Day 36, Mon. May 7, 2018, The Chiricahua National Monument.

As a National monument , the historical significance of Chiricahua National Monument for Native Americans (Indian) is significant. This piece of beautiful land was the hideout of the tribe by the same name who eluded the US Cavalry for many years.  (**See note at end of article)  It also happens to be today as it was then as wonderful "trap"of sorts to be a refuge for birds and wildlife especially in the heat of summer as it protrudes some 6,870 feet at its highest. The many canyons, creeks and various habitats allow the various wildlife forms to reside there, and because it is close to Mexico , many of the species of plants and wildlife (birds included), are in the endangered list  as this "island in the sky" is a sanctuary for them.  Many birds are at the northern limit of their range here. Some animals are the Coatimundi, Arizona White tailed Deer (saw them) , Chiricahua Fox Squirrel (them too), Black Tailed rattle snakes (didn't see them)  and Mountain Spiny lizards (saw them).

You can see that  "Organ Pipe" is well named

A close up  of one of the "pipes".

Some of the bird species seen today were the  MEXICAN JAY, *PAINTED REDSTART, *TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, ACORN WOODPECKER,  2 ROBINS!, HUTTON'S VIREO, BRIDLED TITMOUSE, and the WESTERN WOOD PEEWEE.  The Robins were a surprise!

The terrain in the mountains is steep as the main 8 mile auto route  travels through the oak, pine and cypress forests ending at Massai (sic) Point where the view is 360 degrees of the Ryolite Canyon (see  photo). It was a glorious day at 81 F and a slight cooling breeze. Ten degrees warmer than the flat land below.

The origin of the "pipes"is historic.The volcano, "Turkey Creek," some 25 million years ago, spewed ash for 1200 square miles and layered it here, That's a lot of ash! Over the years the weathering (water, wind, freezing, etc) has gradually eroded the piles of ash now rock.

Some of the Ryolite Canyon formed when the ash solidified.

  There are many trails and camping sites in the Monument and even though the temps were hot, there were walkers on the trails.  A good way to see the specific rock formations is by trail.  The prickly pear cactus and others, the beautiful bark of the Manzanita tree, white oak and the Javalina are other  highlights of the Monument.

We ate lunch at Massai Point and returned to
 the Visitor center to get some answers about two birds which are * in the paragraph above.

The Prickly Thistle

Gambel's Quail ...hiding.

In the desert , even on  the mountain, heavy rains can be devastating... hence good drainage.

Massai Pont at 6,870 feet elevation, is the top of the "Island".

When we returned to the trailer the wind was blowing at 15-20 mph so we took down the small awning over the dining room area  before we lost it. Soon the wind quieted down. Tomorrow we head for Phoenix (Mesa) and some time with Ruth's family. Maybe a swim and a cook out!

P.S. Gas prices are nearing $3.00 /gallon. Some are already over that.

**P.P.S.S.  As a point of clarification, (not detailed), the Chiricahua people were a part of the larger Apache nation. The Athapaskan  migration down from the Bering Straits to southern land , (La and TX), was their land, but were pushed out to the SW (NM, AZ)  by the Plains Indians. AT ONE TIME THEY LIVED ON 15,000,000 ACRES OF TERRITORY. Cochise was one of dozens of leaders , and when Mangus Colorado was mutilated by the Cavalry,  Cochise and ALL of the Apaches vowed to kill and destroy the "white eyes". They eventually capitulated as witnessed by the last battles with Geronimo.