Chiricahua National Monument Highpoint Trip Report
Date: March 25, 2003
Author: Roy Schweiker
Park at pulloff beyond gated road to King of Lead Mine. Beginning of road
is paved. Pass area of gravel storage and go up narrow eroded mine road.
See tiny patches of snow in woods. Have lunch at 4-wire fence across road,
sign says to close gate but it's wired shut. Mine is only a little
farther and not much to see. I continue on switchback right to ridge,
then bushwhack up ridge where road drops off. Ridge is hotter and drier than
road up and has yucca, cholla, and prickly pear which are sometimes hard
to find a route between. Pass over bump with mine pit on top, climb to
main ridge and cross fence which is Monument boundary.
Sometimes easy going in trees on ridge, sometimes cleared area along
fence which vanishes at some point leaving only occasional signs on trees.
Some cow manure from grazing from Forest. But some of the trees
have prickers and although I seem to avoid the cactus I'm not careful
enough with the yucca and get several pricks. Views of bare Cochise Head
to N which looks like better peak, also snow covered peaks to the S.
Finally reach HP at dead tree with signs on two sides, descend beyond and
along signs to be sure. On return, make sure to hit ledge outcrops a
short ways back. Stop for snack at first bump back, then discover I'm
dropping off wrong ridge but going looks better so I decide to try it.
Easy woods down to dry stream bed, the stream itself had some dropoffs
but was generally OK. Cross the wire fence twice. Unfortunately had to
circle L to get back to mine road and that was more of the bad stuff with
pricklers. Cross two more dry brooks and make short ascent to mine road,
then have to cross fence on road. Quick walk down to car.
Statistics: 4.6 miles, 1,800 feet of gain, 5.5 hours.