CLEO'S TRAVELS: Carr Canyon; Our Lady of the Sierras; Coronado National Monument; Just south of Sierra Vista

Below is a photo that was intended to be included with the Bisbee, AZ photos. Somehow it was missed. Copper Queen Hotel is very interesting, and they have a good restaurant & bar. Indoor and patio dining available. We have done both.

Carr Canyon for Birding and Hiking
We had seen photos of the Carr Canyon Water Fall and wanted to visit even though we knew it wouldn’t be flowing as there had been little or no rain. On arriving, we decided to walk a short distance on a trail that headed north, away from the picnic areas. Met some birding folks and were told that they had spotted a few birds, but were really just enjoying the beautiful day. We really aren’t avid birders, but do enjoy spotting them and especially enjoy hearing their varied songs.

As you can see, the trail is good, but the trees and brush can be dense. We have no clue how far or high this trail goes, but it most likely joins with other trails in the Huachuca Mountains. These trails are often used by illegals, and for other illegal activity. There are posted warnings of this activity at all canyon and other visitor locations this close to the international border.

On the left side of this photo (at the saddle) is where the water fall would be, had we had rain. The trail to the water fall may require at least one crossing of the stream, although we didn’t have a trail map. Even thought the stream was dry we did not do this hike. Photo isn’t great because the location was in shadow.

Several days later we had two full days of steady rain. The local newspaper posted a photo of the water fall. It was awesome! At lunch the next day, our waitress told us about her hike with daughter & dog to see Carr Canyon Water Fall. Her daughter managed to easily reach the other side of the creek, with the dog in her arms. Mom wasn’t that sure footed. Daughter put the dog down to lend mom a hand. The dog decided to jump into the water. Not good, as the water flow was very swift. They managed to get the dog before being swept away, and neither of them fell in.

Our Lady of the Sierras Shrine
This site has beautiful panoramic views of the San Pedro Valley. The shrine was inspired by a religious pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Yugoslavia. You can clearly see the shrine from the valley floor. The 75-foot Celtic cross, 31-foot statue of the Virgin Mary and the Chapel, that can seat 40, provide peaceful sanctuary that all faiths can enjoy.

We parked and walked up this drive, as we didn’t know if there was parking at the top. There wasn’t. This only shows half of the drive up. There are stairs we could have taken.

If we had taken the stairs, we would have passed all the Stations of the Cross (shown below) on the way to the top. We returned to the car by using these stairs.

The views from here of the surrounding mountains and valley are breathtaking.

CORONADO NATIONAL MEMORIAL
This area commemorates Francisco Vasquez de Coronado’s expedition and the cultural influences of Spanish colonial exploration in the Americas in the 1500s. The area offers panoramic views of the U.S.-Mexican border and the San Pedro River Valley, Coronado’s probable route.

A visit to the Visitor Center is the first thing we like to do when visiting National Parks. Here you learn about the trails, roads, interesting sites, as well as the plants and animals in the area. Plants here include manzanita, agave, various cacti including pincushion and prickly pear. Commonly seen mammals here are white-tailed deer, javelina, coyote, coatimundi and the gray fox. Also found, but more elusive, are bobcat, black bear, and mountain lion. Surprised that there are black bear here.

We were again warned about smuggling and/or illegal entry being this close to the border. “Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Do not travel alone in remote areas. Report suspicious behavior to a park ranger or border patrol agent at 1-877-872-7435.”

The elevation at the Visitor Center is 5230’ with a picnic area and nature trail. The Cave Trail is located just up the road from the center and leads to 600-foot long Coronado Cave at an elevation of 5700’. The trail is a 3/4 mile hike from the parking area with an increase in elevation of 460’. However, the entrance and cave are unimproved and access into the cave could be difficult. So we passed on this. Side Note: Legend is that Geronimo used this cave as a hideout in the late 1800s.

Even though the road from the Visitor Center was only paved for the first mile, we decided to continue the drive to Montezuma Pass Overlook at an elevation of 6575’. Once the pavement ceased, it was all dirt and gravel and often one lane with tight switch-backs. At the top there are sweeping views of the San Pedro River Valley to the east and San Rafael Valley to the west. In the photo below, you are able to see some of the road winding its way to the top.

In the above photo, you are able to see the U.S. and Mexico border. The fence is dark and is clearly shown by the dark diagonal line across the valley floor. The Border Patrol monitor the pass and the surrounding area using this equipment (below) in the parking area at the top of the pass. They travel this pass frequently.

From the parking area you can take a short hike, which is just 4 tenths of a mile to Coronado Peak with an increase in elevation of 300 feet. We started this trail and upon reaching the first bench, QUIT! But the trail continues as you can see below!

The view from where we QUIT.

Below is the bench we decided to rest at. When we sat down, the wind was just a nice gentle breeze. We had just commented on that fact when the wind began to pick up. Photo was taken just before the wind hit us with a major gust! It blew hard and swirled around us. Grabbed the water and camera. The sound was awesome. Sounded like there were small pieces of paper blowing all around us. At first looked for them, then quickly realized the wind was picking up rocks and sand, pelting us and the rock below our feet, creating the sound we were hearing. Later Judy was picking rocks and sand out of her hair.

Behind Judy is the trail back to parking and in the distance the dirt road that continues down the west side of the pass to the San Rafael Valley area and other interesting places.