The View from Pole Bridge Saddle, Chiricahua Mountains
Like many people here in the Southwest, I love the Sky Islands. Rising many thousands of feet above the valleys that surround them, the Sky Islands are not only beautiful mountain ranges but are unique habitats for an incredible diversity of plant and animal life. Located as they are at the intersection of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, and the southern Rocky and northern Sierra madre mountain ranges, the sky islands harbor birds, animals and plants that are found nowhere else in the world. They offer birders rich opportunities to observe rarely seen bird species. For hikers and backpackers, they offer challenging but spectacular trails and recreation options.
We hadn't explored the Chiricahua Mountains south of the national monument and pinery Creek, so in mid-March we set off to explore Turkey Creek and Rucker Canyon, on the west side of the range. Both were beautiful. We camped first in Turkey Creek, arriving the day after a respectable snowfall. Turkey Creek Canyon is popular, and we saw many other people during our three days there. We hiked two trails, the Pole Bridge and Mormon Canyon Trails, Both Terrific walks. Rucker Canyon, on the other hand, is not heavily frequented, and we had the whole area pretty much to ourselves. Three more wonderful days of hiking and sightseeing.
Overwintering Leaves
Pole Bridge Trail
The View Northwest Toward Mt Graham
Secret Chamber
Sunrise Light
Doorway in Time
Sunset, Rucker Canyon
Waterfall on Turkey Creek
Burned House in Turkey Creek Canyon
Agave Along Rucker Creek
Once There Were Rivers
Ann and Zuli at Old Rucker Camp
Looking Southeast Down Rucker Canyon
Raindrops on Woolly Mullein
Sycamore Leaves in Snow
Stone Bastions, Rucker Canyon
Reflections in Rucker CReek
Snow Along the Pole Bridge Trail
