TUCSON & SOUTHERN ARIZONA Sky Islands Adventures Driving east across Arizona, the long, straight stretch of I-10 through the Sonoran Desert seems endless. Then, sprouting from the valley floor are the Sky Islands mountain ranges, ecologically isolated peaks nearing 10,000 feet, making a U-bend around southeastern Arizona to frame Cochise County. The southeastern Arizona Sky Islands, partly made up of the Mule, Chiricahua and Huachuca mountains, beckon to outdoor adventurers. Start at Cochise Stronghold near Dragoon. The Stronghold is strewn with massive boulders amid a maze-like terrain. Mountain bikers, hikers and rock climbers head to these rugged canyons and craggy hoodoos for classic climbs and outstanding trails. Go a little farther east to Chiricahua National Monument where towering rhyolite pinnacles and balancing spires stand alongside the 17 miles of trails. Nearby, follow Arizona State Route 181 to Turkey Creek Trail , where you’ll find Johnny Ringo’s grave. Continue on to Sycamore Campground , shaded Chiricahua National Monument Cochise Stronghold by a canopy of sycamore and oak trees, making a perfect base camp for a number of trails leading into the Chiricahua Wilderness. Farther west is Fort Huachuca Museum in Sierra Vista, where in 1877, the 6th Cavalry established an outpost to secure the San Pedro and Santa Cruz valleys. Peruse the exhibits and artifacts, and marvel at the adobe buildings of the Old Post. Find more history in Douglas, a former copper-mining town on the Arizona–Mexico border. This community is anchored by the stately Gadsden Hotel , built in 1907 for visiting mining company executives, and fronted with a massive stained-glass window—a breathtaking Southwestern scene by Louis Comfort Tiffany. You’ll also see Cave Creek Canyon , an original mural painted by artist Audley Dean Nicols. For everything from outdoor excitement and historic finds, it’s easy to see how Arizona’s Sky Islands provide endless discoveries. 52 VISITARIZONA.COM TOP TO BOTTOM: @ONTHEROADAPRIL; CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENT
Arizona Official State Travel Guide Arizona 2022-23: Page 52
