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Dos Cabezas Peaks

The Dos Cabezas (“Two Heads”) Peaks are two dramatic rock outcrops that top the Dos Cabezas Mountains in southeast Arizona, between the city of Willcox and the Chiricahua Mountains. The notable summit is easily visible from Interstate-10 in southeast Arizona, with the best access coming from the north and west via the city of Willcox. The USGS topographical map lists an elevation of 8,354 feet, but this is for the benchmark which is located on the northern summit. The southern summit is higher by a few feet, and this has been conclusively demonstrated by various climbers over the years. Many people will seek both summits during the outing, but range highpointers can be satisfied with the southern summit only.

Despite the imposing appearance, there is a convenient ledge and ramp system on the south face of the south summit that allows for reasonably easy access to the top. Parts of the ledge are exposed, but never too bad. There are a couple chutes higher up that are class 3 with some exposure and some awkward positioning, but most fit hikers with some bravery can easily handle these impediments. The north summit is usually achieved by dropping into the notch and up more chutes. I personally did not climb this, but others said the rock and exposure was about the same as the south face, perhaps a shade under class 4.

Most of the range is public/BLM, with a large segment of it protected as wilderness. However, the summit lies outside the wilderness boundaries. Unfortunately, most of the lower slopes and surrounding valleys are privately owned, and the landowners have little interest in allowing public access into the range. In previous years, hikers could start walking along Mascot Mine Road in the village of Dos Cabezas through an easement, but this has been shut, effectively barring access. This issue has become a point of contention, and some lawsuits have compelled at least one landowner to grudgingly allow access through organized hikes with the Southern Arizona Hiking Club, or through people with connections. Otherwise, you are out of luck, or may need to scamper on your own across these posted lands.

Dragoon Mountains

The Dragoon Mountains are a range of mountains located in Cochise County, Arizona. The range is about 25 mi long, running on an axis extending south-south east through Willcox. The name originates from the 3rd U.S. Cavalry Dragoons who battled the Chiricahua, including Cochise, during the Apache Wars. The Dragoons established posts around 1856 after the Gadsden Purchase made it a U.S. territory.

The range is south of Interstate 10, between the Whetstone Mountains to the west, and Chiricahua Mountains to the east. Higher elevations of the major ranges in the region are in the Madrean Sky Islands ecoregion, with sky island habitats.

Mount Glenn (7,520 ft)is the highest point in the range. The Little Dragoon Mountains are the continuation of the Dragoon Mountains north of Texas Canyon.

The mountains were included in the short-lived Dragoon National Forest, which was established in 1907 and combined into Coronado National Forest in 1908. The area is now included in the Douglas Ranger District.

History – The warrior Cochise and his army defeated a small force of Union soldiers here at the First Battle of Dragoon Springs but was defeated at the Second Battle of Dragoon Springs a few days later. Cochise Stronghold Memorial Park lies near Mount Glenn on the eastern slope of the range and the historic town of Tombstone can be found at the southwestern portion of the range. There are also several ghost towns in the Dragoon Mountains including Gleeson and Courtland.

Willcox, Arizona

Seeing scores of sandhill cranes – along with ducks, grebes, shorebirds, waters, and passerines – take flight from Cochise Lakes is a thrilling spectacle for anyone, not just birdwatchers. Willcox celebrates its visiting fowl – the cranes and other species migrate to the area each winter – with an annual festival, Wings Over Willcox, that draws human visitors from around the world.

The Sonoran Desert surrounding Willcox attracts hikers, cyclists, campers, golfers, and other adventure-seekers. Chiricahua National Monument has more than 20 miles of hiking trails through towering spike rock formations, along with an impressive array of desert plants and animals. Cochise Stronghold has a five-mile hiking trail, rock climbing, petroglyphs, and picnic and camping facilities.

History buffs will appreciate the area’s role in the Indian Wars of the late 1880s. Willcox is the starting point for a journey through the Magic Circle of Cochise: from the ghost town of Dos Cabezas to Apache Pass to Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Western music and movie fans flock to Willcox each year for Rex Allen Days, a tribute to the famous western movie star. The Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame tips its hat to Willcox’s ranching influence. To learn more about the history of Apaches, the military, ranching, the railroad and mining in the Sulphur Springs Valley, check out the Chiricahua Regional Museum & Research Center.

Historic downtown Willcox is home to the oldest continually operating store in Arizona, along with antique shops, museums, locally-owned restaurants and specialty shops.