HIKING COCHISE COUNTY
There are many hikes in Cochise County but the following two are my favorite
cOCHISE stronghold TRAIL, DRAGOON MOUNTAINS
Surrounded by granite rock formations jutting above forest and scrub land, it's easy to see why Chiricahua Apache Chief Cochise chose this as his hideout. This was a special place for Cochise and it is believed that he is buried somewhere in the Dragoon Mountains.
This beautiful hike takes you where boulders tower over Arizona oaks, pinyon pine trees, desert yuccas, and tall grass. The trail winds past ravines, across mountain springs, and along shaded gullies.
The trail is 10 miles round trip but you can turn around at any point. It's rated as a moderate hike with an elevation change: starting at 5,000 and going up to 6,000 ft.
ECHO CANYON LOOP, CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
This trail usually takes about two hours, but be sure to plan more time for the numerous photo opportunities. Most people prefer to hike the loop counter-clockwise since walking up the Ed Riggs Trail is less strenuous than Echo Canyon Trail.
The route winds through spectacular rock formations including the Grottoes and Wallstreet to the densely wooded Echo Park. Hailstone Trail is fairly level, and due to its southern exposure, hotter and dryer. Expect to see more desert plants: yuccas, agaves, prickley pear and hedghog cactus. Ed riggs Trail takes you back to the trailhead among large pine trees.
The Trail is 3.3 miles and rated easy to moderate. Elevation starting at 6,784 ft going down to 6,330 ft and then back up.