This hiking paradise of rocks left me feeling inadequate. Something about the vast number of enormous towering spires of hard rock made me feel like a tired old man. Sure, the view of any one of these mighty columns pointing skyward for ages is impressive, and the variety of sizes, shapes and textures of these huge protruding knobs is remarkable, but the well-endowed phallus-shaped columns left me feeling cold and small by comparison. On the other hand, a bevy of older ladies were very excited and pleased to view the tall and stout structures from Massai Point Nature Trail, as they laughed and reminisced about their youth.

One would be remiss for not explaining that the Chiricahua are the tribe of the Apache Chief Cochise and the feared raider Geronimo, who conducted guerrilla warfare against the US in this territory. For 24 years, the Apache skirmished with and hid from the US Cavalry, attacking stagecoaches, wagons, Mexico and even Union troops in 1862. The rugged and remote territory (below) shows the difficulty the US had in tracking them down. Eventually both were forced onto reservations. 

Click to see my photos of all national park units in Arizona.