While driving through Cochise County, I visited several places that I would classify as “adventures.” I would like to introduce three places that I enjoyed.

Fort Cochise, One of our favorite places is in the Dragoon Mountains, accessed by a narrow dirt road. As we drove to our destination, we stopped to read the signs about the early English settlers at the base and take pictures of the Shilling family ruins. A narrow path ends at a picnic area. The picnic area provides ample shade and multiple picnic tables during the warm summer months.

When I got out of the car and looked at the beautiful cliffs and unexplored areas, I could understand why this place was chosen as a natural fortress and hideaway. The area provided water, shade, and protection for its inhabitants. On designated trails, we passed manzanita trees with red trunks, yucca, golden grass and interesting rock formations.

The natural beauty of the area was really impressive. Cochise and his warriors were probably walking the same roads and we were seeing the same natural beauty that Cochise saw! It was not difficult to live there, raise children, remember those who died and were buried. It was easy to imagine a family living in this small neighborhood. I could easily imagine my family being hungry, sad and scared while living here. Sometimes Arizona’s history seeps into you and changes you a little.

It was here at Stronghold that we first learned about Tom Jeffers. He was a white man who became Kochise’s blood brother. The depth of their friendship continued until the death of Cochise, who died in Stronghold and was buried in a beautiful rock. Tom Jeffers is the only white man who knew the location of his burial. Several books have been written about their friendship. Our favorite book is Elliot Arnold’s “Blood Brothers”.

For history buffs, Tom Jeffers is buried at Tucson’s Evergreen Memorial Park. This is a place full of history and natural beauty surrounded by impressive rock formations. A great place for lunch, a walk, a hike, and/or to clear your mind of the day-to-day affairs.

paradise, It has been designated as Arizona’s Ghost Town and is located about 6 miles west of Portal. The town was settled in 1901 when ore was discovered in the area and a post office was opened. Eventually the mines were no longer productive and the population dwindled. The post office he closed in 1943. In 2011, the population was her five permanent residents and the community had 29 structures.

In 2015, after carefully reading the directions, we made our way through rolling hills and golden grass to a dirt road and headed up the mountain side. rice field. I saw a dozen structures along the dirt road that day. The adobe and wooden buildings were in varying states of decay. There were no signs of habitation. It was a trip well worth the time and effort, but it definitely falls into the “adventure” category.

Cortland, A designated Arizona ghost town, it is located east of Tombstone, near the ghost town of Gleason. Once a mining town, in its heyday more than 2,000 people lived in the area. The post office he founded in 1909 and was abolished in 1942. Some of the buildings were removed when the mining families left the area, but there are still undiscovered remains.

Along the 1-mile dirt road, we found the remains of an old prison, commercial building walls, stone walls, foundations, tailings, and open pit mines. The open pit mine we saw was fenced, but this area is tricky. The desert environment has reclaimed this abandoned mining town, but there are still some remnants of its past to see.

For adventurers looking to explore closer to home, here are some of the sites we enjoyed in Pima County.

lake aribaka It is located south of the town of Arivaka and can be accessed from Ruby Road. A drive to the lake is attractive to adventurers and explorers. The lake is accessed by a dirt road that winds and turns towards the water body. Along the way you will see interesting rock formations.

WARNING: Rock lovers can find Mexican fire agate and opal in the hills along the dirt road. Once you arrive at the lake, the only amenities you’ll see are the outhouses and the boat ramp. This is a remote and pristine area surrounded by grasslands, mountains and ranches. This game fish lake is a 90-acre reservoir built by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Water levels vary from season to season depending on precipitation. Recreational activities include bird watching, wildlife viewing, fishing, rock climbing, primitive camping, hiking, and boating (small boats). The solitude of this area is very attractive. A perfect spot to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

florida canyon, Located on FR62A, accessible via Box Canyon Road. This valley in the Santa Rita Mountains is a popular destination for hikers and birders. A three-mile long dirt road offers travelers the opportunity to enjoy spectacular views. Unobstructed views of the Golden Meadows, Ocotillo Grove, Santa Rita Mountains and Elephant Head. Often we returned to this site to enjoy Mother Nature.

During our adventure we explored a semi-intact wooden structure near the gate. Another day we found a building off the road and followed a narrow path to it. It’s an abandoned cement block house with a barn, corral, and a barn leaning against a tree. While visiting this beautiful and peaceful canyon, I took pictures of mountains, golden grass, poppies and flowing streams. What a unique place for a calm and interesting trip. You don’t need a 4×4 for this adventure.

Redington Pass, The high pass between the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains lies within the Coronado National Forest. The forest is open to campers, hikers, cyclists, photographers and nature lovers of all kinds. A 13-mile dirt road connects the communities of Reddington and Tucson and is famous for its access to Tankhi Verde Falls. The dirt roads are popular with all-terrain enthusiasts, mountain bikers, and high-height clearance cars.

In November 2015 we accessed the dirt road via Tank Verde Road and navigated through the desert landscape of a narrow and winding dirt road with some hairpin turns and no guardrails. On many occasions we stopped to take incredible pictures of the beauty of our surroundings and of Tucson. This is, in our opinion, a great adventure to brag about!

Adventure opportunities also exist in Santa Cruz County. Here are two recommended spots.

Appleton Whittel Research Ranch Located on Research Road in Elgin. This 13-square-mile sanctuary of his is dedicated to the conservation and study of the Southwestern grasslands. The research facility, partly owned by the National Audubon Society, consists of a variety of habitats, including semi-desert grasslands, forests, savannas, and riparian areas.

When I visited the property in February 2020, I was mesmerized by the 8,000 acres of ungrazed grassland that stretches for miles along narrow dirt roads. With rolling hills, spectacular views of the Mustang Mountains, historic fences and the ruins of two ranches, it’s the perfect place to explore.

We explored research sites including the Swinging H Ranch House, Bunkhouse, Casita, and Research Institute. At the headquarters site, I had the opportunity to tour the shop, offices, two residences and an Amish-style barn. We spoke with the resident scientists and managers about the ranch’s mission, the history of the two ranches, and detailed descriptions of the various habitats. I was advised to look at the horny toads that congregate in

We saw many birds and two farms that day and met some passionate people who are passionate about preserving this environment for all of us to enjoy. A little advice — take your camera and go on this trip. Maybe you just want to take pictures of spectacular landscapes.

Gardner Canyon and Forest Road 785 scenic drive It is located four miles (4 miles) north of Sonoita and is accessible via US 83. This 30-mile (19-mile) round-trip scenic drive winds through beautiful scenery of rolling hills covered in natural grass and large riverbeds.

In May 2017, after a leisurely 7-mile (one-way) drive on dirt roads, enjoying the scenery, seeing the giant trees on the banks of the river, and driving past Apache Springs Ranch, I decided to call it quits. At the 7-mile mark, the dirt road was getting harder and harder to navigate, and Gipsy (a 2006 Honda CRV) was starting to get nervous. We turned around and sat under a beautiful mature tree by the river for lunch. Further research showed that the last few miles of the scenic drive were rated as difficult and used primarily by ATVs and equestrian riders. Anyway, the trip was full of adventure and beautiful scenery.

Spending time in the wilderness of our beautiful state is always rewarding for us. Take time to breathe, stop in the middle of the road at any time, take lots of incredible photos, and drive at your own pace. If you choose to visit any of the above locations, have fun. We did, and we wish you the same.