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Coronado Hiking Trails |
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Emigrant Canyon Trail #255
Pioneers heading west used this northern Chiricahua canyon
to circumvent Apache Pass and avoid the danger of Indian
ambush there. The trail follows their old travel corridor for its
entire length,
but evidence of the road they built is mostly obliterated
by more recent passages. Pioneers entered the Chiricahuas via Wood
Canyon on the east,
then bounced and strained their way up and over Emigrant
Pass into Emigrant Canyon and followed it westward. Many travelers
in this area
now retrace the pioneer’s route backwards from west to east,
starting at the trailhead at the end of Forest Road 701.
A visit to the ruins of Fort Bowie at Apache Pass adds special interest
to this
alternative.
From the Emigrant Canyon Trailhead, the trail heads up-canyon
following the cottonwood and sycamore-shaded streambed
except for a couple of detours around narrow, rocky bottlenecks.
After passing Hells Half
Acre, the trail begins the serious part of its climb
to Emigrant Pass. There the reward for your effort is a good view
of the striking profile
of Cochise Head Mountain. From this high perspective,
the trail drops into Bitter Creek Canyon and continues into Wood
Canyon to join Indian
Creek Trail #253.
Attractions:
Historic passage
Canyon setting
Remote and secluded
Good views from the pass
Season: Spring, summer
Length: 5 miles
Elevation: 4,920'-5,640'
Rating: More difficult
Use: Light
USGS Maps: Cochise Head, Little Wood Canyon
Access: From Tucson, take I-10 east 109 miles to Bowie.
Turn South and travel 16 miles to the end of FR 701.
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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