The San Pedro River The San Pedro River is a northward flowing stream that has its origins in Mexico, not too far south of where we rode the river trail. Alan and I only live in Arizona in the winter, not during the summer monsoons. Therefore, our perspective is that it is merely a dusty, …
Horseback riders and hikers can access the Middlemarch Canyon Trail #277 from the Cochise Stronghold Campground. I wrote about the Cochise Stronghold Trail in February of this year. A little less than a mile in (for hikers) or a couple of miles in (for riders) on the Cochise Stronghold trail, a well-marked sign directs you …
The Middlemarch Trail at Cochise Stronghold (& Other Trails) Read More »
One word describes our ride in the Chiricahua Mountains… ROCKS. There are rocks, rocks, and more rocks! You will ride ON rocks, THROUGH rocks, AROUND rocks… You will clamor over them and hope your shod horse gets a good perch… There are narrow sections with loose rocks, so you hope your horse is relaxed but …
The Chiracahua Mountains: Rocks, Rocks, & MORE Rocks! Read More »
It is a walk back in time to visit the ruins of Fort Bowie. History is best learned in the moment. It is so much easier to imagine what life was like when you are physically standing in front of the ruins from over a hundred years ago. But as amazing as the ruins themselves …
In three previous posts about Fort Bowie, I have described an incident involving the Indian chief Cochise, the fort cemetery, and some of the fort buildings. In this post, I will tell you a little more about life in the fort. Next week, don’t miss my description of the beautiful ride back to your starting …
The best description I could possibly provide as an introduction to the actual ruins of Fort Bowie comes from a National Park Service information brochure. Fort Bowie is the story of Tom Jeffords and one-armed Gen. O. O. Howard riding into Cochise’s stronghold to negotiate a lasting peace. It is the story of Lt. John …
The US Army established Fort Bowie in 1862. In 1870, census data recorded it as “Apache Pass” with 400 white residents. At that time, it was located in Pima County. In 1880, census data shows it as “Camp Bowie”. The army declared 184 residents. However, no demographic information was provided. A year later, Camp Bowie …
Our last ride of 2020 was to the incredible ruins of Fort Bowie, located in Southeastern Arizona. There is so much history here, even if you are not a history buff! It is nearly impossible not to get caught up in the excitement of exploring an area that Apaches, soldiers, and settlers once roamed. Additionally, …
Imagine having the opportunity to ride right past the grave of the famous Apache, Cochise? No one actually knows where his grave is, but somewhere in the Dragoon Mountains, his bones rest in secrecy. During his 12 years of frustrating the Army’s attempt to rein him in, he and a small band of Apaches hid …
It topped out at 57 degrees but felt much warmer on a mid-December day when we rode to Council Rocks. It took us a little over an hour to get to the trailhead from our location in Pearce, Arizona. Council Rocks is located on the western end of the Dragoon Mountains. (Complete directions can be …
