SE Arizona History Tour January 1/17-1/18/25

[ttora4runner]

Back at the beginning of January after coming back from a mountain biking trip in NW Phoenix I got a sudden itch/urge to get out and do some exploring away from the area for a bit. My initial thought was to head back to SW Arizona to explore an area I'd hadn't been to since leaving the Yuma area 15 years ago but the SE corner grab my attention since that was an area I've never been. My initial thought was to hike the highest peak in the area Chiricahua but the road up to the trailhead is closed in the winter so I looking elsewhere in the area and decided to check out the Fort Bowie area, Chiricahua National Monument, Camp Rucker and the Geronimo surrender site (sort of).

Early morning one Friday morning I headed out to Fort Bowie.

From the trailhead along Apache Pass

 

[ttora4runner]

 

[ttora4runner]

After I arrived back at my truck is was up and over to Apache Pass to Chiricahua National Monument and camp for the night.


The national monument in the background.

 

[ttora4runner]

First stop once entering monument was Faraway Ranch Historic District.
















Building was closed during my visit so I couldn't see the displays inside.












Same deer from the earlier photo.








After checking out the ranch I headed over to visitor center to see what was there and the campground I would be staying at for the night before heading to the lookout tower on Sugarloaf mountain.

 

[ttora4runner]

Sugarloaf Mountain trail - a fairly easy trail just had one slick spot of ice.









The lookout.










Chiricahua peak in the background


Tomorrows hike would be down in this area.






At some point I'll lean to take some better photos but till then here is the dork behind the camera out exploring the area (yes, it was cold when I was up there).


Backdown the trail.






Camp for the night was at Bonita Canyon campground. The one thing I noticed when I first checked it out was the number of campers/RVs and very few tents (think I saw 2) though the area had concessions for it. The campground also didn't have fire rings just a grill so a campfire was a no go which got my thinking do I sent up my tent or just sleep in the bed of my truck. I opted for the later which ended up being a good as the temperatures dropped to the low 20s that night and between a bag rated for 22* and an additional blanket I was still cold, I could only imagine it only would've been colder a tent. I did have a little buddy heater but wasn't comfortable with using that in the bed of my truck. Regardless, I made it though the night and got up just as the sun was getting it.

Think I managed around 11 hours of sleep going to bed around 8, since their were no fires, being a dark sky park, barely to no cell service, cold and not feeling like sitting in my truck to read a book. I needed the sleep. 😀🙃

 

[ttora4runner]

The next morning it was time to hike the Echo Canyon loop and out to Inspiration Point.









Sugarloaf Mountain

 

[ttora4runner]

Inspiration Point - another hike who I passed on the way back asked if I was 'inspired' to which I replied 'No' and we both laughed.




On returning to the parking lot I found it to be completely full and then some. I thought that this area was remoted and small enough that there wouldn't be alot of people, guess I was wrong.

 

[ttora4runner]

After a short break it was off to the camp Rucker area.

Looking back at the monument.


Camp Rucker

 

[ttora4runner]

After a exploring the camp it was time for a lunch break and to enjoy the view and solitude (there were some hunters I passed and talked to but they were long go at this time).

 

[ttora4runner]

The next and final stop on the trip was to be the site of Geronimo surrender but what I learned later after getting cell service and something that I didn't find in my research before the trip was that the ranchers in the area have blocked access to the road (seems like it was around 2010) and people have struggled to get ahold of the ranchers to drive the road (looks like a typical county road on the maps) to reach the site. Only access now it appears is from the New Mexico side and hiking down the canyon. So what you are left with is the road side monument better than nothing.





At this point I had two choices continue on to a campground outside of Portal, Arizona or to make the 5 hours trip back home. Since I had to be Colorado on Monday for a week I decided it was best to head home and spend Sunday getting things ready and relaxing (had to make church as well , for those who care). I plan on revisiting the area once the road up to the trailhead to Chiricahua is open. The most important thing was the I was able to scratch that itch and get out to explore.

Overall, it was a great and easy trip.

 

[STREGA]

Thanks for the trip report, one of these days I want to get over to the East side of Arizona and see it.
Your pictures were good 👍

 

[BnDadventures]

Thats my backyard. Check out Empire Ranch if you get back down this way.

 

[toddz69]

I'm not sure how I initially missed this report, but thanks for it and all the pics! I'm going to have to look up Farraway Ranch and Camp Rucker as I'm not familiar with them. Two buddies and I tried to get down to Fort Bowie last year but our schedules didn't coincide. I'm not sure if we'll be able to do it this year or not.

Todd Z.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Thanks for posting!