Skip to content

Chiricahua Peak

Chiricahua Peak, seen from above at true elevation

Chiricahua Peak rises to 2,979 m in Arizona. Fly Peak stands 2,948 m to the north-northeast, 1.9 miles off. The nearest named place is Headquarters Spring, a spring 0.4 miles away.

The story

Chiricahua Peak is a 9,773-foot (2,979 m) peak located in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona, located about 35 miles (56 km) north of the United States–Mexico border. It is the highest summit in the Chiricahua Mountains and the highest point in Cochise County. As with the rest of the Chiricahua Mountains, the peak was formed as the result of a violent volcanic eruption about 27 million years ago. The peak contains one of the southernmost Engelmann spruce stands in the world. There are also extensive stands of quaking aspen on the north slope. Much of the peak was severely burned in recent times, causing aspens to take up once occupied by evergreen trees. Through the trunks of trees, views can be seen northward and westward. This includes views across the Basin and Range to Mount Lemmon, Mount Graham, and Mount Wrightson. In addition, Willcox Playa is visible in the basin below. In 2011 the Horseshoe 2 Fire burned a total of 223,000 acres (90,000 ha) within the Chiricahua Mountains causing considerable damage to the trail system. Most trails still receive infrequent volunteer maintenance.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Wikidata Q5101895, referenced by the OpenStreetMap record.

What the record says

Elevation
2979 m

How to reach it

Coordinates31.84590, -109.29133

Named places within 25 miles

Springs
  • Headquarters Spring: 0.4 mi
  • Anita Spring: 0.5 mi
  • Ojo Agua Fria: 0.7 mi
  • Eagle Spring: 1.0 mi
  • Cima Spring: 1.2 mi
Peaks
  • Aspen Peak: 0.8 mi
  • Paint Rock: 1.0 mi
  • Ward Peak: 1.3 mi
  • Snowshed Peak: 1.5 mi
  • Raspberry Peak: 1.7 mi
Historic sites: 20
  • Cima Park Fire Guard Station Barn: 1.2 mi
  • Sentinel Peak Fire Lookout Memorial: 3.6 mi
  • Ramon P. "Monchi" Gonzales Memorial: 4.6 mi
  • Harper Memorial Chapel: 5.0 mi
  • Barfoot Park National Natural Landmark marker: 5.0 mi
Nature reserves: 15
Waterfalls: 11
  • Callahan Falls: 1.4 mi
  • Upper Cave Creek Falls: 2.1 mi
  • Lower Cave Creek Falls: 2.3 mi
  • Winn Falls: 2.4 mi
  • Brushy Canyon Falls: 3.3 mi
Parks: 9
  • Pole Bridge Canyon Natural Area: 2.8 mi
  • Pine Park: 2.9 mi
  • Maple Camp: 5.5 mi
  • Bird watching area: 5.7 mi
  • Bonita Park: 13.0 mi
Attractions: 5
  • Johnny Ringo Grave: 7.6 mi
  • Faraway ranch (guided tour): 12.2 mi
  • Natural Bridge: 12.7 mi
  • Geronimo Surrender Monument: 21.7 mi
  • Devil's Kitchen: 22.2 mi
Artworks: 5
  • Wagon Wheel: 8.9 mi
  • Boat Minions: 11.4 mi
  • Motorcycle Minion: 11.4 mi
  • Gardening Minions: 11.4 mi
  • Tractor Minion: 11.4 mi
Museums: 3
Ghost towns: 2
Cliffs: 2

Other summits around it

The highest named summits within 11.4 miles of Chiricahua Peak. Elevation from each summit’s own record; bearing measured between the two coordinates.

SummitBearingElevationDistance
Fly PeakNNE 13°2,948.11 m1.9 mi
Aspen PeakSE 128°2,941 m0.8 mi
Snowshed PeakESE 109°2,936 m1.5 mi
Ward PeakN 9°2,918 m1.3 mi
Raspberry PeakSSW 205°2,871 m1.7 mi
Paint RockSSW 210°2,858 m1.0 mi
Riggs PeakN 9°2,837 m2.8 mi
Monte Vista PeakSW 225°2,826 m2.0 mi

When to go

Light through the year

DateSunriseGolden hourSunset
March equinox06:2217:5718:29
June solstice05:1318:5119:27
September equinox06:0617:4318:15
December solstice07:1416:4117:18

Local time (America/Phoenix).

Climate normals

Months averaging 50–80 °F: Apr–Oct.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °F414449556271737166584841
Precip in1.41.10.90.40.50.93.94.42.11.11.31.7

1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, NOAA NCEI — Portal 4 SW, 6 mi away.

Where this comes from

Location and category confirmed against OpenStreetMap.

OpenStreetMapWikidata
  • USGS Geographic Names Information System feature 2878 — Chiricahua Peak, Cochise County, Arizona.

OpenStreetMap element node/359244307

More peaks in Arizona

Day trips start here

Drive to it

Byway plans a real route around stops like this one.

Private beta · Free to join

Take the scenic way to Chiricahua Peak.

Byway plans around your taste, verified places, real weather and opening hours — then opens every leg in Google Maps with one tap.

Private beta · Free to join · No card · Invite when a spot opens