Cochise Stronghold

Trail Overview

The trail is wide and maintained, though often corrugated, and crosses several cattle guards as it leads to two main camping areas. The first is located in the foothills and is spacious and popular with campers. The second is set in a forested area surrounded by rocky outcrops, featuring paved campsites, benches, and fire rings. This campground also includes vault toilets with wheelchair access and trash disposal, but no water is available. Along the trail, there are several attractive private residences, and the area remains cool and shaded. A few cabins can also be rented through the Coronado National Forest Service.

Photos of Cochise Stronghold

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Difficulty

This is an easy-going graded and well-maintained trail.

History

Cochise Stronghold is a rugged and historically rich area in the Dragoon Mountains of southeastern Arizona. It served as the natural fortress and refuge of the Chiricahua Apache leader Cochise and his people during their resistance against U.S. military forces in the mid-to late 19th century. Natural Fortress: The stronghold's maze of granite boulders, steep canyons, and dense oak and juniper forest made it nearly impenetrable to outsiders. Cochise and his band used its natural defenses to evade and resist U.S. troops for more than a decade.Cochise and the Apache Wars: Cochise was a leader of the Chokonen band of the Chiricahua Apache. After being falsely accused of kidnapping and raiding in 1861--a confrontation that led to the Bascom Affair--Cochise began a prolonged conflict with the U.S. Army, known as the Apache Wars. Peace Agreement: In 1872, General Oliver O. Howard and scout Tom Jeffords negotiated a peace agreement with Cochise, who agreed to settle on a reservation in the Chiricahua Mountains. Jeffords became the Indian agent for the reservation, one of the few such arrangements based on mutual respect. Final Resting Place: When Cochise died in 1874, he was buried somewhere in the Stronghold, but the exact location of his grave remains a secret, known only to his close followers.

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