Cochise County, Arizona. The views at the named peak were better than at the highpoint, with views straight into La Barge . Of note is that perhaps the last remaining jaguar in the United States is found here, a male named Sombra by wildlife officials. 8890 330 Hiking info for Chiricahua Peak via Mormon Ridge and Pole Bridge Loop, located in Coronado National Forest, Arizona. This report is not meant to replace maps, compass, gps and other common sense hiking/navigation items. 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). Chiricahua Peak is located in southeastern Arizona, and is one of the Ultra-Prominent peaks of the lower 48 and also an Arizona 2000 ft. prominence peak. 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. I arrived back to my truck at 2 p.m. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It was along this stretch I encountered the first of the treefall. Distance: 2 miles Distance Learning Sugarloaf Peak Scrambling through hundreds of trees on their sides is quite difficult, the tangle of logs and branches nearly impenetrable. Manzanita is threatening to take over near the top but can still get through. Gain: 500 feet The trail leads through some pretty meadows. 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). We met another group back at my truck at Long Park. From point 8,700, I proceeded south a half-mile to the Chiricahua Saddle, elevation 9,100 feet. 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. I have climbed the peak twice, in 2000 by myself, and again in 2003. Explore Map Collection. [12] Subsequent erosion has created mountain ridges covered in stone spires and stone columns, hoodoos, that rise up out of the forest. Thankfully, this segment wasn't too long and soon I arrived at the summit, exactly three hours after starting my hike. Past the campgrounds and trailheads at Rustler Park, we drove to the guard station buildings and found the gate to a lesser road leading to Long Park. The Chiricahua sky island rises about . I arrived back to my truck at 2 p.m. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 3 min to complete. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Explore away. There is a price to change especially when one seeks to change hearts and minds uninvited. Like my first time here, the top is wooded and blocks most views. Breathtaking at the top and well worth the effort! First Visit, February 2000: I was here in January to hike Chiricahua Peak, intending to hike the Crest Trail from Rustler Park. Chiricahua Peak is easy to climb, with a few possible starting points ranging from half-day hikes to longer overnighters. the views are amazing. For the first time I had an actual view of the peaks above me, although Chiricahua's summit was still hidden by trees. Check out our basemaps. There are two trails that run parallel along the Mormon Creek drainage. Time: 1 hour It is the highest summit in the Chiricahua Mountains and the highest point in Cochise County. The weather was spectacularbreezy and cool, but not cold. This peak offers excellent scenic views. The Chiricahua Mountains are located in southeast Arizona in Cochise County and the summit, Chiricahua Peak, is the highest point of the county and one of just 57 "Ultra" prominent peaks in the lower-48 states, with over 5,000 feet of prominence above the desert floors. In the breeze, I grew chilled quickly, and happy to have summitted, I started down. I wasn't keen on battling this for another five miles, so I abandoned the hike and returned to my truck. Parts of the trail were completely obscured, but periodic cairns alerted me to the route. From Long Park, we followed a mostly-level trail south for two-thirds of a mile to the Crest Trail (Trail 270). 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 best times to visit this trail are March through November. Because of this, over 1000 plant species grow within the Monument's boundary, and many are endemic only to the Chiricahua Mountains. 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. I decided to follow the Crest Trail (signed) north to the saddle between Chiricahua and Anita Peaks, elevation 9,500 feet. Sugarloaf Peak Chiricahua Mountains That's over a $1,000 discount. Quality of the trail ranged from good to scant. So here it was, a month later. 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. 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. Main There aren't any views from the summit, unfortunately. [14] Five of the 9 life zones[15] are found in the Chiricahua Mountains. 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 summit is marked by a benchmark in a boulder situated at the base of a large tree. However, I could readily see some of the nearby peaks such as Anita Peak. In the breeze, I grew chilled quickly, and happy to have summitted, I started down. (c) 2000 - 2019 Scott Surgent. Page 162 of 164. . 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. Summer could be too hot even at this elevation and one would have to deal with frequent thunderstorms. 1/4 to 2/3 of the trail, spikes and thorns, many fallen trees, a big problem. 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. In a sunrise ceremony in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks monument, Chiricahua Apache and Piros speak of the importance of place names and tradition. I tried to go underneath as often as I could, preferring not to touch or put any weight on these massive logs. Chiricahua National Monument. A talus field (with no trees) allowed for excellent views all the way down to the desert floor. I followed Turkey Creek Road into the range to the Mormon Creek trailhead area. The range contains 85 named peaks and lies within the Basin and Range Province. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. Our "hunt" had been a success. It is located at just a kilometre to the north of Trakiya motorway. Elevation: 7,310 feet Past the campgrounds and trailheads at Rustler Park, we drove to the guard station buildings and found the gate to a lesser road leading to Long Park. I decided to follow the Crest Trail (signed) north to the saddle between Chiricahua and Anita Peaks, elevation 9,500 feet. Rucker Canyon Road (dirt) leads to campsites from the south, and AZ-80 has access roads allowiong access from the east side. This trail is great for hiking and running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. It was $3 to park at the Rustler Park TH in November 2003, or $10 to camp. Cochise County Date: November 9, 2003 iv, no. Hike a combined 5 mi / 8 km in the park and earn a commemorative pin from a park ranger. mining, farming, etc. Trails ranging from short nature walks to long loops are available, intermingling with the amazing spires.The mountains are named after the Chiricahua Apache Indians that lived in the area. 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. It is flat for a few hundred yards, then swings left, where a sign mentions the distance to the peak as 5 miles. In Chiricahua, this is an oak woodland or riparian forest. I followed the same route as I had come up. The range is a result of a massive volcanic event, the Turkey Creek eruption, from 27 million years ago. A not well-maintained trail, not recommended. 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. After a mile, the trail came to a spring and remnants of an old pump station.   A talus field (with no trees) allowed for excellent views all the way down to the desert floor. 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. I didn't have any plans, so I decided to go back to the Chiricahua Range on a whim. The weather had been mild and I hoped the snow had melted off. View back along the Silver Peak Trail as the trail heads northwest. wellerr@cochise.edu. LoJ Another option are the two Mormon Creek routes, which start lower down. (1 ), Chiricahua Peak - Cochise County AZ Highpoint. 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. 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. Chiricahua Mountain Range (massif), and its sub-Ranges, with the bordering valleys. The exit took 90 minutes, and our hike had required just 4 hours. We returned along the Crest Trail, and while en route back to Long Park we also ascended Paint Rock (9,375 feet . 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. 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 views are really good now of course, as all the tress that were there, are gone. At the top, the trail began a short but steep series of switchbacks. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. At the top, the trail began a short but steep series of switchbacks. 3 Beds. (from 20 different species), snow geese, and tundra swans during peak season, in November. I hiked a mile in soft snow, but the snow was up to my hips. Here are tips for enjoying wildlife and staying safe. $407,000 Last Sold Price. Phone +1 520-824-3560. The trail begins at the end of the Sycamore campsites off a spur from Turkey Creek Road. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. Gain: 3,300 feet in 2000, 700 feet in 2003 12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd The Chiricahua Mountains dominate southeast Arizona. 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. Scrambling through hundreds of trees on their sides is quite difficult, the tangle of logs and branches nearly impenetrable. I stayed 15 minutes at the top. Centella Point, Chiricahua Peak and Flys Peak, are within easy distance along connecting trails. The trail begins at the end of the Sycamore campsites off a spur from Turkey Creek Road. Rock pinnacles are the result of the erosion of compacted volcanic ash from the eruption of an ancient volcano just south of the park. The day was clear and brilliant, with 200-mile views in some directions, or five-foot views into the trees. 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. 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. I met with a couple of hikers at Point 8,700, the only people I saw the whole day on the route. I left home at 4:15 a.m. and arrived to the range by 8:00 a.m. 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. At a Glance General Information Directions: From Tucson, take I-10 east 81 miles. Then the trail parallelled the creek on the right as one faces uphill. "Chiricahua National Monument Geology Footnotes", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chiricahua_Peak&oldid=1114269427, This page was last edited on 5 October 2022, at 17:10. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a12b096ed270e36 After gathering my gear and talking with some guy camping, I hit the trail. a preserved antebellum-era plantation in the country. Please correct me if I'm mistaken. 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. The range is a result of a massive volcanic event, the Turkey Creek eruption, from 27 million years ago. Time: 6 hours in 2000, 3 hours in 2003 We met another group back at my truck at Long Park. The most popular route comes in from the north via Rustler Park campground, high on the main range crest. 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. Second Visit, November 2003: and I planned to hike another Arizona county highpoint while the weather state-wide remained mild. Second Visit, November 2003: and I planned to hike another Arizona county highpoint while the weather state-wide remained mild. 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. Home. $557,900. Scrambling through hundreds of trees on their sides is quite difficult, the tangle of logs and branches nearly impenetrable. [1], The earliest evidence of humans in the vicinity of the Chiricahua Mountains are Clovis archeological sites such as Double Adobe Site in the Whitewater Draw tributary of Rucker Creek north of Douglas. 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). 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. 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. See my trip report on PeakBagger: https://peakbagger.com/climber/ascent.aspx?aid=1279987, View Chiricahua Peak Image Gallery - 24 Images. 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). Here are nine things to know before you go. At the top, the trail began a short but steep series of switchbacks. It was hunting season and we came upon a father and son sitting along the trail, rifles on their laps. Photo by Graeme Rankine. I have climbed the peak twice, in 2000 by myself, and again in 2003. Hot dry exposed the whole way but trail clear. The home is currently under renovation, but the grounds are available for self-guided visits. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Chiricahua offers a range of day hiking options from easy to strenuous. Kudos! Hike a combined 5 mi / 8 km in the park and earn a commemorative pin from a park ranger. At the time of Spanish colonial contact, the Chiricahua lived in what are now the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Interestingly enough, the peak does have a little shade as some of the trees were spared right on top. Campsite List Seasons & Fees Rules & Cancellations Facility Information 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. You can now make campground reservations online. Conditions: Sunny and cool The The Chiricahua Peak 7lk -minute quadrangle (fig. Ugh!! 160.153.246.108 After another three-quarters of a mile, it crossed the creek bed, then paralled up the left side for another 1.5 miles. 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. It is the highest summit in the Chiricahua Mountains and the highest point in Cochise County. Past the campgrounds and trailheads at Rustler Park, we drove to the guard station buildings and found the gate to a lesser road leading to Long Park. 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