Sky Island Adventures in the Chiricahua Mountains

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Awesome ! Great pics as usual

:clap:
 
LandCruiserPhil said:
Great trip report, looks like a lot of fun, and cool sites
Thanks for sharring
Did you see anyone out on the trails?
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I did not see anyone on any of the side trails, and judging by the overgrowth on some of them and the conditions of the washouts I'd say nobody has been on some of these roads in years.

I did see fresh tire tracks on FR 709.

Also saw ~30 border patrol trucks in the four days I was in the area and one tiny checkpoint where the agent got up off his folding chair, saw my truck and sat back down and just waved me through - apparently I don't fit their "profile".
 
Profile? :hmm:
...something like an 1983 Cheby Suburban with limo tint? :idea:
 
OffGridOverland said:
I once was asked if I was a legal citizen. I had a nice Irish suntan going.
I looked up at him. And asked do I get a free trip back to Ireland?

He wasn't amused.
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Ha - nice.

Great trip report, thanks for sharing. Seldom visited part of the state and many nice backroads to explore all over that mountain range. Looks like you covered quite a few of them.
 
When were you there OP? I work at Chiricahua Nat Mon as a Maintenance Ranger for NPS. I have gone done Pinery Canyon to go plink and offroad a bit. Where did you obtain your maps?

Awesome pics/report BTW
 
YotaLvr said:
When were you there OP? I work at Chiricahua Nat Mon as a Maintenance Ranger for NPS. I have gone done Pinery Canyon to go plink and offroad a bit. Where did you obtain your maps?

Awesome pics/report BTW
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I was at the monument on Monday morning the 17th.

Forest Service motor vehicle use maps are free and downloadable or available on paper from the ranger stations.

I use an android program called "pdf maps" by Avenza to download free MVUMs. This allows the tablet or cell phone's gps to show you exactly where you are on the map so you don't risk driving on closed roads.

The Massey & Wilson book is called Backcountry Adventures.

You get to work at a great place!
 
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Great trail(s) report! I've been to Chiricahua a couple of times but always had tarmac under all-seasons. This makes me want to take the Cruiser down there!
 
Man what a great write up and that area brings back sooooo many memories. I used to camp and fish at Rucker lake growing up, in the early 80's we were stuck in a flash flood at the lake that washed it out to where it never recovered. I took some friends back last year and was shocked, the lake was a dry riparian area with a ton of bear scat. Very dry and no water, back in the day the lake was gorgeous, tons of trout in the lake and streams, bears daily coming into camp. Thanks for sharing that, I will get out and explore this area again.
 
Thanks for the report - I'm thinking about taking the two wheeler ( KLR 650) down there this weekend. I have sadly neglected that part of the state and this should be a great time of year to see it.

I was thinking about some camping, but after seeing the smuggler sign, I am having second thoughts. I have not turned into a complete wimp in my old age, but have heard some horror stories.

Do you guys know a decent route from PHX / Casa grande area to the Chiricahuas beside I10 to Willcox? I might make the Globe - Safford loop out there.
 
There is a campground at the top of the mountain (8,000 elevation) which is a hidden gem. Easy to get to on a maintained dirt road with views of Mexico and New Mexico after a short hike.
 
centralworks said:
There is a campground at the top of the mountain (8,000 elevation) which is a hidden gem. Easy to get to on a maintained dirt road with views of Mexico and New Mexico after a short hike.
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There are a few developed campgrounds and lots of dispersed camping opportunities.

Both Rustler & Barfoot were almost empty over the 4th of July 2016 holiday - probably due to the burned up countryside.
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What's left of Buena Vista Peak (8753 Feet)
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This used to be pretty nice before the fire
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Not done with a trailer but the road goes up above the burn another mile and is a great spot to tent camp above Rustler Park.
 
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