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I've been really wanting to explore the Chiricahuas for some time now and just recently started doing some actual research. It looks incredible up in there but I keep hearing about the dangers related to drug smugglers. How bad is it really? I imagine that they don't really want anything to do with backpackers.

Does anyone in here have experience spending time up there and what are your thoughts?

Thanks

@raisingarizona13
I think they say, if you encounter a smuggler in the wild, you should play dead, or is it appear large and make a lot of noise? I forget now.

@raisingarizona13
I see that you live in Flagstaff. If you go from Flagstaff to the Chiricahuas, the most perilous thing that you will do is to drive through the city of Phoenix.

It's been a few years now but I've encountered illegals twice on the Crest trail; I think it was around Memorial day weekend both times. One year was just a group of young men with a really rude Coyote guiding them; the other group were drug runners. Both times no problems; the first group I was hiking with my boyfriend at the time but we were separated; the second time I was solo hiking but there were other hikers on the trail. The interactions were basically I told the coyote to go "F" himself when he was demanding of food; the drug runners were kinda funny actually. At the end of the conversation ( in english almost always someone speaks or understands it) the leader told me there was a bear along the trail. I told him they needed to get off the trail because of all the hikers on it on a holiday weekend.
Not a good look for Douglas BP. A hiker told me later he called 911 on the drug runners and the Douglas BP said they would be on the lookout for them when they came down from the mountain ( undoubtedly a drop vehicle at the TH parking) So we were on our own.

@RedRoxx44

Did the drug runners have guns on them?

So it sounds like it's not really as dangerous as the media is making it out to be? I enjoy some sketch factor at times during adventures but wanted to feel this one out with people that have experience before committing.

@raisingarizona13
The drug runners did but quickly put them out of sight when I popped around the corner and caught them taking a break by the trail. Not threatening at any time. I think if you are approached just use common sense. Be firm but non threatening yourself and be cautious. Should be fine if you camp in an area with other people or if you want solitude make sure you are well away from a trafficked area.

You might encounter someone but it's not super common and to RedRoxx44's point, they're generally not looking to cause any problems. They have a "job" to do and screwing with random hikers is just not going to be good for their business. I ran across a couple of guys that were likely drug smugglers down south once before, although a different area, and it was pretty similar situation where they tried to hide the fact they had a gun, we made a couple jokes and went on our way. I was solo.

raisingarizona13 wrote:it sounds like it's not really as dangerous as the media is making it out to be?

As a general rule of thumb — on virtually any topic — this is a good baseline statement to begin with.

Last year I was driving up to Rustler Park from the East side, and just before Onion Saddle I saw a vehicle tucked back in a little discreet parking spot with two men in it who did not strike me as birders or hikers ... I assumed they were waiting to pick up people or packages. A while later I was walking around the Park and several Border Patrol vehicles came rumbling past from higher up and went down that direction ... no idea what happened, but everyone was gone when I drove down later. I spend a fair amount of time in the Chiricahua's, and that's the only time I've seen anyone who appeared to be in the smuggling business.

Basically, ask yourself this: do you go to Circle K sometimes when that QT is just a little too far away? If the answer is yes, then you've already put yourself in more danger

xsproutx wrote:do you go to Circle K sometimes when that QT is just a little too far away?

Or Walmart sometimes when the Target is just a little too far away?

I don’t worry about it. I’ve seen some questionable people in the ranges in the southern part of the state, and plenty of smuggling evidence, but they generally don’t want to draw unnecessary attention to themselves. I am always armed on every hike though, because I don’t really trust any strangers, not just smugglers.

I used to avoid the ranges just north of the border and south of I-8 because of the same concerns. Boy, was I missing out. Don’t let some headlines stop you from enjoying some of the best areas in the state of Arizona.

Haven't personally seen any smugglers down there, but Tucson friends have had encounters. Guy in Tucson runs in the Santa Rita regularly and only has two stories.

So I'll add to the consensus that it's certainly possible to run into smugglers, but it's not really something to worry about. As xsproutx said, messing with hikers would be bad for business. I generally worry more about target shooters and people messing with my vehicle.

@raisingarizona13
You'll be fine. Take lots of photos and enjoy.

I've been hiking and working in the Chiricahuas very regularly for the past 10 years and I've encountered drug smugglers twice in that time. They're certainly out there, but not as active as they once were, and don't want to mess with hikers or draw attention to themselves. Some groups have a lead scout that warns the rest if hikers are coming and they all get off the trail to avoid interaction.

I wouldn't worry about them at all in the Chiricahuas, personally. If you encounter a group, just leave them be, avoid contact, and they'll do the same.

@LindaAnn
Dang, do you carry on So Mo?

@ALMAL
Only her hairdresser knows for sure.

@ALMAL
She has so many bizarre SoMo tales of weird encounters she could publish a book.

@ALMAL Yes. Out of all the places I hike, SoMo is probably the most likely place I’d ever need it. That place is a vortex of weirdness.