Massai Point - Chiricahua National Monument

Massai Point is located at the end of Bonita Canyon Drive in Chiricahua National Monument. At an elevation of 6870 feet, it is more than 2000 feet above the surrounding grasslands. When the Turkey Creek volcano south of the monument erupted, it deposited hot ash that melted and coalesced into rhyolite. As the rhyolite cooled, it cracked vertically and horizontally. Untold years of wind, water and freeze/dry cycles have sculpted the remaining rhyolite into pinnacles and balanced rocks.

A short nature walk surrounds the parking area at the end of the road. While the nature trail is not accessible, wonderful views of the surrounding landscape are visible from a vehicle. In addition, an accessible trail or stairs lead to an exhibit building atop Massai Point. We stopped during our May 2015 visit to the monument.

Looking west from the parking area across Sulphur Springs Valley to the Dragoon Mountains

Looking north at Bonita Canyon Drive

Columns and more columns

Looking south toward the southern Chiricahua Mountains and the Coronado National Forest

Fins and columns

Looking northwest to Sugarloaf Mountain (7310')

Pinnacles below Sugarloaf Mountain

Split, but still standing

A tree struggles to survive above the rows of rocks

Exhibit building

Interior of the exhibit building

View to the south from the exhibit building

Note the observation building on Sugarloaf Mountain

Cochise Head - named after the chief of the Chiricahua Apaches

Harris Mountain (5632' with road), San Simon Valley and the Peloncillo Mountains

Higher peaks of the Chiricahua Mountains to the south

Dragoon Mountains (40 miles distant)

Leaning rocks

Eastern wall of the caldera of the Turkey Creek volcano

Dos Cabezas Peaks (8354', 22 miles)

Another look east at Harris Mountain

Entrance to Chiricahua National Monument is free.

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/chir/index.htm.