Chiricahua Nat Monument

[grizz1]

The Chiricahua Nat Monument is located in the Chiricahua Mtns 32 miles South East of Willcox Arizona. It's called a wonderland of rocks, a forest of rock spires that eroded from layers of ash deposited by the Turkey Creek Volcano eruption 27 million years ago. There are 8 miles of paved road for a scenic drive, 17 miles of hiking trails on 11,985 acres. We walked 3.4 miles so never covered many of the places hidden away from view of the road.
This whole area burned off last June as did over 200,000 more acres in the area. It was part of the Horseshoe Two fire that started last May 8. There was quite a bit of life there and wildlife in the valley. Never could get a shot of any pigs or deer but they were there.

[JerseyHunter]

Wow grizz these are some breath taking pics .So beautiful country
You did a great job taking them.Keep them coming.

[grizz1]

Thanks JerseyHunter, this was a very difficult place to shoot, lot of shadows, harsh light but that is actually what it looked like. There were hundreds of these balanced rocks, weighing tons that looked as if they could fall if someone just sneezed, kind of spooky walking among them. We saw some that were lying on the trail that had fell but we don't know if it was a hundred years ago or the day before,

[Kt29]

Looks like some pretty unforgiving country. One had to be pretty tough to live in this area. Thanks for the history lesson to go with your nice pics Grizz.