Portal, AZ

January 25th, 2016

Patti was feeling sorta ‘shut-in’ and wanted to go for a 4-5 hour drive.  We looked at the map and everything close by, we had already been to, so we closed our eyes and pointed at the map (pin-the-tail-on-the-Javelina style)… Portal it is!

Portal is about 2 hours from Safford, going in we knew it would be more than a 5 hour drive, but Patti was game – she would stay in the car and recuperate and rest; while I tramped around looking for Kodak moments.

Our day began with warm weather, no breeze and sun mixed with a few clouds.  We took US 70 east to Lordsburg then I-10 west to US 80, then south, close to the Mexican border.  The terrain was pretty much the same as around Safford, dry desert, zeriscape shrubs and cactus.  When we were about 20 miles into southern, southern AZ – the mountains of the Coronado Forest rose up west of us.  The mountains are rugged, rocky and snow capped, surprise…  The mountain range divides Portal, AZ from Chiricahua National Monument.  Chiricahua Peak is 9759′, probably the peak with the most snow…

Proceeding on Portal road, which had been recently repaved, we came across the Portal Store and Cafe.  Sadly, the Cafe closed at 2pm (so Patti had to settle for bean dip – soft food), we missed out by arriving at 2:30pm.  The car was a nice touch.

Portal lies in Cochise County and is 25 miles south-southeast of San Simon and at the mouth of Cave Creek Canyon on the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains.  Often called the Yosemite of AZ, the rock walled canyon is composed of fused volcanic tuff. The town and State Park are a popular location for birding (hummingbirds come up from Mexico in April when the weather South of the Border turns muy caliente).

I had been to Portal a number of years ago, back in the days of the AZ drought; this was Patti’s first trip though.  I was here in mid-April when I needed some alone time and camped out of the back of my white Tundra.  I enjoyed watching the birds and the birders!  I didn’t really know what to expect this trip because I had heard the area had flooded a while back.  To our surprise there was a creek flowing right along side the road, where I flushed out some deer taking a rest in the shadows.

Continuing on up the road we stopped several times so I could jump out and take pictures of … rocks.

If you look closely you will see a forest growing in the rock formation near the top of the rock (in the magnificent structure pic).  This kind of amazing animation of Nature always takes me by surprise.

This area has quite a few Sycamore trees and this one seemed like a giant imposing structure with the darkening sky as a backdrop.

I found in this canyon, that it was often hard to get a clear view of the mountains, the high forests and the caves because there were sooooo many trees all around.

After driving a few more miles I decided to take a short walk (200 yards) to Vista Point.  With camera in hand I came to a clearing, and I assume this is Vista Point…

While on my journey to Vista Point, I encountered this Yucca, which was beautiful, so fresh and vivid.

When I looked closer, I saw the center held captive all the tops of the acorns that had fallen or been dropped by swinging squirrels.

Patti and I had also wanted to check out the campgrounds for possibilities after Safford. The campgrounds were well maintained, and most were paved.  If your rig is over 41′ long, it is prohibited, so that leaves out the huge rigs with generators. Most of the sites were nestled in the trees and those that had more sun, had built-in shade coverings over the picnic tables.  There are no electrical sites, so it would be boondoggling it.  One camper had a portable solar panel that folded up and connected to their batteries.   Good idea, we are thinking of that also.  A solar panel gives us more options for gypsying.  

Portal is also home to the American Museum of Natural History and the Southwest Research Station.  Although both were closed for the season, I had been there before on my previous trip and they are wonderful.  You can buy hats, shirts, rocks and books there, and even book birding tours; as well as get all kinds of information, probably more than you bargained for.  You can also buy lunch and sit outside and watch the birds and birders, for they have a plethora of bird feeders – especially in April when the hummingbirds are very plentiful.

On our way out, we saw an outhouse with a TV antenna attached to it, guess someone spent a lot of time in there…  The property was for sale.

Near the entrance, on our way out we saw some Javelinas munching on grass at a rocky Bunkhouse that can be rented from the Forest Service.

Across the road is a rock ‘tiny’ house built just like the Bunkhouse

Patti and I are coming down to Portal in April after we leave Safford, so if you have wheels (or want to rent the Bunkhouse) come join us.  Wheels up in April, see you then…