Road Trip to the Arizona Chiricahuas!
The Chiricahua National Monument is about 36 miles southeast of Willcoz, AZ. From Houghton Road in South Tucson, the trip took about 2 hours. It’s a scenic drive through Texas Canyon and northern parts of the Dragoons, as well as grasslands, wine-land, and rolling hills filled with cattle and horses.
In studying the area information, Geologists say there was a huge volcanic eruption 27 million years ago. White-hot ash spewed forth from the Turkey Creek Caldera, (at 1000 times the velocity Mt. St. Helens) eventually laying down almost two thousand feet of ash and pumice, which over time, eroded into amazing pinnacles and spires of rock that fill this 5 x 6 square mile park. You can drive along an 8 mile scenic drive to Massai Point (elevation 6,870 feet).
The highest point in the Chiricahua Mountains is above 9000 feet, but it is outside the actual monument. There are lots of observation points along the way. Many of the formations are not visible from the road but can be seen from a myriad of paths along the ravines.
Long ago, this area was known as Apache land! Notably famous, the Apache leaders Cochise and Geronimo were members of the Chiricahua Band. The monument territory was used as a safe haven by the Chiricahuans during hostile times.
In June 2011, the Horseshoe 2 Fire hit the area with devastating results. You will see much evidence of the forest fire as you drive the road to Massai Point.
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