A few years ago we started scheduling short getaways over New Years. The end of 2019 we headed to Southern Arizona in the hope of some blue skies and warm weather. One out of 2 isn’t bad.
Our first stop was Cochise Stronghold in Coronado National Forest
We did the Cochise Indian trail that leaves from the campground.Alligator Junipertypical rock formations, the land is very ruggedNext stop was another National Monument. No, we do not plan on seeing them all.We started at the visitor center hiked up Rhyolite Canyon to Heart of Rocks, then Big Balanced Rock Trail and back on the Upper Rhyolite Trail. Fresh snow and blue sky made for a spectacular day of hikingWe didn’t escape the snow but at least the sky is blueThis is at the top before heading back on the Upper Rhyolite TrailBack in the car and we decided to head to Massai Point and do a short hike. I saw this guys butt as he was headed into the woods. We pulled over and he/she was just sitting there waiting for us to take a picture.This National Park Service site commemorates the Coronado Expedition that passed through the region in 1540-1542.We started at the visitor center and hiked Joe’s Canyon Trail to Montezuma Pass Overlook, then headed back to Yaqui Ridge and followed that trail to Mexico. After a quick stop in Mexico, we headed back to the visitor centerJoe’s Canyon Trail Montezuma Pass Overlook in the backgroundView from the overlookYaqui Ridge: 1 mile to MexicoCholla in bloomAt the border, actually over the border but the only thing there: 2 cows. Last stop of the trip was to Madera Canyon just outside of Tucson. We hiked the Super Trail to Josephine Saddle over to Baldy Saddle and back on the Old Baldy TrailLooking down Madera CanyonBack to the blue shirt, this thing has been on a lot of trailsBaldy Saddle, snow was getting deeper so we decided this was a good place to turn aorundOut of the snow and almost back to the car.
While researching Madera Canyon we read about a tragedy involving the local Boy Scout Troop. Here is a good story on what happened and secrets revealed 50 years later.
