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Post by dT on Aug 19, 2012 15:36:23 GMT -5
About 40 miles east of the Chiricahua Monument lies the stronghold of Cochise. It is clearly visible as a jumble of granite when you stand on top of the Chiricahua monument. Unlike the rocks of the Chiricahua mountain, the rock at the stronghold is solid granite. This is an impressive and beautiful place. It is popular amongst visitors who enjoy rock climbing and hiking. This picture was taken with one of the August thunderstorms overhead. They occur almost every day, usually in the afternoon. dT Attachments:
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Post by dT on Aug 19, 2012 15:39:32 GMT -5
If you go to the Cochise Stronghold, you should skip the time between late June and the end of August. Currently there is no camping during this summer time period. Apparently the number of visitors is too few during these summer months (weather too hot!), and it is too expensive to keep the camp facilities going. The place opens up in September. The granite is stained with a green lichen, making it quite picturesque. dT Attachments:
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Post by dT on Aug 19, 2012 15:43:14 GMT -5
I spent many years in the wilderness when I was young - especially as a rock climber. So I have a natural preference and love for certain types of rock - granite is always a great favorite. But the places where I used to climb were in the desert, and generally the plant life was not abundant. I was surprised - and impressed - to find that there are many plants and trees growing at the Cochise Stronghold ... due to its higher elevation in the Dragoon Mountains. It is truly a beautiful place. It is very easy to understand why Cheis (Cochise) loved this place so much, and why the members of his tribe buried him here. dT Attachments:
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Post by dT on Aug 19, 2012 15:49:21 GMT -5
Plant life is quite abundant .. and since there are few visitors the plants are healthy and not damaged. I hope to explore this place a lot more in the future ... I am sure there must be many species in the Stronghold. Since it was August, I had to park outside the boundary (there is a gate that is closed) and so I could only walk in on foot. It is much easier to go hiking and to experience the Stronghold if you can stay in the campground. There is an asphalt road, except for about the last 5 miles. The remaining road is dirt and gravel - but not bad. And vehicle can do it. dT Attachments:
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Post by dT on Aug 19, 2012 15:54:58 GMT -5
All the plants and animals enjoy the rain that comes with the August thunderstorms. I have to say - it felt pretty good to me too :-) In August, when there are no visitors, the stronghold is very quiet. It is an excellent place to find solitude, to meditate, and to pray. Injustice has happened ... the Chiricahua people should be here ... but they are not. But what was once broken - can be fixed. What was once torn apart - can be mended. There are possible paths forward for the Chiricahua people ... there is no need for an impass. Hope exists for a better future. That is something that we should all work towards! dT Attachments:
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Post by naiches2 on Aug 19, 2012 16:07:48 GMT -5
Great images! Thank you dt for posted it.
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Post by pullingup on Aug 29, 2012 15:07:16 GMT -5
The Fort Sill Chiricahua/Warm Springs Apache Tribe owns four acres of land in the east stronghold canyon. One might occasionally encounter some of the Chiricahua people there.
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Post by kayitah on Aug 30, 2012 8:59:13 GMT -5
Very beautiful photos you've taken. I'll add some of mine that I took last year by the end of July.
I'd like to share some of my feelings from this visit... I've felt a special kind of happiness, calmness and emotionality while spending time in the Stronghold that I've rarely ever felt anywhere else.
Even though I'm an open-minded person, I would have felt embarrassed if I freely told any N'dee about my deep sympathy, empathy and admiration for them. Of course this also has to do with respect towards them and not wanting to touch a delicate matter in talks with a person I meet for the first time. An exception is my dear Dilzhe’e friend from San Carlos. We could speak about anything from the first moment. He taught me a lot and I’m looking forward to seeing him again next year if everything goes well. Not that most N’dee that I met weren’t kind or at least neutral – I met many friendly and helpful people, but as a stranger I always have second thoughts what people might think about me as an „outsider“ . That’s not in a bad way, and much less because of others. It’s just the way I am… outgoing yet cautious, interested, humorous and compassionate but always polite and too often a bit too reserved.
In the Cochise Stronghold it was different… I felt like I didn’t have to hide any feelings. It was like my heart was wide open and there was an exchange of energy. I’m not an overly spiritual person. I’m not fond of the bible, shrift, the pope or catholicism at all and I rarely ever go to church. Nevertheless, I strongly believe in god, the creator, but I lean much more towards my mom’s family protestant denomination, even though I was baptized a catholic. To cut an already long story short - I’m more of a thinker and explorer than a believer, yet I clearly felt that there is power…
…there's power in these mountains.
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Post by kayitah on Aug 30, 2012 9:02:28 GMT -5
you can find these beautiful flowers everywhere if you hike a little... always between 2 to 7 or 8 together, never large patches, but very eyecatching...  |
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Post by kayitah on Aug 30, 2012 9:04:11 GMT -5
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Post by kayitah on Aug 30, 2012 9:04:48 GMT -5
interesting little fellow...   |
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Post by kayitah on Aug 30, 2012 9:05:26 GMT -5
harmony...  |
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Post by kayitah on Aug 30, 2012 9:05:54 GMT -5
...and magic  |
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Post by kayitah on Aug 30, 2012 9:08:53 GMT -5
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Post by dT on Aug 30, 2012 15:03:15 GMT -5
Kayitah - very nice photo's. Thanks for posting!
You are right. There is a special kind of power in that place.
It feels very much like the Spriit of Cochise still watches over it.
We should see if we can arrange a group meeting some time in 2013. Perhaps we can encourage Nde from various clans to come. It would also be very good to get the young people involved - so they feel that this place is a part of their heritage. In fact ... what would be really good is if both young and old people came. That would be very good.
By the way - i had to look very hard to see the grasshopper in that one picture.
That bug is very well camoflaged. Hahahahahaha!!!
dT
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