Our May 2015 stop at Chiricahua National Monument continued with a drive up Bonita Canyon Drive. The monument is called "A Wonderland of Rocks" and the drive along the eight mile road proved it. Starting at an elevation of 5400' at the visitor center, the road climbs to 6870' at Massai Point. With the surrounding terrain averaging less than 4500' and peaks to the south in the Coronado National Forest reaching over 9600', the monument is also home to plant and animal species typically found far north of this location less than 50 miles from Mexico. With only a very limited number of pullouts, the photo opportunities along the road are somewhat limited.
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| Rock outcrops abound in the monument |
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| Part of the Organ Pipes formation |
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| Another rugged sheer face |
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| The formations tower over the road |
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| The now politically incorrect China Boy formation |
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| Formations seen from the Sea Captain pullout |
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| "Frog eyes" seem to peer over the left formation |
Entrance to Chiricahua National Monument is free.
The park website is http://www.nps.gov/chir/index.htm.
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