I hadn’t even heard of the Dragoon Mountains until I arrived at Cochise Stronghold Retreat. We drove up at night and couldn’t see a thing. It wasn’t until I looked out the first morning that I realized what a beautiful area we had happened upon.
We had booked the B&B as it was reasonably close to Chiricahua National Monument and figured it would make a great base for several days. But we didn’t appreciate that right out our back door were some incredible hikes in the Dragoon Mountains.
![Looking out at the Dragoon Mountains in the Cochise Stronghold](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Dragoon-Mountains-1-1.jpg)
The Cochise Indian Trail hike in the Dragoon Mountains
Before I describe the hike I should tell you a little about Cochise Stronghold. Considered to be one of Arizona’s “sky islands”, Cochise Stronghold is a premier destination for birding as well as hiking, rock-climbing and horseback riding.
The area served as a “natural fortress and hideout for the Apache Indians of the Chiricahua clan” – who were led by Cochise. He was born in these mountains and spent 12 years from 1860 – 1872 battling the US Cavalry.
He’s likely buried in them somewhere as well though rumour has it only one white man – his blood brother – knows of the burial spot and I’m sure that man is also long gone.
The hike itself climbs at a gentle grade for the first mile. In short order lichen-covered granite domes and pillars come into view. They are especially dramatic during the magic hour. It’s only three miles to the divide with a total elevation gain of about a thousand feet.
From the divide you can continue toward Cochise Stronghold West. On the day we visited the trail was snow-covered.
The extra two miles along this portion of the trail is far more isolated but reportedly offers views of fantastic rock gardens. Next time we’ll do it.
Here’s what a hike in the Dragoon Mountains looks like.
![Hiking in Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMGP0569hsrs1.jpg)
![Hiking in Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMGP0580hsrs.jpg)
![Hiking in Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMGP0587hsrs.jpg)
![Hiking in Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMGP0584hsrs.jpg)
![Cochise Stronghold hike in Arizona's Dragoon Mountains](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMGP0594hsrs.jpg)
![Hiking in the Dragoon Mpuntains of Arizona](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMGP0596hsrs.jpg)
![Cochise Stronghold hike in Arizona's Dragoon Mountains](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMGP0598hsrs.jpg)
![Cochise Stronghold hike in Arizona's Dragoon Mountains](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMGP0604hsrs.jpg)
![Cochise Stronghold hike in Arizona's Dragoon Mountains](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMGP0607hsrs-1.jpg)
![Mexican jay - Cochise Stronghold](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMGP0375hsrs.jpg)
For more information on the Dragoon Mountains check out the Visit Arizona website.
Further reading on Arizona
- The Camelback Mountain Hike in Phoenix, Arizona
- A Day Hike in Arizona’s Superstition Mountains
- Why you’ll want to do the Hike to Havasu Falls
- The Aravaipa Canyon Hike in Arizona
- 5 Fun Things to Do in Phoenix
Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.
![A stellar hike in the Dragoon Mountains of Arizona](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Dragoon__165.jpg)