Category: Adventure Travel

Cochise Stronghold Trail

A remote but wonderful hike through unique rock formations in the Dragoon Mountains.

I’ve always wanted to hike this and finally had the opportunity. Cochise Stronghold is about 1 hour from Tucson and well worth the drive. This is an out and back hike which makes for a long day hike. Guide books have it at 4.5 miles one way but it is longer. From where I parked my car, my GPS put the round trip at 12 miles. The entire hike I didn’t see one person. Great for some solitude, not so great if you have an accident and need help.

Be prepared with plenty of water. The hike is relatively easy except for the length and heat of day. Trail conditions are great and route finding easy. The trail is flanked by unique rock formations. The entire way all I can think of was Cochise and the Apache Indians using this area as a hide out.

About half way you top out at Stronghold Divide. The trail continues on down hill to East Stronghold Canyon Road. I continued down for a long out and back. You can easily turn back at the Pass for a shorter trip.

Directions: Take rt 10 east toward Benson and onto Cochise. Follow sign to Pearce then to Sunsite. Take Ironwood rd, forest rd 84 for about 12 miles to the Stronghold campground.

Category: Adventure Travel

Puebla La Plata Ruins

Pueblo La Plata is the largest ancient Indian ruin in Agua Fria that dates back to before 1200 A.D. The ruin at one time had 80 to 90 rooms for living quarters of the people. Now the sight seems like just a pile of rubble. However there is significant research continuing on the mesa of Agua Fria which has about 400 sites. The community was quite large.

Today, few people visit the site because of the difficulty to get here. A high clearance 4×4 is required to get to the trailhead or you can walk the 2 mile road from Bloody Basin Road. There are many artifacts remaining in the area. Please practice “Leave No Trace” principles and do not take anything from the site. By the way, it is illegal to remove artifacts from an archeological site on federal land.

Directions: Exit 259 off Route 17 from Phoenix. Turn right on Bloody Basin road and follow for 8.5 miles. Pueblo La Plata is on the left and a sign marks the way.

Category: Adventure Travel

Badger Spring Trail

Badger Spring Wash is a dry stream bed most of the year. This trail starts from the Badger Spring Trailhead just off Route 17 north of Phoenix. The trail follows the stream bed, sometimes in or along side for 1.5 miles. At about one mile, you reach the spring and a good amount of water which is surprising to find in the desert. The main trail is to the left along a rock outcropping.

Continue along the trail on the left and avoid the open boulder field. Many people miss the trail on the left. Watch for small cairns showing the way. Return the way you came. Be sure to explore the right side of the trail split. There is more water on that side and several places to camp.

After about hiking for 1 mile on the Badger Spring Trail you arrive at a confluence. Water on the right and a wash to the left. On the left side of the trail is a large rock outcropping. At the middle and near the top is very good examples of early American Indian petroglyphs. I think the ones near the top are best. You can easily walk right by them but just watch for that rock cliff right on the left side of the trail. The rock art may have been done by early Yavapai or the Perry Mesa Tradition Indian who settle the area in 1250 A.D.

The fork on the left is the main trail up the canyon. To the right is a lower wash that had a good amount of water, even in late May. To explore the lower wash, cross over the wash and hike along the bank of the water. The wash turns a corner and opens to a lush plant area. It is a beautiful relaxing spot that offers some shade. There are a few dispersed camping spots. A nice side trip to explore.

One of the best times to hike the Badger Spring Trail in late May or early June. During this time, desert flowers are in bloom, especially the Prickly Pear Cactus. The Prickly Pear can bloom in either yellow, red or purple flower. All the Prickly Pear in Badger Spring seem to bloom in yellow. Another flower in abundance along Badger Spring is the Smooth Threadleaf Ragwort.

Category: Adventure Travel

Arizona Trail – Stateline Trailhead

Hike the start (or end) of the Arizona National Scenic Trail from the Utah border. Enjoy beautiful wildflowers in late spring and summer.

Depending how you approach this 800 mile trail, I did the first 4 miles or last 4 miles as an out and back from Stateline Campground on the Utah/Arizona state line and the border of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. This section of the trail does not pass through Vermilion Cliffs N.M. but offers amazing views of the mountains in the park. The trail is difficult and seldom hiked. It is a steady climb to the top of a mountain. Late May and early June are a perfect time to hike this trail because of all the wildflowers that are blooming. I hiked until the first back country dirt road that intersects the trail. It is easy to find your way along the trail and there are plenty of switchbacks along the way to make the climb easier.

In total this was a little more than 8 miles round trip. A trail I would definitely hike again, especially to see the wildflowers with the Vermilion Cliffs in the background.

To get to the trail head, take House Rock Rd from Route 89. Pass the Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass Trailheads. Continue until you reach the Stateline Campground on the right and park there. The trail ascends steadily for the entire 4 miles out. Be prepared and watch for changing weather conditions.

Category: Adventure Travel

Toadstool Trail

This hike follows a dry wash up a canyon to some unique rock formations called toadstools but they are very similar to what you can find in Goblin State Park.

The difference here is at the end of the Toadstool Trail, the rock color has a dramatic layer change with a Entrada Sandstone base(white in color) and a Dakota Sandstone (red in color) on top. It makes for some beautiful scenery. I hiked this trail, which is a little less than 3 miles round trip (including some exploration), in the early morning. This is a preferable time because no one else on the trail.

At the official end of the trail you reach the largest and most notable Toadstool which rises above the others. It is very distinct and you can’t miss it. You can explore the wash a short distance until you arrive at a 5 foot poor off. Turn back and up to the large toadstool and explore the social trails to the left. You can explore this area until you reach a beautiful open canyon and views of the Vermilion cliffs.

This is a great hike for photography as the path is lined with desert flowers. The best times are at sunrise ans sunset. An excellent hike!