Growing at elevations from around 5000 to over 7000 feet, the habitat transitions from lowland desert scrub to upper elevation pine-fir forests. Hiking info, trail maps, and 19 trip reports from Chiricahua Peak (9,759 ft) in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona Hiking info, trail maps, and 19 trip reports from Chiricahua Peak (9,759 ft) in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona Chiricahua Peak - Arizona | peakery peakery Log a climb Join/Login Log a climb Latest Peak Map Peak List If I could get us there, our hike would be relatively short. Second Visit, November 2003: and I planned to hike another Arizona county highpoint while the weather state-wide remained mild. The summit is marked by a benchmark in a boulder situated at the base of a large tree. Four distinct seasons. I left home at 4:15 a.m. and arrived to the range by 8:00 a.m. We suited up and got things in order, starting the hike at 9:10 a.m. 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. 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. This 1,910 square foot home, which was built in 2003, sits on a 0.16 acre lot. 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. The weather was spectacularbreezy and cool, but not cold. For example, the It is the highest summit in the Chiricahua Mountains and the highest point in Cochise County. About Chiricahua Peak is the name of a 9,763 feet (2,976 m) peak located in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona, located about 35 miles (56 km) north of the United States-Mexico border. I arrived back to my truck at 2 p.m. Home. 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. I tried to go underneath as often as I could, preferring not to touch or put any weight on these massive logs. Dates: (1) February 20, 2000; (2) November 8, 2003 At the top, the trail began a short but steep series of switchbacks. The trail begins at the end of the Sycamore campsites off a spur from Turkey Creek Road. Numerous peaks above 9,000 feet are found in the range. (29), Comments FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. The highest point, Chiricahua Peak, rises 9,759 feet above sea level, approximately 6,000 feet above the last edited: 10/10/16 published references on the geology of the Chiricahua Mountains *Badger, S.S., 1911, The Chiricahua Mountains: Engr. (3), Additions & Corrections Then the trail parallelled the creek on the right as one faces uphill. Distance: 2 miles These natural features, preserved in the Chiricahua National Monument, are composed of Rhyolite Canyon Tuff. It is the highest summit in the Chiricahua Mountains and the highest point in Cochise County. A "Wonderland of Rocks" is waiting for you to explore at Chiricahua National Monument. Kudos! Conditions (physical and legal) change over time! Rock the Rhyolite Hike for Your Health! Generally, this peak can be climbed about 9 months of the year.   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. So here it was, a month later. The range takes its name from the Chiricahua Apaches native to the region. I hiked a mile in soft snow, but the snow was up to my hips. Geography Geology Ecology 27 million by most sources). There are also speakers of Western Apache in the San . 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. Our "hunt" had been a success. [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. I have climbed the peak twice, in 2000 by myself, and again in 2003. Spring is the optimal time to visit, with high temperatures ranging from the mid-60s in March to the low-80s in May. Main Hike a combined 5 mi / 8 km in the park and earn a commemorative pin from a park ranger. The most popular route comes in from the north via Rustler Park campground, high on the main range crest. The most popular route comes in from the north via Rustler Park campground, high on the main range crest. 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. I tried to go underneath as often as I could, preferring not to touch or put any weight on these massive logs. Map includes a larger scale (1:40,000) inset of the Cave Creek Canyon and Rustler Park areas. There are miles of hiking trails amid these fascinating rock formations. I followed Turkey Creek Road into the range to the Mormon Creek trailhead area. $557,900. 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. 1. I had a choiceloop south then east and approach the summit from the southeast, or loop north. I met with a couple of hikers at Point 8,700, the only people I saw the whole day on the route. I hiked a mile in soft snow, but the snow was up to my hips. You can now make campground reservations online. mining, farming, etc. The towers can be a hundred+ feet tall, and look like they're going to topple over in a breeze. It was hunting season and we came upon a father and son sitting along the trail, rifles on their laps. Did not go down to that spring. Forests cover much of the range, and a vast network of trails and camping areas offer multitudes of possibilities for hiking, camping and exploring. Broadly speaking, there are six basic plant communities, and each supports a unique subset of birds." A large fire from a couple years ago had defoliated much of this part of the mountain and the burn scars were still evident. Most of the band was relocated to the San Carlos Reservation about 100 miles to the north, but a renegade faction lead by Geronimo fought a guerrilla war during 1882-1886 until he was caught and sent into internal exile. The hike itself wasn't bad. The home is currently under renovation, but the grounds are available for self-guided visits. It grows in three Sky Island mountain ranges, scattered locations in Texas, and in Mexico. 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 trail begins at the end of the Sycamore campsites off a spur from Turkey Creek Road. The quadrangle is located about 70 km southeast of Willcox, Ariz. Photo: Edal, CC BY-SA 3.0. Campsite List Seasons & Fees Rules & Cancellations Facility Information For Sale: Single Family home, $415,000, 3 Bd, 2.5 Ba, 1,764 Sqft, $235/Sqft, at 18481 E Azul Ct, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118 The high point in the Chiricahua Mountains - Chiricahua Peak - is 9,795 feet (2,986 meters) above sea level. Chiricahua Peak, Arizona Prominence: 5139 ft, 1567 m Elevation: 9759 feet, 2975 meters True Isolation: 64.19 mi, 103.31 km Other Photos Views on the Crest Trail just south of Chiricahua Pek (2019-11-15). I decided to follow the Crest Trail (signed) north to the saddle between Chiricahua and Anita Peaks, elevation 9,500 feet. Our "hunt" had been a success. MM BH Pass . 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. The trailhead's elevation is approximately 6,400 feet. I had a choiceloop south then east and approach the summit from the southeast, or loop north. The day was mild but cold, and snow from a recent storm still everywhere. Date: November 9, 2003 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. Thunderstorms are very common in the summer and this range lies pretty much in the center of the typical monsoon pattern. A talus field (with no trees) allowed for excellent views all the way down to the desert floor. The Chiricahua sky island rises about . There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Main Main [7] 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. 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. Main The trailhead's elevation is approximately 6,400 feet. Chiricahua offers a range of day hiking options from easy to strenuous. . The Chiricahua Mountains dominate southeast Arizona. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. I make my way through the burned forest So here it was, a month later. [19], Trees and hoodoos, Chiricahua National Monument. Turn right (south) on AZ 186 and continue for 23 miles. 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. Lots of down pines block the trail. To my knowledge none of these are visible on any standard route up Chiricahua Peak. Leave US-191 at AZ-181 and proceed due east through Sunizona. There are miles of hiking trails amid these fascinating rock formations. The day was clear and brilliant, with 200-mile views in some directions, or five-foot views into the trees. It was $3 to park at the Rustler Park TH in November 2003, or $10 to camp. 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 . Riparian means the forest is found near a water drainage-way. 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. We spent a little more time here, trying to see things from various points around the summit area. 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. Since you're in the area, definitely spend a day in the Chiricahua National Monument. Date: November 9, 2003 Chiricahua is about 120 miles east of the major city of Tucson, which has good air service. I arrived back to my truck at 2 p.m. Page 162 of 164. I salvaged the day with a drive up the Coronado Highway and a visit to the Greenlee County Highpoint, plus a speeding ticket. First Visit, February 2000: I was here in January to hike Chiricahua Peak, intending to hike the Crest Trail from Rustler Park. The hike down was quick, although the loose rocks were more treacherous as I moved downhill. After hiking the steep switchbacks, the trail converged with the upper Mormon trail, meeting at an elevation of 8,700 feet. Photo by Bradley R. 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. Here are tips for enjoying wildlife and staying safe. Since the wildfire that went thru here years ago, the area is pretty devastated. Flys Peak On the Crest Trail a view of Flys Peak with large tracts of burned trees from the 1994 fire (2015-04-28). 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. Chiricahua Peak is the name of a 9,763 feet (2,976m) peak located in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona, located about 35 miles (56km) north of the United StatesMexico border. It was along this stretch I encountered the first of the treefall. Our "hunt" had been a success. I hiked the peak from Mormon Creek (lower) trailhead, which had a large parking area. The summit is marked by a benchmark in a boulder situated at the base of a large tree. It was along this stretch I encountered the first of the treefall. The most popular route comes in from the north via Rustler Park campground, high on the main range crest. 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. There were also many standing dead trees, and they creaked in the slight breeze. After hiking the steep switchbacks, the trail converged with the upper Mormon trail, meeting at an elevation of 8,700 feet.   The summit team 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. Another option are the two Mormon Creek routes, which start lower down. 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. With each turn of the switch backs, your asking is this going to be it or is there another one? If I could get us there, our hike would be relatively short. Another option are the two Mormon Creek routes, which start lower down. Roger Weller, geology instructor. For the first time I had an actual view of the peaks above me, although Chiricahua's summit was still hidden by trees. 1) is east-southeast of Tucson, Ariz., in the Chiricahua Moun tains. It was hunting season and we came upon a father and son sitting along the trail, rifles on their laps. Then the trail parallelled the creek on the right as one faces uphill. Look for an unlocked gate near some FS buildings on the far "left" end of the campground. I left home at 4:15 a.m. and arrived to the range by 8:00 a.m. 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. The ArizonaMountains Gazetteer This peak offers excellent scenic views. A one to two mile wide band of sedimentary rock running southeast to northwest from south of Portal through Paradise and up to the Dos Cabezas Mountains is the source of mineralized deposits. In the breeze, I grew chilled quickly, and happy to have summitted, I started down. Quality of the trail ranged from good to scant. After gathering my gear and talking with some guy camping, I hit the trail. A couple of days with a few chainsaws and this trail could be seriously revitalized. Not hot takes on history, culture, geopolitics, politics, and occasional ghost stories. Elevation: 7,310 feet For the photogenic and geologic formations, in the range's north, see, Chiricahua Mountains northeast flank (from, Descripcion Geografica, Natural y Curiosa de la Provincia de Sonora, by Juan Nentvig, 1764. du Bray, Edward A. and John S. Pallister, "Recrystallization and anatexis along the plutonic-volcanic contact of the Turkey Creek caldera, Arizona". I wasn't keen on battling this for another five miles, so I abandoned the hike and returned to my truck. 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. 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 weather had been mild and I hoped the snow had melted off. From Long Park, we followed a mostly-level trail south for two-thirds of a mile to the Crest Trail (Trail 270). Sugarloaf Peak Sold 1 Acre 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 day was clear and brilliant, with 200-mile views in some directions, or five-foot views into the trees. Please correct me if I'm mistaken. The day was clear and brilliant, with 200-mile views in some directions, or five-foot views into the trees. Arizona Tons of downed trees and leaning trees, & dead trees everywhere. LoJ I was back home just in time to catch The Simpsons on TV. Centella Point, Chiricahua Peak and Flys Peak, are within easy distance along connecting trails. 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. 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. However, I could readily see some of the nearby peaks such as Anita Peak. 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. Cochise County, Arizona. I stayed 15 minutes at the top. Prominence: 661 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. Date: November 9, 2003 I was back home just in time to catch The Simpsons on TV. 12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd A talus field (with no trees) allowed for excellent views all the way down to the desert floor. 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