, and in Mexico. (c) 2000 - 2019 Scott Surgent. 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. In addition, Willcox Playa is visible in the basin below. A dichotomous key to the workers is included. 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. Photo by Bradley R. The hike itself wasn't bad. Sugarloaf Peak Chiricahua Peak to Monte Vista Peak Loop is a loop trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Elfrida, Arizona. The range contains 85 named peaks and lies within the Basin and Range Province. A large fire from a couple years ago had defoliated much of this part of the mountain and the burn scars were still evident. Of note is that perhaps the last remaining jaguar in the United States is found here, a male named Sombra by wildlife officials. In the breeze, I grew chilled quickly, and happy to have summitted, I started down. 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. 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. Ecommerce; motivational interviewing spirit. May finance the purchase of all three, but not one lot. The benchmark's elevation is listed as 9,795 feet, which is probably a mistake.   The most popular route comes in from the north via Rustler Park campground, high on the main range crest. Conditions: Sunny and cool Lots 7, 8, & 9. I was back home just in time to catch The Simpsons on TV. There is a cabin and lookout tower on this peak. Print a Map Plus. LoJ There were also many standing dead trees, and they creaked in the slight breeze. After another three-quarters of a mile, it crossed the creek bed, then paralled up the left side for another 1.5 miles. AZ P1K It was hunting season and we came upon a father and son sitting along the trail, rifles on their laps. Conditions: Cold and icy in 2003, drier and nippy in 2003 Manzanita is threatening to take over near the top but can still get through. We drove the roads and took a walking tour of Faraway Ranch, the home of the Ericksons, homesteaders whose efforts led to the formation of the Chiricahua National Monument years later. The Chiricahua Mountains massif is a large mountain range in southeastern Arizona which is part of the Basin and Range province of the west and southwestern United States and northwest Mexico; the range is part of the Coronado National Forest. The range is a result of a massive volcanic event, the Turkey Creek eruption, from 27 million years ago. We met another group back at my truck at Long Park. I hiked a mile in soft snow, but the snow was up to my hips. Photo by Graeme Rankine. Main There aren't any views from the summit, unfortunately.   From Long Park, we followed a mostly-level trail south for two-thirds of a mile to the Crest Trail (Trail 270). A not well-maintained trail, not recommended. Kudos! Spanning 12,025 acres in southern Arizona, Chiricahua National Monument is the result of the eruption of Turkey Creek Volcano millions of years ago; as the ash cooled, it formed rhyolite layers that eroded . The hike down was quick, although the loose rocks were more treacherous as I moved downhill. AZ P1K Hunters are present in Oct-Dec. Campsites are everywhere in this range and along both approach routes. 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. [7], More recently, the Chiricahuas have fallen into use by people smugglers and drug cartels, who position lookouts on their peaks to warn of Border Patrol activities.[8][9]. Chiricahua Peak is easy to climb, with a few possible starting points ranging from half-day hikes to longer overnighters. From here it was a consistently moderate uphill grade along nice wide trail. Download the park's bird checklist for your visit. The trailhead's elevation is approximately 6,400 feet. Chiricahua Mountains Southeast Arizona, and Chiricahua in particular, is a premier birding area of the country. (See also www.roguegeopolitics.com). Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' 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. I was back home just in time to catch The Simpsons on TV. I know of no special fees other than the normal campsite fees. 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. v one dollar carving up the cabinet mts wilderness miners and freddies vs. Map. View of the Chiricahua Mountains from the Painted Pony Resort in Rodeo, NM. After a mile, the trail came to a spring and remnants of an old pump station. The Chiricahua Mountains are an uplifted structural block of the Basin and Range. They had come up the upper Mormon Creek trail and they mentioned there were good views along this route. Fortunately they do not. 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]. 85643, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. A "Wonderland of Rocks" is waiting for you to explore at Chiricahua National Monument. To my knowledge none of these are visible on any standard route up Chiricahua Peak. Chiricahua National Monument has a great variety of trees and shrubs. The mountains contain Precambrian basement rocks, Paleozoic and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks around a caldera complex formed by volcanic eruptions and intrusions 35-25 million years ago. 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