Cochise Head • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

login for filter options

Jun 30 2023

Mike_W

Guides 104
Routes 256
Photos 16,118
Triplogs 528

53 male

Joined Dec 30 2005
Tucson, AZ

Cochise Head

Tucson, AZ

Cochise Head

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 30 2023
		Mike_W • Triplogs 528

Hiking	9.10 Miles	2,666 AEG

Hiking	9.10 Miles	5 Hrs 55 Mns	1.54 mph
	2,666 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

I met Tim T at 7:30 AM and we started this hike. I originally had concerns about the heat but felt like we'd be OK if we started early since the elevation was going up to 8 K. Had this been ALL trail, it wouldn't have been so bad, but this was a brutal bushwhack in many areas with very little shade/shelter. We used a Gaia mapped route on the way down which proved to be a better way to go. The trail was very faint in some places. I felt like we went down faster, but we didn't, most likely because of the brutal heat. If you are considering doing this hike, DO NOT go in the summer. October through March would be much better.

The trail starts off following an old 4x4 road for about a mile. Then, there was a trail, with some cairns in a few areas. There were definitely not enough cairns and we lost the trail multiples times on the way up and down. I lost count of how many dead trees were blocking what was left of a trail, but I believe at least 50. Some of the trees could be stepped over, some you had to bushwhack around.

When Cochise Head becomes visible, you will basically hike to the left slope of it, go up the slope, then behind the mouth and nose and then you will ascend the nose, which is the high point. The steepest part of the hike was the bushwhack up the steep slope behind the mouth and nose. Once you get to the saddle East of the nose, it's a pretty straight-forward climb to the summit.

We found a registry on top which was a plastic jar. The jar was cracked and the registry was in bad condition. I replaced the plastic jar with a glass jar, which should keep the log in better condition.

AEG = 2,666 feet

Strava moving time was 5 hrs 55 minutes

_____________________

Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us

Nov 02 2021

rwhiteside

Triplogs 6

male

Joined Dec 30 2020
Parker Dam, CA

Cochise Head

Tucson, AZ

Cochise Head

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 02 2021
		rwhiteside • Triplogs 6

Hiking	8.65 Miles	3,074 AEG

Hiking	8.65 Miles
	3,074 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

I wouldn’t attempt this hike without this GPX file loaded in my phone using GaiaGPS, Alltrails, or some other mapping app to navigate as the route finding is tricky for this once you leave the mining road. However, there are cairns, a few flags, one burned trail sign, and the trail is visible for roughly 50% of the hike. Its was more mentally challenging than anything and after and during I kept thinking this isn’t that bad. There are a few downed trees and I found that at times I thought I was on a trail but it was not the actual trail but perhaps a game trail (but it paralleled the main trail). There was a bit of fighting with brush/shrubs. It’s a good challenge, wonderful solitude, and you summit the iconic Cochise Head.

After arriving at Wood Canyon Saddle, where the only trail sign is located with one of the signs completely burned, it appears there never really was a trail between the saddle and just below the summit (where a bit of a trail begins). The good news is the terrain is much more open here with clumps of manzanita/oak/other large shrubs which can be navigated between. So watch for loose and steep terrain and just go for it using good judgement, although I slipped at least twice here. When you get close to the summit, cairns reappear and, hallelujah, some signs of a trail appear. Don’t follow this GPX file exactly here; it has you doing a Class 4/5 climb up the summit for some reason. Instead, follow the GaiaGPS/Alltrails depicted trail (which you can mostly follow anyways) and approach the summit from its East/SE face – a few cairns are here too. Surprisingly yet unsurprisingly there was a summit register on top but it was in a plastic container that has busted and the paper inside is water damaged although I was happy to see another party that climbed in September of 2021 (I believe).

I was very interested in doing a loop via Indian Creek and Whitetail trails but at last, after investigating the trail for a short bit from Wood Canyon Saddle, the fire damage is just as bad here and I was worried about having enough daylight and mental fortitude to attempt this. What if the trail really crapped out somewhere on the loop? This my fear with loops where you might have to turn around at some impassible point or some highly degraded trail segment.

Apr 02 2016

knmurphy

Photos 281
Triplogs 222

45 male

Joined Aug 03 2008
Chandler, AZ

Cochise Head

Tucson, AZ

Cochise Head

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Apr 02 2016
		knmurphy • Triplogs 222

Hiking	12.50 Miles	3,874 AEG

Hiking	12.50 Miles
	3,874 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Indian Springs Trail #627

Partners

partners

VolcanoCLMBR

_____________________

Apr 02 2016

VolcanoCLMBR

Routes 1
Photos 2,050
Triplogs 425

46 male

Joined Sep 16 2011
Phoenix

Cochise Head

Tucson, AZ

Cochise Head

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Apr 02 2016
		VolcanoCLMBR • Triplogs 425

Hiking	12.75 Miles	3,074 AEG

Hiking	12.75 Miles	8 Hrs	1.59 mph
	3,074 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

For quite sometime Ive had making a climb of Cochise Head on my bucket list. Finally made it!! This remote and seldom traveled area of the Chiricahuas is as every bit as puzzling as it is intense. After having started our day from the Lower Rhyolite Trail at the National Monument Visitor Center (Because the NPS had extended the road construction. Come to find out they were opening the road for the weekend at the last minute) Once we reached the Echo Canyon TH we got a ride back down to pick up our cars, we parked our cars 1.1 miles from Echo canyon TH on a small roadside pull off area below.
We then started our hike up an old mining road with a moderate climb passing the site of the old mine. The road continues its way up further at the end of the road theres a big cairn indicating the start of the "trail" travel all the way to the top. Almost immediately we figured these "trails" where active cattle trails with some cairs here and there indicating the way. Quickly we all figured out our route was taking us. Lots of overgrowth and burned down trees made travel slow going and uncomfortable at times. We reached the bottom of a saddle where we would climb up along several of its hills along the ridgeline. Overgrowth, cow manure, and thorny shrubs reign this area before we reach the sketchy loose talus area just below the summit. After almost four hours we made summit at 2.40 PM, the views are amazing with many far reaching mountain ranges visible in the distance. On our way down we made it back in a little over 2 hours. We then headed outside the NATMON area along Pinery Canyon Rd inside the Coronado NF where there are plenty of car camping sites.

_____________________

The world is my playground!

2 archives

Apr 13 2014

iborrego

Triplogs 348

32 male

Joined Oct 13 2012
Tucson, AZ

Cochise Head

Tucson, AZ

Cochise Head

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Apr 13 2014
		iborrego • Triplogs 348

Hiking	8.65 Miles	3,074 AEG

Hiking	8.65 Miles	3 Hrs	2.88 mph
	3,074 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

_____________________

Nov 24 2012

Booneman

Guides 9
Routes 33
Photos 780
Triplogs 4,634

44 male

Joined Nov 25 2008
Scottsdale, AZ

Cochise Head

Tucson, AZ

Cochise Head

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 24 2012
		Booneman • Triplogs 4,634

Hiking	8.65 Miles	3,074 AEG

Hiking	8.65 Miles	5 Hrs 1 Min	1.72 mph
	3,074 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cochise Head

_____________________

Oct 30 2010

rwstorm

Guides 1
Routes 136
Photos 22,415
Triplogs 1,041

77 male

Joined Feb 28 2003
Tucson, AZ

Cochise Head, AZ

Hiking		Oct 30 2010
		rwstorm • Triplogs 1,041

Hiking	8.00 Miles	2,500 AEG

Hiking	8.00 Miles	7 Hrs	1.14 mph
	2,500 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Cochise Head

Partners

partners

TUB - Group

RedwallNHops

Two nights of camping along Pinery Canyon Road included a Saturday hike to Cochise Head from within Chiricahua National Monument. This hike is not long but is steep and tough, combining road, trail, bushwhack, and scrambling. Absolutely fantastic views and rock formations abound.
Summit is listed as 8087 feet.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Hedgehog Cactus

Autumn Foliage Observation Light

_____________________

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

username		X
password		X