29/11: Chiricahua National Monument
Category: General
Posted by: The Agnew Family
Luckily you don't need to be pronounce the name of the park to be able to visit it. In case you're interested it is pronounced cheer-i-cow-ah with a long e and short i vowel sounds. This park is also known as a "Wonderland of Rocks".
We drove 36 miles south east of Wilcox through some beautiful ranch land on the way to Chiricahua National Monument. Dogs are not allowed on the hiking trails, so we opted to bring the dogs and do the scenic drive and walk the dogs on the few trails around the parking areas.
When we stopped to look at the pipe organ formations, a couple of Mexican Jays came to visit. One of them sat on the edge of the open truck door and let Carol with Caity in tow come to within 3 feet.
Massai Point is highest point you can travel in a vehicle. The view was breathtaking.
Even Zaph was suitably impressed.
Looking the opposite direction gave you this beautiful view of Harris Mountain.
While we were on the scenic drive we saw four deer and this little fellow, a Coatimundi. The coatimundi is a member of the raccoon family. We caught a glimpse of him, then backed up the truck to find he was still there, slowly wandering away as we watched him.
This area was settled by Neil and Emma Erickson along with their children, Lillian, Ben and Hildegarde. Lillian and her husband Ed Riggs ran a cattle ranching operation as well as a guest ranching operation. Ed promoted the "Wonderland of Rocks" as a tourist operation and potential national monument. Chiricuhua National Monument was established in 1924. Lillian named the ranch "Faraway" as it was so far away from everything.
Not sure why the bathtub was on the lawn, but couldn't resist the photo op.
We drove 36 miles south east of Wilcox through some beautiful ranch land on the way to Chiricahua National Monument. Dogs are not allowed on the hiking trails, so we opted to bring the dogs and do the scenic drive and walk the dogs on the few trails around the parking areas.
When we stopped to look at the pipe organ formations, a couple of Mexican Jays came to visit. One of them sat on the edge of the open truck door and let Carol with Caity in tow come to within 3 feet.
Massai Point is highest point you can travel in a vehicle. The view was breathtaking.
Even Zaph was suitably impressed.
Looking the opposite direction gave you this beautiful view of Harris Mountain.
While we were on the scenic drive we saw four deer and this little fellow, a Coatimundi. The coatimundi is a member of the raccoon family. We caught a glimpse of him, then backed up the truck to find he was still there, slowly wandering away as we watched him.
This area was settled by Neil and Emma Erickson along with their children, Lillian, Ben and Hildegarde. Lillian and her husband Ed Riggs ran a cattle ranching operation as well as a guest ranching operation. Ed promoted the "Wonderland of Rocks" as a tourist operation and potential national monument. Chiricuhua National Monument was established in 1924. Lillian named the ranch "Faraway" as it was so far away from everything.
Not sure why the bathtub was on the lawn, but couldn't resist the photo op.