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General Description:
This short trip in the rugged, beautiful and historic Cochise Stronghold area of the Dragoon Mountains appears to be unprecedented for the Trailblazers.
The Dragoons form a protective rampart of granite spires, sheer cliffs, and balanced rocks and boulders that were once the refuge of the Apache Chief,
Cochise. With striking formations, wooded slopes, seasonal streams, and an amazing variety of wildlife, it is a great place to explore and hike.
The following three hikes will be offered:
Thursday, December 5. Texas Canyon South Loop Trail. We will leave Phoenix at 9 AM for the 3 hour drive to southeastern Arizona.
Before arriving at our sky island ranch house, we will stop to stretch our legs on a mostly flat (238 ft gain) 3.2 mile hike in Texas Canyon Nature Preserve.
Afterwards, we continue to the ranch to settle in until checkout by 11:00 AM on Sunday.
Friday, December 6. Cochise Trail #279. (Co-led by Deirdre and Bud). We will get a not-too-early start on this spectacular trail that is
just a 9 minute drive from the ranch house. The intended hiking distance is 9 miles RT with 1,883 feet of gain. However, because the hike
is out and back, there’s an option for turning back at any point.
The top of the canyon at 3.7 miles is a popular turnaround place, making the hike 7.4 miles RT with 1,054 of gain.
Saturday, December 7. Slavin Gulch Trail. (Co-led by Bud and Deirdre). After about an hour drive to the trailhead, this hike ascends
825 feet in 3.5 miles for a total round trip mileage of 7 miles and 1,650 gain. Expect beautiful views, creek crossings and an abandoned mine.
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Accommodation::
I’ve reserved an historic seven room ranch house nestled in the mountains at 5,000 feet elevation. The house has electricity and running water,
a partially furnished living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms (both bathrooms have a shower, toilet and sink), a queen bed, a full bed,
two twin beds, and two double futons. (No review reports mice activity.) There is a barn and a horse corral on the property.
The dining room has a table and chairs that seat six. A small dinette in the kitchen seats four. (We can play board and card games in the evenings.)
The kitchen is equipped with a stove, oven, microwave and refrigerator, pots, pans, utensils, dishes, & coffee machine.
There is a picnic table outside and there are places to hang a hammock, if you have one.
You will need to provide your own sleeping bags or linens, pillows, towels and personal toiletries.
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Camping: :
Limited tent camping on the property or in the nearby FF Cochise Stronghold campground is an option.
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Participants: :
The number of participants will be limited by the number of sleeping and parking spaces.
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Costs: :
The cost will cover three nights in a bed or futon, group necessities for the house and groceries for three dinners. The total should be around
$35 per person per night but
could be a little more or less depending on the numbers.
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Parking:: There is space for four vehicles to park on the property— two on concrete and two on gravel.
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Joining this trip: : If you are interested in joining this trip, please email Deirdre at dspard@icloud.com indicating what
sleeping situations are and are not acceptable to you and whether you have any dietary restrictions or preferences.
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Weather conditions:
Bisbee
Temperatures average about 10-15° cooler than in Phoenix.
Trip Leader:
Must email the leader to confirm.
Accommodations in the Willcox area:
| 520-384-3556 |
Best Western Plaza Inn |
| 520-384-4655 |
Budget Riteway Motel |
| 520-384-3156 |
Chochise Hotel & Gift Shop |
| 520-384-4222 |
Days Inn |
| 520-384-4636 |
Desert Breeze Motel |
| 520-384-3577 |
Desert Inn of Willcox |
| 520-586-8800 |
Holiday Inn Express (Benson) |
| 520-384-3270 |
Motel 8 |
| 520-586-7533 |
Triangle T Guest Ranch |
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| updated September 30, 2024
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