Chiricahua Peak

Chiricahua Peak
Chiricahua Peak from above Junction Saddle.
Highest point
Elevation9,773[1] ft (2,979 m) NAVD 88[2]
Prominence5,139 ft (1,566 m)[3]
Parent peakNevado de Toluca[4]
Isolation64.19 mi (103.30 km)[3]
Listing
Coordinates31°50′47″N 109°17′29″W / 31.8464771°N 109.2914408°W / 31.8464771; -109.2914408[5]
Geography
Chiricahua Peak is located in Arizona
Chiricahua Peak
Chiricahua Peak
Location
Parent rangeChiricahua Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Chiricahua Peak
Geology
Rock age27 Ma
Mountain typeVolcanic

Chiricahua Peak is a 9,773 feet (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.[3]

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.[6]

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.[7] Most trails still receive infrequent volunteer maintenance.

  1. ^ "USGS 3DEP Viewer". USGS 3DEP Viewer. USGS. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  2. ^ "What is the projection, horizontal datum, vertical datum, and resolution for a USGS digital elevation model (DEM)?". What is the projection, horizontal datum, vertical datum, and resolution for a USGS digital elevation model (DEM)?. USGS. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Chiricahua Peak, Arizona". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  4. ^ "Key Col for Chiricahua Peak, Arizona". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
  5. ^ "Chiricahua Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
  6. ^ "Chiricahua National Monument Geology Footnotes". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2014-02-20. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  7. ^ "Horseshoe Two Fire (2011)". National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-08-15.