Chiricauha National Monument

On February 17 we took a day trip to Chiracuha National Monument, about 60 miles from Double Adobe. It is the area where Cochise and Geronimo and their Apache tribes fought the U.S. Army. The area is called a Sky Island mountain range so called because it, along with several others in Southeast Arizona and Northern Mexico rises from the “seas” of grasslands that surround them. It has in incredibly diverse flora an fauna. We were there during the daytime and I am finding you really need to be places at dusk and dawn to get decent photos but I have a few posted that turned out not too bad. We hope to go back for a camping trip on the bike this next week, as time permits.

From the entrance to the park the road climbs from 4000 feet to 8000 feet. The day we were there was pretty hazy in the distance to the west, better to the northeast. The area is famous for its rock formations with many, many balanced rocks. Lots of hiking trails. Lots of bears. The campground has a sign warning campers to be certain to put all foods in the provided bear proof storage boxes and has shut down the showers because the bears are also attracted to the scents of soaps and shampoos. The authorities make it clear that they will eject you from the campground if you don’t follow the rules to keep bears out. Several bears have been trapped and relocated and a few have had to be shot.

The area was settled by Neil and Emma Erickson in the late 1800’s. They established the Faraway Ranch which ultimately became a destination for rich vacationers. The family is largely credited with making the area a National Monument through extensive lobbying efforts. The old ranch house is open for tours today.

The rest of the photos are here.