Visiting Chiricahua National Monument

 This morning, Saturday, April 3rd, the sun beat through our window at 7:30 when I got up.  Last evening I drove the Jeep up further into the canyon and looked to see if I could find a better parking site, but couldn't find one.  Quite a few smaller rigs parked in the trees.

This morning, I wasn't in a hurry, so enjoyed a nice slow breakfast.  The road to the top of Chiricahua Mountains is on the other side of the one in front of me to the north.

It was 11:30 when we made the four mile rough ride out of Pinery Canyon and to the entrance.  No one at the gate and there is no entrance fee.

The first stop was several miles up the road and it was the Faraway Ranch, the first settlement in this area.

Yuma meets a friend in the parking area of the ranch.

I was surprised at how modern the Riggs home was.  Large and beautiful, but unfortunately it was locked.

Same cabin as the one above the main house but looking back across the creek bridge.

After leaving the ranch, it was a beautiful five mile drive on a very nice asphalt road to the top.  It starts out in the forest and ends up going around hair-pin curves overlooking cliffs towards the summit.  There are endless numbers of Hoodoos everywhere.

At the top of the summit.

I could see a small building on the top of Sugarloaf Mountain north of the summit.  I had passed a turn-off that went towards the mountain.  Maybe, I can drive up there.

Hoodoos, Hoodoos, Hoodoos!

Had a very nice time and it wasn't a long drive from where we are staying, but it is over 40 miles from Interstate 10.

We drove up the side road to the parking area for the Sugarloaf Mountain trail to the top. Two miles round trip by foot😩.  Not bad but I was tired, so maybe tomorrow.

Just before we got to the White Lion, I saw wild turkeys crossing the road ahead.

Stopped the Jeep where they crossed.  Must have been about nine of them now meandering through the brush.

Turned around to go back to the Jeep and there was number ten all bewildered and stuck between me and his friends😱  What does he do?

Serious guy determined to stifle his fears and make a dash across the road.  Lucky to catch him he was moving so fast.😀

Took a little hike before dinner up the wash in front of the White Lion.

Long day but fun.  Sure glad I made the decision to drive up here.

Thanks for stopping by.

Move to Chiricahua National Monument

Friday, April 2 

Doing some catch-up posts now, so be sure to check previous posts to make sure you're caught up.  Today, I decided to head up into the Chiricahua Mountains to a small BLM area about four miles south of the entrance to the Chiricahua National Monument.  Heard a lot about the drive to the top and now is the time.

On I-10 heading down into the valley towards Benson, Arizona.

Our first rest area stop was at the boulders in Texas Canyon.

Of course, Yuma finds a friend to play with right off.

I spied a little lizard among the boulders.

Not a long drive east today.  Before long we turned onto hwy 186.  Little did I know during the 40 miles south there are no towns except for Wilcox, Arizona at the exit AND no internet. 

Long desolate road.

36 miles south we turned to the east towards the mountains and the entrance to the monument.

Just before entering, we turned to the right on Pinery Canyon Road for about 4 miles until we got to the Coronado National Forest and BLM land.

Unfortunately, the road is gravel and I had to go very slow because it was wash boardy much of the way.  Reminded me a lot of Darby Well Road.

I turned into the first place I found that was large enough to handle the White Lion and it happened to be a large gravel wash.  Luckily, no rain is scheduled so I should be safe.

It was about 3:30 and we were done for the day.  Time to set-up the Dish for Gold Rush and then some dinner.  The weather is beautiful but still warm.

Thanks for stopping by.