Chiracahua's and Dragoons, Southern AZ 01/16/10

[timh]

We took a day trip down south on Saturday to do some scouting for the upcoming Southern Arizona Adventure. We left before 6am and drove down I-10 to San Simon. We headed south down the San Simon-Paradise Rd. to the NE side of the Chiracahua's.

We stopped at the Paradise Cemetery for a break.

We then continued on through the town of Portal and onto part of the route for the upcoming adventure in March. This is the road going up into Cave Creek.

From Cave Creek we continued up and over the Chiracahua's, this was the first time I had been all the way over and I will be going back, it was beautiful!

We stopped at the top in Onion Pass for another break. Michelle headed off into the bushes to take care of business and scared up 3 Coatimundi. I followed them into the trees and was able to get close enough for some great shots.

I never knew what kind of sounds these little guys made but I took some video so you could hear. It was a great experience to see them up close, they are usually pretty stealthy.

 

[timh]

After our time with the Coatimundi we started down the west side of the mountain. There was a bit if ice on the road so we had to take it slow and easy!

This beautiful 5x5 Muley buck was standing on the side of the road as we passed, I pulled over and he just meandered across the road!

We spent a little time on pavement to get across to the Dragoons. We turned off in Pearce and headed up Middlemarch Rd.

On the west side of the Dragoons we went up a side road to scout a few large group campsites.

A long day on the road, almost 12 hours but it was worth it. We have a couple more areas to scout out before the end of March, hopefully each trip is as good as this one was!

 

[KSJeep]

Nice area and interesting little critters.

 

[Wes Craiglow]

Are you sure you didn't accidentally steer into a wildlife park?! WOW! Amazing.

I enjoy solitude when I go out, but never mind these types of companions.

Well done.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Tim,

Nice shots of the Coatimundi. They usualy are pretty stealthy.

I love the Chiracahua area. Sometime try driving all the way down to Rodeo, NM right on the AZ - NM border and drive up into Horseshoe canyon in the Southern end of the Chiracahua's. Very remote and beautiful country. Nice to have this in our backyard. :elkgrin:

 

[timh]

Tim,

Nice shots of the Coatimundi. They usualy are pretty stealthy.

I love the Chiracahua area. Sometime try driving all the way down to Rodeo, NM right on the AZ - NM border and drive up into Horseshoe canyon in the Southern end of the Chiracahua's. Very remote and beautiful country. Nice to have this in our backyard. :elkgrin:

Thanks, my wife and I had never driven over the mountains before, but now we are very intrigued and plan to spend more time down there. Definately going to have to camp there this summer!:wings:

 

[Michael Slade]

I thought the title of the thread said: 'Chupacabras and Dragons'. I got all excited.

 

[timh]

I thought the title of the thread said: 'Chupacabras and Dragons'. I got all excited.

OK, thats funny!:xxrotflma

 

[korisu56]

I was out in those exact locations over Christmas. My mother lives 4 miles from Counsel Rocks on that ranch attached to the NF. Beautiful area, and I'm definitely planning a trip there.