Chiricahua National Monument

Southeast Arizona

Bisbee
Sunday we headed down to Bisbee, about 50 miles southeast of Ft. Huachuca. Bisbee was an old mining town, actually probably an oasis in its time tucked away in the mountains of southern Arizona. One drives over Mule Pass and then descends down into the town. Below left you see the downtown area viewed from the vista above. On the right is a view looking down the main street. Amazingly, while the mine was in operation, it produced 7.7 billion pounds of copper plus a considerable amount of gold and silver!

Bisbee has quite a history, much of which is expertly portrayed in an excellent museum located in the center of town. They have a superb research room in the library available to those interested in serious research. It is staffed by very knowledgeable docents. The town is becoming an arts center with several shops specializing in copper creations that reflect the town's heritage. Unfortunately, there is also a considerable hippie element, folks hanging about seemingly doing little or nothing.

We spent all morning and much of the early afternoon exploring. There is a lot to do and see - well worth the trip. We had lunch in a new cafe and then headed north to Chiricahua National Monument.

Chiricahua National Monument
Chiricahua National Monument wasn't really on our list of things to see and do. We went north to take scenic highway 186 that leads into Willcox from the southeast. We noted that we were close to the monument, and still having some daylight left, decided to make an excursion to visit it. And such an excellent excursion it was. The monument exemplifies the topography of Arizona and southern Utah. One drives across seemingly barren desert for miles and miles and then all of a sudden you are presented with a radical change. Perhaps magnificent canyons or astonishing rock formations. One experiences the latter at Chiricahua National Monument.

Below left are two scenes one sees upon entering the monument. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, it was late afternoon and the sun angle was quite bad for taking pictures. So, we just have to go with what we got.

Below left is a stunning view of the pinnacles, towering rock formations worn away thousands of years ago, remnants still standing, inviting you to walk among them and explore their majesty. On this trip we could only gaze from afar. We would like to come back and walk the trails some day. Another example of what one finds in this place is seen at lower right: a startling rock formation towering high above the nearly insignificant human figure.


After exploring all of the roads in the monument we left and headed up the scenic highway to Willcox. It's not clear why AAA designates this as a scenic highway, although it was a pleasant enough drive. After a Mexican dinner at a restaurant in Willcox (not the best we've had), we headed back to Ft. Huachuca.

Well, that's our Southeastern Arizona trip, an all too brief weekend getaway. It was a good time, exploring new territory with long-time friends.

Go back to Page One to see our earlier adventures at Ft. Huachuca and in Tombstone.

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