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  Cochise Trail #279
In the 1860’s, the charismatic Chiricahua Apache leader, Cochise, adopted the rugged canyons that cross the midsection of the Dragoon Mountains as a refuge for himself and his people. The place came to be known as Cochise Stronghold. One feature of this natural fortress was that the two rocky canyons, one from each side of the mountain range, nearly meet high in the Dragoons. With their outlandish rock formations and thick oak-juniper vegetation they offer a concealed escape route in either direction.
No one knows how many times Cochise and his people used these two canyons and the trail that connects them to move across these mountains. Today, Forest visitors travel this route as a portal back into this area’s colorful past, as well as an access route to its scenic present. The trail extends between the Cochise Stronghold Campground on the east and a 4-wheel drive road (FR 688) into West Stronghold Canyon on the west side of the Dragoons. If you choose, you can travel all the way to Council Rocks at the mouth of West Stronghold. A trip along this trail will give you some idea why Cochise considered it a stronghold.
Attractions:
Historic Apache Stronghold
Natural rock sculptures
Tall cliffs, distant views
Colorful history
Season: Spring, summer, fall
Length: 4.5 miles
Elevation: 5,000'-6,000'
Rating: More difficult
Use: Light
USGS Map(s): Cochise Stronghold
Access:
- East access–From Tucson, take I-10 east 72 miles to US 191. Turn right (south) and drive 12 miles south to Ironwood Road. Turn right and drive 8 miles to Cochise Stronghold Campground.
- Equestrians please park at the first trailhead which is located before the campground.
- West access–Take US 80 (south) from Benson. Turn left onto Middlemarch Road (one mile north of Tombstone). At the Forest boundary, turn left onto FR 687. Turn right onto FR 688 (a 4-wheel drive road). The trail starts at the end of the road.
Notes:
Before using this trail, call the Douglas Ranger District for a report on current trail conditions which can vary with season, weather and maintenance status.
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