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Unleash the Magic of Cochise County
Embark on guided hiking and motorized tours that will tantalize your curiosity and provide lifetime memories of adventure
Trails and Tales of Cochise County
Discover the Trails and Tales of Cochise County
Explore the rich history and natural beauty of Cochise County with our guided hiking and motorized tours. Our tours will take you through stunning landscapes, in the course of which our tour hosts will share with you the stories and legends of this beautiful part of this great state of Arizona. With over 35 tours, Trails and Tales will fire up your zest for life and satiate your yearning for adventure.
Reserve Your Trail to Adventure
THE BISBEE HISTORIC TOUR
THE BREWERY GULCH WALK
THE BREWERY GULCH WALK
$25
This walking tour starts in the heart of Old Town Bisbee at the junction of Tombstone Canyon and Zacatecas Canyon. It was near this spot that one of the world's largest copper strikes took place and through which thousands of miners trod back and forth to their up-canyon homes at the beginning and end of their twelve-hour shifts. It was not a coincidence that this location, just outside the miners' place of employment, soon acquired the name of Brewery Gulch and developed a reputation as one of the wildest places in the Southwest with a multitude of saloons, gambling establishments, opium dens and houses of ill repute.
Beginning with the copper claim filed by civilian tracker Jack Dunn in 1877 and continuing through the early 1900s, Bisbee became the largest and most prosperous town in Arizona. Like all old mining towns, Bisbee suffered many natural tragedies including, a 7.4 earthquake on May 3, 1887, 4 major fires, floods and disease resulting in substantial loss of property and life. Many other deaths resulted from the wild, reckless and dissolute lifestyles practiced by many Bisbee residents.
In the course of this tour, tour participants will learn about Bisbee from its very beginning when it was home to many of the 300,000 + Apache Indians that lived in Cochise County, its evolution from a mining camp of tents and shacks to a respectable city and the county seat for Cochise County, its changing morals and the impact of prohibition, and finally what happened to Bisbee after the mines closed in 1974.
This tour commences at 7:00a.m. Friday and Sunday of every week. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be treated to a brief introduction to the history of Bisbee. After that, tour participants will be guided up through Tombstone Canyon to the Bisbee Courthouse, ascend into the old Bisbee residential district and return through Zacatecas Canyon and Brewery Gulch. The tour length is approximately 1.5 miles. Approximate total time is 1.5 hours.
This not a ghost tour but, at the conclusion of the tour, tour participants will have a definite inkling as to why Bisbee is considered to be one of the most haunted venues in the Southwest.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
Click below to book your tour.
THE BREWERY GULCH WALK
THE BREWERY GULCH WALK
THE BREWERY GULCH WALK
$25
This stroll through time starts at the Grassy Park in front of the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum in Old Town Bisbee. It also ends there unless one chooses one of Bisbee's fine saloons as their final destination.
In the course of this tour, you will come to know not only the historical facts about why Bisbee became the largest and wealthiest city between St. Louis and San Francisco but, also intimate details about the lives and recreational proclivities of the men and women who circulated in the saloon and bordello districts. The tour is a historical tour which will cover what is commonly referred to as the Bisbee Noir period, that period of time between 1880 and 1915. Bisbee, back in the day, was not clean and neat like it appears today but, rather, was a sordid and seedy place with a multitude of saloons, gambling establishments, opium dens and brothels. This era of "wickedness" came to an end when Bisbee outlawed gambling and with prohibition.
With few exceptions, much of what existed during that time frame has been removed, torn down or repurposed. With that in mind, the tour concludes with an introduction to several of the present-day saloons which now satisfy the needs of adults for adult beverages.
This tour commences at 3:00 p.m. Thursday through Sunday of every week. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be treated to a brief introduction to the history of Bisbee. After the introduction, the tour will proceed up
Brewery Gulch.
This is not a ghost tour, but it is certainly a good way to become acquainted with the spirits of Bisbee. In addition, after learning about the wild and sometimes desperate lives and often tragic deaths of our Bisbee forebears, you will have a definite understanding as to why Bisbee is considered to be one of the wild West's most haunted towns.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE BISBEE PARANORMAL TOUR
THE BREWERY GULCH WALK
THE WAILING WOMAN OF ZACATECAS CANYON
$25
In the course of this walking tour through Old Town Bisbee, tour participants will learn why Bisbee has been featured on so many ghost adventure shows and why it has the reputation as being one of the most haunted places on earth.
Because you can't have ghost stories without tragic events and untimely deaths, your ghost host will begin the tour with a brief synopsis of Bisbee's meteoritic rise to becoming Arizona's largest, richest and rowdiest of towns and the personal catastrophes that accompanied such rise. Afterwards, and in the course of a leisurely stroll up Tombstone Canyon and back through Brewery Gulch, your ghost host will introduce you to the stories of the countless spirits in transition which continue to occupy and make their presence known in this part of the universe.
The stories which you will hear are all based upon copious amounts of anecdotal evidence which is added to daily. Bisbee is definitely not a dead ghost town.
Tour participants are encouraged to take many pictures and videos as documentary proof of the presence of these spirits. Your eyewitness accounts will be greatly appreciated.
This tour commences at 7:00 p.m. Thursday through Sunday of every week. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be treated to a brief introduction to the history of Bisbee. After the introduction the tour will proceed up through Tombstone Canyon and return through Brewery Gulch.
Parental discretion is recommended. Bisbee is not known to have nasty ghosts, but the stories about their earthly lives may include some adult material,
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE WAILING WOMAN OF ZACATECAS CANYON
THE WAILING WOMAN OF ZACATECAS CANYON
$25
This ghost tour which starts in Brewery Gulch and continues up through the step dams of Zacatecas Canyon focuses on the story of a young woman who as a result of an unrequited love decided to drown her sorrows, "literally", in one of the step dam's reservoirs. (Step dams were created in many of the mountain ravines surrounding Bisbee because of the flooding which ensued after the natural forests of the Mule Mountains were plundered by the early miners)
The ghost host will provide tour participants with the details of this tragic event and the manner in which the spirit of this woman continues to manifest itself in Zacatecas Canyon.
Tour participants will additionally learn about other supernatural events that continue to occur in Zacatecas Canyon.
On the way back from the reservoir, the tour will pass through what once was the Bisbee Cemetery and through what once was the Bisbee red light district where many soiled doves tragically took their own lives. As one might expect, these are places in which spirits in transition continue to dwell and make their presence known.
Tour participants are encouraged to take many pictures and videos as documentary proof of the presence of these spirits. Your eyewitness accounts will be greatly appreciated.
This tour commences at 5:00 p.m. Thursday through Sunday of every week. Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.)
Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be treated to a brief introduction to the history of Bisbee. After the introduction the tour will proceed up through Brewery Gulch to Zacatecas Canyon. The tour length is approximately 1.5 miles. Approximate total time is 1.5 hours.
Parental discretion is recommended. Bisbee is not known to have nasty ghosts, but the stories about their earthly lives may include some adult material,
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
Click below to book your tour.
The BISBEE art walk
$40
In this 6 mile approximately 2.5 - 3-hour stroll through Old Town Bisbee, tour participants will be introduced to the murals, mosaics and sculptures of some of the West's most creative and prolific artists. Plenty of time will be allocated for photographs and the tour leaders who are an accomplished artists in their own right will share stories about each artist, their influences and their approaches to the subject matter.
In addition to learning about known artists, tour participants will be exposed to the rich and ongoing proliferation of graffiti which adorns every nook and cranny of Bisbee and the art wall in Brewery Gulch.
This tour commences at 7:00a.m. Thursday and Saturday of every week. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be treated to a brief introduction to the history of Bisbee. After that, tour participants will be guided up through Tombstone Canyon to the Bisbee Courthouse, ascend into the old Bisbee residential district and return through Zacatecas Canyon and Brewery Gulch. The tour length is approximately 6 miles. Approximate total time is 2.5 - 3 hours.
Click on the picture to learn about the many artists who exhibit their work in Bisbee.
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The BISBEE GALLERY TOUR
$40
In this 1 mile approximately 2.5 - 3-hour stroll through Old Town Bisbee, tour participants will be introduced to six art galleries in which the paintings and other artwork of some of the West's most creative and prolific artists most of whom reside in Bisbee. Plenty of time will be allocated to view the artwork and meet some of the artists. The tour leaders who are accomplished artists in their own right will share stories about each artist, their influences and their approaches to the subject matter.
In addition to learning about known artists, tour participants will be exposed to the rich and ongoing proliferation of graffiti which adorns every nook and cranny of Bisbee and the art wall in Brewery Gulch.
This tour is scheduled Friday of every week. Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee at 2:00 p.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) where they will be treated to a brief introduction to the history of Bisbee. The tour length is approximately 1 mile. Approximate total time is 2.5 - 3 hours.
Click on the picture to learn about the many artists who exhibit their work in Bisbee.
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The Mule Paths of Bisbee aka The Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb
The Mule Paths of Bisbee aka The Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb
The Mule Paths of Bisbee aka The Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb
$25
Approximately 4.6 miles in length, this hike follows the same route as the Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb Race that takes place every third Saturday in October. The time to beat if one were racing this course is 28 minutes and 36 seconds. This hike, however, while being a moderate workout, is concerned more with introducing the tour participants to the culture and history of the city, allowing ample time to photograph our unique buildings and murals and, most importantly, savor Bisbee's laid-back approach to life.
This hike commences at 6:00a.m. Friday and Sunday of every week. Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be treated to a brief introduction to the history of Bisbee. The is about 4.6 miles in length and lasts about 2.5 hours.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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The Tombstone Canyon Loop
The Mule Paths of Bisbee aka The Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb
The Mule Paths of Bisbee aka The Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb
$25
This hike, in and around the City of Bisbee, Arizona is an extended version of the Mule Path hike. Like the Mule Paths of Bisbee, this hike starts at the Grassy Park in front of the Bisbee Mineralogical Museum, but it continues further up Zacatecas Canyon and proceeds upwards into the foothills of the Mule Mountains. Along the way, you will see what used to be miners' shacks, three open mineshafts. and grand vistas of the Lavendar Pit Mine and Old Town Bisbee.
Walking down Tombstone Canyon Road, tour participants will be regaled with further stories about the history of Bisbee, its status as the county seat and the interesting real-life stories that have made Bisbee more than just another quaint ghost town.
Hiking shoes and long pants are recommended. We will provide tour participants with walking sticks. Don't forget your camera.
This hike commences at 6:00a.m. Thursday and Saturday of every week. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be treated to a brief introduction to the history of Bisbee. The is about 4.2 miles in length and lasts about 2.5 hours.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE BISBEE CROSS SHRINE / BUDDHA CAVE
The Mule Paths of Bisbee aka The Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb
THE BISBEE CROSS SHRINE / BUDDHA CAVE
$25
The Bisbee Cross Shrine and the hike to it is a hidden gem of Bisbee that even Bisbee residents are often unaware of. Situated atop Youngblood hill, it is a shrine to many faiths and traditions and an inspiration to all.
The hike is about three miles round trip, starting from the downtown area where all of our hikes commence and end. The elevation change is about 600 feet, so you will do some climbing. It’s a little bit steep and rocky in places and requires moderate effort, but there are plenty of places to stop and rest. We recommend wearing hiking boots, trail shoes or sturdy athletic shoes at the least, and gloves. We will provide walking sticks. Once you reach the top, the view of Bisbee is incredible and there is room to spread out, walk around and take it all in.
Throughout this tour, tour participants will learn about the city of Bisbee and how this shrine came to be. On the way back, we will stop at the Buddhist Cave, another secret of Bisbee which, also, celebrates the spirituality of many faiths.
This hike commences at 1:00 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays of every week. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be treated to a brief introduction to the history of Bisbee. The is about 3 miles in length and lasts about 2.0 hours.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE GLEESON HISTORICAL TOUR
THE GLEESON PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE TOUR
THE BISBEE CROSS SHRINE / BUDDHA CAVE
$175
This motorized tour starts in Old Bisbee and continues approximately 25 miles North along State Route 80 to the wild west town of Tombstone, Arizona after which it proceeds an additional 16 miles Northeast along Gleeson Road to the ghost town of Gleeson, Arizona.
Gleeson, like many old mining towns, was abandoned in 1939 after its mining operations terminated. Nevertheless, Gleeson had a guardian angel and is presently maintained and owned in its entirety by Joe Bono who was born in Gleeson in 1948.
In 1890's, a miner named John Gleeson began prospecting in what was initially called the Turquoise Area of the Dragoon Mountains. It was called Turquoise because of the abundance of turquoise, an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum, prized by the native Americans. Finding large deposits of copper, John Gleeson soon filed several claims and opened the Copper Belle Mine. More miners quickly flooded into the area, and new mines with names like Silver Belle, Brother Jonathan, Defiance, and Pejon also sprouted up. On October 15, 1900, the post office opened, supporting a population of about 500, almost all working in the mines.
Gleeson and its residents, like many of the early mining towns suffered many tragedies, some natural like fire, floods and disease, and some man-made such as those resulting from the unscrupulous conduct and disregard of the mine owners for the welfare of its employees and those resulting from the reckless and lawless behavior and lifestyles of the people who inhabited Gleeson and the surrounding mining towns.
In this tour, participants will visit and be regaled with stories about the Gleeson Jail which still stands in its former glory, the schoolhouse, the general store, which was owned by Joe Bono's father, the old oak tree which was used to hang many convicted criminals and subjects of vigilante justice, the hospital at which many miners ultimately died from their mining injuries and/or loss of limbs, the trailer which was the site of horrific crimes committed against two your women, the Hudson murder and the Gleeson Cemetery. Tour participants will also visit the site of the largest Gleeson mine, the Copper Belle Mine, which is about 400 feet deep and view the equipment which was used to lower miners into the mine and haul out the ore.
Be sure to bring sunscreen. There is a ton of memorabilia at the jail so be prepared to take plenty of photographs. Day packs, water and snack will be provided.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 8:00 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be transported to and from the tour sites. Approximate total time including transportation is 7 - 8 hours.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE GLEESON PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE TOUR
THE GLEESON PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE TOUR
THE GLEESON PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE TOUR
$175
This tour is very similar to the Gleeson Historical Tour except that the emphasis will be focused on the many tragedies suffered by the miners, the outlaws and their victims, and the ordinary residents of Gleeson. In the course of this tour, tour participants will visit the scenes of these many tragedies and be regaled with the stories of the lives (and deaths) of these early inhabitants of Gleeson.
Each tour participant will be outfitted with an emf detector, a device utilized by many professional ghost hunters to alert them to the presence of spirits in transition and other paranormal activity. Day packs, water and snack will also be provided.
Tour participants are encouraged to take many pictures and videos as documentary proof of the presence of these spirits. Your eyewitness accounts will be greatly appreciated.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 3:00 a.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be transported to and from the tour sites. Approximate total time including transportation is 7 - 8 hours.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE SAND PEDRO RIVER WALK
THE GLEESON PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE TOUR
THE GLEESON PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE TOUR
$40
This short walk, approximately 1 mile in length, is along the shores of the San Pedro River during the cool early morning hours when the sun is just peeking over the Mule Mountains. The San Pedro River starts in Mexico and flows North up to Kearny, Arizona where it meets with the Gila River. The San Pedro River has been described as one of America's last great waterways.
During this walk, tour participants will experience the freshness of nature and be treated to the sights and sounds of whippoorwills, frogs and other birds and wildlife as they emerge for their daily routines. Although it is highly unlikely to see a beaver, the presence of such animal will be evident from the presence of half chewed and fallen trees and beaver dams.
One can't help but experience feeling in awe as one passes amidst stands of cottonwood trees which have just leafed out, some of which are well in excess of 100 years in age and have trunks in excess of 20 feet in diameter. The tour guide will point out and identify other flora such as manzanita, oak, agave, desert spoon, desert broom, prickle poppies, sacred datura and other local plants.
This a great time to savor the natural world as it has existed since the beginning of time. There will be opportunities to sit along the way and take it all in. There will also be many opportunities to take pictures and videos.
Tour size is limited to six people. The start time is adjusted weekly to make sure that tour participants get the optimum experience.
Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee. (Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time) Approximate total time, including travel time is 2.5 hours. Hiking shoes and long pants are recommended.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE MURAL PEAK OVERLOOK
$75
Approximately 7.5 miles in length, this up and down and out and back hike proceeds up Zacatecas Canyon to the top of Mural Peak where one is rewarded with fantastic views of Bisbee, the Phelps Dodge Mine and Sonora Mexico. Along the way you will see a town that looks much the way it did in the early 1900's with its miners' shacks perched on steep mountain slopes and the beautiful flora of this high desert country.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 5:00 a.m., 5/1 - 8/31 and 7:00 am, 9/1 - 4/30 Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee. Approximate total time is 5 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some loose rock may be encountered.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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the ascent to ballard peak
$75
This short (less than 4 miles), but very steep hike to the top of Ballard Peak, the highest peak in the Mule Mountains (7,374' above sea level), is quite a workout, but worth the effort. The views of Old Town Bisbee, Warren and Naco, the surrounding Mule Mountains, Banning Canyon, the San Pedro River Valley, San Jose Peak in Sonora Mexico, the Copper Queen Mine, the Huachuca Mountains are fantastic.
The trail proceeds through dense forests of Arizona pinon pine, alligator juniper, mountain mahogany, cholla cactus, manzanita and oaks of several species. Don't forget abundant agave, desert spoon, buffalo grass, prickly pear and hedgehog cactus.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 5:00 a.m. ,5/1 - 8/31 and 7:00 am, 9/1 - 4/30 Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee and be transported to the trailhead. Approximate total time including transportation is 5 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some loose rock may be encountered.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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SPELUNKING CORONADO CAVE
THE GHOST TOWNS OF THE SAN PEDRO RIVER
$40
A hike of approximately 1 mile in length, out and back, with an elevation gain of 500 feet will take you to Coronado Cave. This cave may have been used by humans as a shelter and hideout by middle archaic people (up to 8000 years ago) and more recently by the Chiricahua Apache. Mexicans, European miners, and settlers may also have used the cave. The cave is now one of the few open, undeveloped caves in southern Arizona. Coronado Cave is a large cavern 600 feet long and in most places about 70 feet wide.
Tour participants will be outfitted with day packs and water and snacks and a head lamp. It is recommended that tour participants wear long pants and hiking shoes.
Tour participants will meet at 10 a.m. at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be transported to and from the cave trailhead. Approximate total time including transportation 2.5 hours. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.)
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE GHOST TOWNS OF THE SAN PEDRO RIVER
THE GHOST TOWNS OF THE SAN PEDRO RIVER
$125
The Cochise County "ghost" towns of Tombstone and Bisbee are fantastic tourist destination spots. In both towns, tourists are regularly regaled with stories about how the discovery of silver at Goose Flats by Ed Schieffelin in 1879 briefly made Tombstone Arizona's largest, most prosperous and rowdy city and how, not long afterwards, the discovery of copper by Jack Dunn at Apache Springs briefly made Bisbee Arizona's largest, most prosperous and rowdy city.
The truth of the matter is that neither Tombstone nor Bisbee would have achieved their legendary prosperity were it not for the towns of Charleston, Millville and Fairbank located along the San Pedro River. All of these towns contributed to the wealth of Tombstone and Bisbee due to their proximity to a reliable source of water which enabled the steam empowerment of the stamp mills which smelted the ores and the establishment of a rail depot at Fairbank which facilitated the import of mining equipment, the settlement of this remote part of the country and the export of metal and ore.
This motorized tour will take tour participants to three separate locations, each of which will feature short walks / hikes, where tour participants will see the preserved remains of these towns. At Millville, Tour participants will, also, see Indian petroglyphs dating back into the 15th century.
Tours will be conducted by knowledgeable historians of the Southwest who will bring the historical context of these sites together and regale you with stories about the colorful lives and pursuits of the people who lived here. Tour participants will soon learn that there is a lot more to this part of the state than the Earp brothers and the gunfight at the OK Corral.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 8:00 a.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee and be transported to the trailhead. Approximate total time including transportation is 5 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE CHIRICAHUA hoodooS
$175
This tour initially heads to the Chiricahua National Monument and a moderate 7.5-mile hike along the Echo Canyon / Heart of Rocks loop, which includes the Ed Riggs, Mushroom Rock, Big Balanced Rock, Heart of Rocks, Sarah Deming, Upper Rhyolite Canyon and Echo Canyon trails.
In this hike, tour participants will see some of the most spectacular rock formations one can imagine. This hike can be done in 3 hours, but we prefer to give it a little more time due to the unforgettable views.
Along the way to the trailhead, the tour bus will stop frequently for photo ops.
On the way back to Bisbee, we will head to Turkey Creek where you will learn the true story of cattle rustler, outlaw and gunslinger Johnny Ringo and see the very spot when he met his unfortunate and untimely end as well as his final resting place.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 7:00 a.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee and be transported to the trailhead. Approximate total time including transportation is 8 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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the chiricahua / cave creek loop
$225
This tour initially heads to the Chiricahua National Monument and a moderate 3.4-mile hike along the Echo Canyon loop which includes the Echo Canyon, Hailstone, and Ed Riggs trails. The Echo Canyon trail descends 400 feet through spectacular rock formations. It is a wonder of engineering constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The Hailstone Trail is almost level with sweeping views of the Wonderland of Rocks. Desert yucca, agave, and cactus are abundant on Hailstone's sunny southern exposure. The Ed Riggs Trail climbs back up 400 feet to the starting location at Massai Point. This hike can be done in 2 hours, but we prefer to give it a little more time due to the unforgettable views.
Along the way to the trailhead, the tour bus will stop frequently for photo ops.
After this hike and a short break at the visitor center, we will follow the 4-wheel drive trail over the spine of the Chiricahua Mountains to Cave Creek Canyon. Cave Creek Canyon which is commonly referred to as the "Yosemite" of Arizona is endowed with magnificent scenery and unparalleled biodiversity. Birding is fine here year-round but is especially rewarding in the spring and summer.
After a short break for lunch on your own at the Portal Peak Lodge Store & Cafe, we will visit the Chiricahua Desert Museum which is located in the miniscule town of Rodeo, New Mexico. This museum is probably one of the West's best kept secrets. In addition to its immense collection of artwork and artifacts, it includes a living assortment of reptiles including a collection of over 34 species of rattlesnakes, seven species of lizards (including a Gila monster, beaded lizard, Baja California rock lizard, and four kinds of alligator lizards), plus seven species of turtles.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 6:00 a.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee and be transported to the trailhead. Approximate total time including transportation is 10 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.
This a lot to do in 10 hours, but we hope that next time you come to Bisbee, you will stay at least a week and possibly book an overnight camping adventure with us.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE SANDHILL CRANES OF WHITEWATER DRAW
THE SANDHILL CRANES OF WHITEWATER DRAW
THE SANDHILL CRANES OF WHITEWATER DRAW
$40
Enjoy a motorized tour to Whitewater Draw, a wetland with patches of riparian habitat approximately 30 miles North of Bisbee. At Whitewater Draw, you will witness the annual migration of the Sandhill Cranes and other bird species such as red winged and yellow headed blackbirds, Mexican ducks, mallards, pintails, plovers and many more. Red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, barn owls, cooper’s hawks, American kestrels, ferruginous hawks, great horned owls, bald eagles, and golden eagles have also been observed there.
This is a tour for all ages and young people are especially welcome. The tour begins and ends at the Grassy Park in front of the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum in Old Town Bisbee at 5:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays of every week and lasts about 2.5 hours including transportation time. This tour is only available during the annual migration time which begins in October and continues through the end of March of each year.
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THE BROWN CANYON RANCH LOOP
THE BROWN CANYON, HAMBURG TRAIL, RAMSEY CANYON LOOP
THE BROWN CANYON, HAMBURG TRAIL, RAMSEY CANYON LOOP
$100
This hike starts at the historic Brown Canyon Ranch which lies in the foothills of the Huachuca Mountains. Step back in time to see how ranchers lived back in the early days of our State, proceed up Brown Canyon to the spring box and loop over the ridge of Ramsey Canyon and down into Nature Preserve. This hike is approximately 5.4 miles in length with an elevation gain of 740 feet.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 6:00 a.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee and be transported to the trailhead. Approximate total time including transportation is 4 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE BROWN CANYON, HAMBURG TRAIL, RAMSEY CANYON LOOP
THE BROWN CANYON, HAMBURG TRAIL, RAMSEY CANYON LOOP
THE BROWN CANYON, HAMBURG TRAIL, RAMSEY CANYON LOOP
$125
This hike, which is an extended version of the Brown Canyon Loop (approximately 8.5 miles), continues up Brown Canyon and over the ridge where the trail descends into the lush and scenic Ramsey Canyon where it follows Ramsey Creek. Thereafter the trail ascends the other side of Ramsey Canyon and ends in the Ramsey Canyon Nature Preserve.
Bring your camera and binoculars' because this is one of the most beautiful places in the state of Arizona. In addition to majestic mountains and cliffs, expect to see many species of birds, wild turkey, deer, javelina, coyotes and maybe a coatimundi.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 6:00 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee and be transported to the trailhead. Approximate total time including transportation is 6 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE ASCENT TO bear saddle
THE BROWN CANYON, HAMBURG TRAIL, RAMSEY CANYON LOOP
THE ASCENT TO bear saddle
$175
This hike which is approximately 11.5 miles in length round trip begins on Ramsey Canyon Road, proceeds through the Ramsey Canyon Nature Preserve to the Ramsey Canyon Overlook and then down into Ramsey Canyon where one follows Ramsey Creek up to Bear Saddle.
In the course of this hike, you will initially pass through mixed groves of cottonwood, sycamore, oak and maple trees with manzanita and then, as the altitude increases, towering ponderosa, Apache, Chiricahua and Arizona pines and firs. You will also see evidence of mining activity.
Inasmuch as the hike starts early, you are likely to see and hear wild turkey, deer, javelina, coyote, hawks, crows, Mexican bluejays and many other birds that migrate though this area.
You may even see coatimundi.
Bring your camera and binoculars' because this is one of the most beautiful places in the state of Arizona.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 5:00 a.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee and be transported to the trailhead. Approximate total time including transportation is 8 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.
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THE ASCENT TO CARR PEAK
Joe's Canyon Trail to Coronado Peak and the Mexican border
THE ASCENT TO bear saddle
$175
Carr Peak, just South of Sierra Vista, Arizona, at 9,229 feet above sea level, provides some of the most awesome views available in this part of Cochise County.
Tour participants will be transported from Bisbee to the mouth of Carr Canyon where they will experience a remarkably scenic ride via narrow jeep trails from the high desert of the San Pedro River Valley to the pine forests of the Reef Townsite where the hike begins. The trail is an up and down hike of 8 miles round trip with an elevation gain of approximately 2,000 feet. Numerous switchbacks lead the hike through a variety of forest types including oaks, ponderosa pines, junipers, manzanita and aspens. In the summer, one will see the raspberry patches which are popular with bears and at the summit observe the annual migration of ladybugs and monarch butterflies.
In addition to the hike, the tour participants will along the jeep trail explore the Carr House ruins, pause at the Carr Falls overlook, see an old mine shaft and view the rugged Ramsey Canyon from Ramsey Vista.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 5:00 a.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee and be transported to the trailhead. Approximate total time including transportation is 8 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE MINES OF LUTZ CANYON
Joe's Canyon Trail to Coronado Peak and the Mexican border
Joe's Canyon Trail to Coronado Peak and the Mexican border
$125
Lutz Canyon is a deep, narrow canyon which offers hikers great views of the San Pedro River Valley, the Mule Mountains and San Jose Peak which is South of the border in Sonora, Mexico. It leads into one of the most heavily mined areas of the Huachuca Mountain Range.
The trail follows an old mining road for much of its length as it climbs into a canyon which reputedly has been the site of prospecting activity since Spanish explorers visited the area in the mid-16th century. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mining activity in Lutz Canyon reached a peak. It then tapered off and came to an end, for all purposes, by the 1950’s. The remnants of Lutz Canyon’s mining days are now preserved within the boundaries of the Miller Peak Wilderness area and the equipment that was abandoned there serves as a point of interest for travelers along this Wilderness trail.
The Lutz Canyon Trail winds through trailside vegetation that varies from pine-oak forest in lower elevations to magnificent stands of Douglas-fir higher up. Along higher reaches of the trail, views expand to reach across the San Pedro Valley into Mexico. Along the trail, hikers will see the remains of three mines. The tour terminates at the Black Bear Mine at which time we will head back to the trailhead.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 6:00 a.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee and be transported to the trailhead. Approximate total time including transportation is 6 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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Joe's Canyon Trail to Coronado Peak and the Mexican border
Joe's Canyon Trail to Coronado Peak and the Mexican border
Joe's Canyon Trail to Coronado Peak and the Mexican border
$125
Enjoy this moderate hike with a length approximately 9 miles and elevation gain of 1,300'. This up and down, out and back hike rises from the visitor center of the Coronado National Monument and proceeds up Joe's Canyon to Coronado Peak. From Coronado Peak one can to the South look into Sonora Mexico and to the North see the broad expanse of the San Pedro River Valley.
This hike includes a short detour which takes us down to the barbed wire fence border separating the United States from México. Thís is a great photo opportunity to stand with the obelisk memorializing the 1853 treaty between the United States and Mexico.
This is a great hike because it goes through 3 different plant zones. and provides a great opportunity to see white tailed coos deer which are exclusive to this area along with javelina and maybe a black bear. Birders will also be amply rewarded.
This area is notable for being the intersection of several geologic zones and consequent variety of rock types.
Among other things, the hike proceeds through areas of limestone deposits in which one will see many fossils of the marine life which existed when shallow seas covered Arizona 311-290 million years ago.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 6:00 a.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee and be transported to the trailhead. Approximate total time including transportation is 6 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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The Crest Trail from Monument Pass to Miller Peak
Cochise Stronghold at the Dragoon Mountains
Cochise Stronghold at the Dragoon Mountains
$175
If you want to start the year with a kick ass hike, I recommend the Arizona Crest Trail from Monument Pass to Miller Peak and back. Although this hike is only 10 miles round trip with a measly elevation gain of 3,000 feet, it will, nevertheless, get your attention. Additionally, located in one of the least despoiled areas in Cochise County, its rugged mountain views are majestic, particularly in the early morning sun.
Along the trail, you will pass three mines dating back to late 1800s and early 1900s. Don't forget to bring your camera. You may also see wildlife.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 6:00 a.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee and be transported to the trailhead. Approximate total time including transportation is 6 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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Cochise Stronghold at the Dragoon Mountains
Cochise Stronghold at the Dragoon Mountains
Cochise Stronghold at the Dragoon Mountains
$175
In this tour, tour participants will be transported through Tombstone to the base of the Dragoon Mountains where they will follow a rugged jeep trail to the Cochise Stronghold trailhead. In this out and back hike (approximately 10 miles in length with an elevation gain of 1,100 feet each way), the hiker will see and experience a back country playground of towering pink granite domes with a multitudinous display of cracks, slabs, steep plates and faces.
Along the way to the trailhead, tour participants will see native American rock art and the place where the Indian leader, Cochise, in 1872 finally made peace with the US government, and Council Rocks.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 5:00 a.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee and be transported to the trailhead. Approximate total time including transportation is 8 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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EXPLORING LOWELL AND WARREN
Cochise Stronghold at the Dragoon Mountains
EXPLORING LOWELL AND WARREN
$125
In this motorized tour, we will first view the Lavendar Pit where the tour guide will tell you about the history of mining in Bisbee and the evolution from smelting to the electrochemical process of separating the copper from the ore.
After that, we will visit Erie Street in the ghost town of Lowell which is home to a plethora of vintage cars. Lowell is also the home of the first Bisbee Breakfast Club. Here, also, the tour host will explain why the thriving community of Lowell was abandoned and why it is now in jeopardy of being permanently closed.
After that we will visit the Shady Dell to tour its vintage motor homes and cars.
After Lowell, we will visit the Bisbee suburb of Warren which has the distinction of being Arizona's first planned community. Although there were mines operating in the vicinity, Warren was primarily designed as a bedroom community for the more affluent citizens of the mining district. It was named after legendary George Warren, one of the first people to stake a copper claim in the Mule Mountains and whose image graces the Arizona State Seal.
If the tour is scheduled on Saturday, we will take a break at the Bisbee Farmers Market, always a lively event.
The tour will proceed through the Warren mural district and, among other things, visit Sorted Past, an antiques and oddities shop, which commissioned a surreal vision of the world by muralist Bill Mead. Next door is the Bisbee Skate Park which has a phenomenal display of graffiti art.
Lastly, we will visit the Evergreen Cemetery where the sometimes-colorful residents of Bisbee now rest in the peace.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 9:00 a.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be transported to and from the tour sites. Approximate total time including transportation is 5 hours.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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DAY TRIP TO DOUGLAS
EXPLORING AGUA PRIETA, SONORA, MEXICO
EXPLORING LOWELL AND WARREN
$175
In this motorized daytrip, tour participants will be transported to the historic border town of Douglas, Arizona.
Douglas was founded in the early 1900's to meet the smelting demands of the Bisbee Copper Queen Mine. but, this town, like Bisbee, suffered after the Phelps Dodge Mining Company terminated its Bisbee mining operations in the 1970s. Unlike Bisbee which then evolved into a booming tourist mecca, Douglas maintained its small-town residential character. Not to say, however, that there isn't a lot to see and do in Douglas.
This tour begins at the Slaughter Ranch, home of the famous Texas John Slaughter, both a working facility and a museum to Arizona's ranching history.
After that, the tour will visit the Gadsden Hotel, one of the most ornate hotels in all of Arizona. At the Gadsen, tour participants will be regaled with stories recounting how Pancho Villa rode his horse up the steps of the hotel's marble staircase in the course of the Mexican Revolution, the speakeasy that existed during prohibition, the ghost that haunts Room 333 and the experiences of notable Americans such as Thornton Wilder and Johnny Depp.
After a short break for street tacos and/or Sonoran hot dogs at the Douglas City Park, tour participants will enjoy a guided tour at the Art Car World Museum.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 8:00 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be transported to and from the tour sites. Approximate total time including transportation is 7 - 8 hours.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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EXPLORING AGUA PRIETA, SONORA, MEXICO
EXPLORING AGUA PRIETA, SONORA, MEXICO
EXPLORING AGUA PRIETA, SONORA, MEXICO
$175
In this motorized daytrip, tour participants will be transported to the Mexican border town of Agua Prieta which is directly South of the Arizona city of Douglas.
In this tour, the tour participants will be regaled with stories of the Mexican Revolution and Pancho Villa's incursion into the United States, visit a maquiladora, a Mexican factory which provides goods to the United States, learn about the impact of the border wall on immigration and the local efforts of the Mexican cartel to smuggle illegal drugs into the United States. Tour participants will also have the opportunity to sample Mexican cuisine and buy Mexican souvenirs. A passport is not required, just a driver's license. Firearms are not permitted.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 8:00 a.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be transported to and from the tour sites. Approximate total time including transportation is 7 - 8 hours.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE VINEYARDS OF COCHISE COUNTY
THE VINEYARDS OF COCHISE COUNTY
THE VINEYARDS OF COCHISE COUNTY
$175
Cochise County, Arizona produces a wide variety of wines, including:
- Red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Sangiovese, Corvina, Tannat, and Cabernet Franc
- White wines: Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Malvasia Bianca
- Other wines: Viognier, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, and dessert wines.
This motorized tour consists of two separate daily tours which can be purchased individually or as a package. One tour takes the tour participants to four different wineries that exist in the Western part of Cochise County along the border with and partially in Santa Cruz County. The other tour heads North to the Wilcox area for another four wineries.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour dated. The tour commences at 8:00 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be transported to and from the tour sites. Approximate total time of each tour including transportation is 7 - 8 hours.
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the LAND BEFORE TIME TOUR
THE VINEYARDS OF COCHISE COUNTY
THE VINEYARDS OF COCHISE COUNTY
$175
Cochise County with its 48 registered paleontological sites has become one of the nation's most important sources of prehistoric information. In addition to its 48 registered sites, there are many more known sites in Cochise County which have yet to be fully excavated.
Arizona, as a result of its geologic history extending over hundreds of millions of years, is now literally a hotbed of paleontological information with frequent new findings. Every wash, every new road cut, every new tunnel, every new housing development and every other incursion into our earth's crust has the potential for new finds.
This tour begins with the Lehner Mammoth-Kill Site along the San Pedro River near Sierra Vista, Arizona. In 1952, Ed Lehner discovered extinct mammoth bone fragments on his ranch, at the locality now known as the Lehner Mammoth-Kill Site. He notified the Arizona State Museum, and a summer of heavy rains in 1955 exposed more bones. Excavations, led by William W. Wasley and Emil Haury, took place in 1955–56, and again in 1974–75. In the initial effort, thirteen fluted projective points. with 2 damaged, and 8 stone tools were found as well as 9 mammoth remains, one bison, a horse, and a tapir. The site is significant for its association with evidence that mammoths were killed there by native Americans existing 11,000 to 12,000 years ago. The site has not been fully excavated, and each monsoon season harbors the potential for new discoveries. The tour guide will more fully describe the history of the site and point out the areas in which more artifacts may be found. If you're into conspiracies, your curiosity will be piqued by the story of how the above artifacts simply disappeared from the repository in Tucson. Please note that it is illegal to remove artifacts from any legally protected site such as this.
The next site is approximately 80 miles to the North near the small town of Cascabel. There, the tour proceeds three miles up a sandy wash to a rock ledge which bears the footprints of a herd of brontotheres, rhino like creatures which existed 33.9 million years ago. These footprints are very well preserved and, in addition to the educational value, provide great photo opportunities for young children to walk in the footsteps of a giant extinct beast. (Though old, these animals, also known as thunder beasts due to their large size, were mammals, not like dinosaurs which were reptiles)
Throughout the motorized portion of the tour, the tour guide will point out the many other places in which fossil specimens have been found in Cochise County and the history of each.
As an added bonus, the tour will stop at the movie set town of Gammons Gulch which has hosted over 65 film productions. Spanning 10 acres, this meticulously crafted Old West town offers a glimpse into the bygone era of cowboys, gunslingers, and saloons. The property features 17 historic buildings relocated from various ghost towns
As the tour passes through Benson on the way back, the tour will stop at R & R Pizza for its daily salad / pizza buffet. Lunch is on your own and not included in the tour.
The final stop is the Southern Arizona Museum of Science and Technology in Sierra Vista where the curator, a paleontologist will give a hands-on tour of the various fossil specimens which he has accumulated.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 7:00 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be transported to and from the tour sites. Approximate total time including transportation is 8 - 9 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
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THE FOSSIL EXPLORATION TOUR
THE VINEYARDS OF COCHISE COUNTY
THE FOSSIL EXPLORATION TOUR
$150
Almost everywhere one goes in Cochise County, there is evidence of the geologic past. Some places are, however, better than others. In this expedition into the Whetstone Mountains North of Sierra Vista, you are guaranteed to find to find fossils of ancient marine life and petrified wood. It's also possible that you may find a dinosaur fossil. Not likely, however, because these mountains which are also home to the Kartchner Caverns, have already been scoured by many professional and amateur paleontologists.
While at the site, the tour guide will direct your attention to the location at which world's first and only sonorasaurus find was made. A sonorasaurus is a type of dinosaur which existed from around 112 to 93 million years ago. Its fossilized remains were discovered in November 1994 by geology student Richard Thompson in the same Whetstone Mountains in which you will be digging. Thompson, in the course of investigating a previously almost unexplored region, where fossils proved to be plentiful and directly accessible on the surface, found a relatively complete skeleton of the sonorasaurus which was weathering out on a rock wall.
The sonorasaurus is estimated to have been about 15 meters (49 feet) long, 8 meters (26 feet) tall, and weighed 10 metric tons (11 short tons). Despite numerous efforts, the head has not been found. The sonorasaursus has been adopted by the State of Arizona as its official state dinosaur.
Each tour participant will, in addition to a backpack, water and snacks, be provided with a fossil hammer, a pick, measuring ruler and bucket to carry their finds in.
On the way back to Bisbee, tour participants will receive a personal tour of the Southern Arizona Museum of Science and Technology which is located at the Sierra Vista Mall. In such tour, each participant will be able to see and touch many of the fossils which have been found in our state. Tour participants can get lunch on their own at the food court.
This tour is by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations are made prior to the tour date. The tour commences at 7:00 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be transported to and from the tour sites. Approximate total time including transportation is 6 - 7 hours.
Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.
Click on the picture to learn more about the tour and view photographs and videos taken by our team and tour participants.
Click below to book your tour.