2024 Memorial weekend in the Chiricahuas

[Stepmurr]

I camped from Wednesday night through Memorial Day morning in the Chiricahuas. The upper elevations were too windy & cold for comfort, so I drove back down to the ~6,000 foot level. The weather was perfect with cooling breezes, but a little too windy for campfires on most evenings.



Full moon outside of Willcox

Sunset on the plains

Driving up the mountain

Cute little critter - too bad it was so far down the hillside

Lotz of turkiez on the mountain

Only rabbit I saw the whole weekend

 

[Stepmurr]

Camped along FR709

Fire ring undisturbed with a piece of pecan I left there 8 years ago - must not be a popular spot

Too cute

Kewl rocks

Camped next to this creek along FR357 for most of the week

Orange bird

 

[Stepmurr]

Camp

Woody Woodpecker

Woody & Secret Squirrel

Woody #2

Woody #3 - all three of the woodpeckers were attacking the squirrel trying to drive him off their nut bank tree

 

[Stepmurr]

When animals attack . . .

Deerz on the edge of the Chiricahuas

Five nights camping - 400 miles. My LiFePO4 battery ran the Engel fridge and charged the laptop, tablet, & cell phone and was discharged down to 49% by the time I got home. I should never need to charge it while on a trip unless I go for 8 days or more as it goes down about 10% per day.

 

[OGBeno]

Awesome. The Chiricahuas are a magical place.

 

[Stepmurr]

Awesome. The Chiricahuas are a magical place.

Word

 

[Pitch]

Good stuff, Steve! I made my first trip down there last spring, and it was gorgeous. Can’t wait to return!

 

[ChrisInAZ]

Great photos! Thanks for sharing your trip. I hadn't heard of The Chiricahuas before your post.

 

[Stepmurr]

Not many places in southern Arizona where it’s too cold for camping in late May!

The Arizona Sky Islands are a wonder.

 

[oldmxdog61u]

Maybe a group run in fall? Great pictures.

 

[Stepmurr]

Maybe a group run in fall? Great pictures.

Thats the attraction of Arizona's Sky Islands - you can drive to cool altitudes even in the middle of the summer. Don't wait for fall - take a drive down there next weekend!

Rustler Park is good if you want an established campground - fee required. Barfoot Peak is just around the corner and has free dispersed sites - but no amenities. Both are over 8,000 foot elevation and are cool all summer long. There are also plenty of dispersed campsites around the area.

Check the Coronado Forest website & download the Douglas Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). It will show the open roads and dispersed camping areas.

 

[ChrisInAZ]

Thats the attraction of Arizona's Sky Islands - you can drive to cool altitudes even in the middle of the summer. Don't wait for fall - take a drive down there next weekend!

Rustler Park is good if you want an established campground - fee required. Barfoot Peak is just around the corner and has free dispersed sites - but no amenities. Both are over 8,000 foot elevation and are cool all summer long. There are also plenty of dispersed campsites around the area.

Check the Coronado Forest website & download the Douglas Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). It will show the open roads and dispersed camping areas.

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Again, thanks so much for this info. I didn't know anything about the Sky Islands before your post. They are DEFINITELY on my list now.

 

[Jim S.]

Barfoot Park is a favorite spot of ours. Great pics Steve!

 

[Garrissey]

I went up there memorial day weekend, It was pretty dope, but I haven't gotten my film developed yet. Say, Steve, what camera do you use?

 

[Stepmurr]

I went up there memorial day weekend, It was pretty dope, but I haven't gotten my film developed yet. Say, Steve, what camera do you use?

I have a Canon dslr.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Lots of off roading in the park but the main road to the top is worth the drive itself. Super scenic drive with some beautiful hiking along the way. Echo Canyon loop at the top is around 7000'.
Saturday night I had dinner at Portal and camped on Turkey Creek in the Chiricahua. Its now my backyard.

 

[GBinAZ]

Lots of off roading in the park but the main road to the top is worth the drive itself. Super scenic drive with some beautiful hiking along the way. Echo Canyon loop at the top is around 7000'.
Saturday night I had dinner at Portal and camped on Turkey Creek in the Chiricahua. Its now my backyard.

Your LS is beautiful. I've been thinking of getting one in the fall. Other than pain of replacing the stater, any other issues with it?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Your LS is beautiful. I've been thinking of getting one in the fall. Other than pain of replacing the stater, any other issues with it?

front control arm $$$$

 

[Stepmurr]

Arizona's 'Wonderland of Rocks': Chiricahua National Monument celebrates 100 years

Chiricahua National Monument is celebrating its centennial amid Arizona's sky islands. Here's how to hike the Heart of Rocks and see Faraway Ranch.

www.azcentral.com