Chiricahua National Monument

As we continue to day-trip, we have discovered many new areas in this part of deep south Arizona.  On this day we traveled 2 hours south and a bit east to Chiricahua (“standing up rocks”) National Monument.  I had been to this National Monument about 10 years ago, but Patti had never been to see this beautiful Apache land.  As we draw closer to the National Monument, I excitedly say to Patti, “Here comes the rocks!”  As all of you know, I am a lover of rocks…

27 million years ago the Turkey Creek Volcano erupted and spewed ash over 1,200 square miles.  These super-heated ash particles melted together, forming layers of gray rock called rhyolite  Cooling and subsequent uplifting created joints and cracks in the rhyolite.  Eons of weathering by ice wedging and erosion by water enlarged the cracks.  Weaker material was washed away leaving behind an endless variety of spires.  As we enter the canyon we start to see formations that look like ‘organ pipes’ standing tall as skyscraper pillars reaching heavenward.  The road is narrow and curvy, so I had to park then run back on foot to get the pictures.  Well, that’s what it’s all about: the physical activity required to get the perfect picture.

REMEMBER TO CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT!

The area is very dry with no visible signs of water at this time of year.  When I was here before the streams had water flowing, but now the cottonwood and aspen have to reach deep into the sand for a drink.

Further into the canyon we started our ascent to Massai Point 6870′ in elevation.  We finally found a spot to pull over to ‘snap’ a picture of the valley below.

We were so awed at the vastness of the vistas. Only Chiricahua National Monument holds these spectacular towering rock formations.  It was hard, very hard, to look, drive and stay on the road!!!  Always safety first, that’s Patti’s ‘shotgun’ job.

At Massai Point, there is a rock hut (that has a 360 degree view) with displays providing information on how the rocks were formed, the surrounding animals/vegetation habitat , and about the fire in 1994 that swept through, cleansing the area. There is also a lookout with a telescope to view the distant landscape.  The formations in the background look like marching armies of stone soldiers.

Massai is named for one of the last Chiricahua Apache warriors – ‘Big Foot Massai’. Massai stole a horse from the Stafford homestead, near the present visitor center (not to be confused with Safford, where we are now staying).  Massai was pursued to the ‘standing rocks’, where he escaped and was never seen or heard from again.  Some say the spirit of this Chiricahua Apache still lives in these mountains among the silent standing rocks.  Maybe today Massai will walk with me through the pinnacles?!

Before I started walking down into the rocks, we had a picnic at Massai Point, fuel for the journey.  It was a wonderful day; 72 degrees, a slight breeze and a cloudless sky.  Saying goodbye to Patti, I started off with my camera slung over my shoulder, water in my pack and a hat to shade my head.

First stop was Balance Rock…  How this rock still remains upright is a testament to Nature!  Although in time it will topple over as the wind and rain erode the small base into sand.  Was Balance Rock one large pillar that time carved into two or did the top settle onto the base?  Only Nature and the Chiricahua know this secret!

Proceeding on down the trail into the canyon, I am looking for the path I was on 10 years ago, and this is not it.  I keep wandering around searching, searching.  The spires are magnificent and I enjoy the view and the rocks, since I am here…  The bright green on the rocks is lichen, helping the wind and the rain breakdown the rocks into soil, eventually.

Returning to Patti and Gypsy, we drive to Echo Canyon to see if this is the path and the rocks I remember from 10 years ago.  In the recesses of my mind I walked among the rocks, almost like a tunnel…  Or is my memory just dusty?  As I head off down the trail to the Echo Canyon Grotto, I feel this is the path.  It’s like being in a new place yet having it be familiar to you, past lives???  I pick up my pace knowing I have found the energy (and the path) I am looking for, Eureka!

These are just a few of the photos I took this day!  It was so hard to pare down and decide which pictures get to be representative of the Chiricahua National Monument.  Even though I was tired from trekking among the ‘standing stones’, I was happy to have walked with Massai through this journey back in time.  Patti and I gave thanks to the Apache Nation for the beauty we beheld this day, and turned Gypsy back north to Safford.