It's a low 70's degree day in Willcox, and a bit breezy, so we decided to hike to Fort Bowie. It is 1.5 miles one way to the fort and visitor center, but we opt to return going up the mountain and down the other side, so it was 3.7 miles and we had an elevation change of 686 feet. It's a start to our work out program here! It is so full of history, so that makes it very interesting.
We have hiked this trail every year since 2006, except one, when we did the Northwest and down the coastline. We were just saying how we never see any wildlife. We were into this hike by one mile and saw 5 deer. When we got to the visitor center near the fort, the ranger told us that some hikers before us saw some javelinas and coatimundi at the Apache Springs. We did see a young javelina that was killed on the road, coming over to Fort Bowie.
The cemetery in Fort Bowie had many soldier's graves, but they did have 3 Apache children's graves, as well. Little Robe, two year old son of Geronimo is buried here. Geronimo and Cochise were of the Chiricahua Indian Tribes and they roamed this area.
Many people made their way across Apache Pass in the 19th century, as part of the expansion of America to the west. Apache Pass is a low divide between the Chiricahua and Dos Cabesas Mts. In 1858 a transcontinental overland mail route was established and crossed through Apache Pass. This was the famous Butterfield Overland mail route that was in operation from 1858 to 1861.
This is an Indian Wickiup, where the Apaches lived in these dwellings, near the fort.
This is a shot from the top of the mountain that we just climbed to overlook the fort area. Only fragments of the original buildings remain, but it was nestled in between many small mountains.
I took a picture of a picture of what the fort looked like back in the 1800's. I hope you can see how immense it really was.
I'm following Jim down the mountain, and you get some idea of the scenery we had on this hike.
No comments:
Post a Comment