Cochise Stronghold, Dragoon Mountains, AZ

We met up with our friends Dave and Kathy in the Dragoon Mountains, just one mountain range to the west of Chiricahua National Monument.  Just like everything else we have seen on this trip, these mountains have a lot of history of their own.

Beginning in the early 1400’s the Chiricahua Apache people called this entire area home.  They were traditionally hunters and gathers with a nomadic lifestyle.  They were also superb warriors, feared and respected by neighboring tribes. As the Spanish moved into the area in the early 1500’s, the Apaches fiercely resisted colonization, and it wasn’t until 1886 that the Chiricahua Apaches surrendered and the government relocated them to reservations in Oklahoma and New Mexico.

The Cochise Stronghold was the winter home of the Chiricahua Apache Chief, Cochise and his many followers.  It is called the “stronghold” because this beautiful mountain range is where Cochise led his people to safety during the final defense of their homeland from 1852 - 1872.  Cochise was secretly buried in this area, although no one knows exactly where.

Evidence still remains of the time that the Apaches spent here.  Grinding holes in the rocks are easily visible just by looking around.

We also found a few other cool things as we explored the area.  A wonderful rock chair.

Lots of beautiful Mexican Jays.

I just kept looking for petroglyphs, thinking that there had to be some here, but all I found were pretty rocks.

It was a beautiful place to camp, and we really enjoyed our time and a few shared meals with Dave and Kathy.  After such a fun trip we are very excited for our next adventure!  Stay tuned....more to come!