East Stronghold  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  135,751. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Greg Opland, James DeRoussel, JJ Schlick, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Geir on Feb 16, 2012 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 95° | 64° 99° | 68° 99° | 66° 97° | 64° 97° | 64°

BETA PHOTO: On the way back to Cochise... Photo 12/25 by Tony ...

Description 

The East Stronghold is accessed from Dragoon Road (exit 318 from I-10). It includes a number of excellent climbing areas, the most impressive of which is the Rockfellow Group. Note that much of this area is subject to seasonal closures. These closures have been detailed on the main page for Cochise. Please respect the closures.

A Google Earth .kmz file with an overhead of the East Stronghold can be downloaded at this address:

www.geir.com/googleearth/stronghold/east/overview.kmz

Access to this area is a privilege. Be a good steward of Cochise Stronghold by keeping the Leave No Trace principles in mind when visiting here. Below is a partial list of these principles and how they might be applied in the Stronghold. For further information, visit www.lnt.org.

1) Travel and camp on durable surfaces. Stay on trails and avoid damaging surface vegetation. Use established campsites.

2) Dispose of waste properly. Pack out litter. Dispose of human waste in a cathole at least 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet away from water. Do not leave toilet paper out in the wilderness.

3) Leave what you find. Leave rocks, plants, archaeological artifacts and other objects as found.

4) Minimize use and impact of fire. If a campfire is constructed use existing fire rings. Do not cut down trees for firewood. Ensure campfires are completely extinguished before leaving.

5) Respect wildlife. If enough people approach or interfere with wildlife, it can be disruptive to animal populations.

6) Be considerate of other visitors. Many other people enjoy the area, including bird watchers, hikers, and horseback riders. They have as much right to be there as climbers.

Getting There 

From Tucson take I-10 east to exit 318.

Take exit 318 and turn right. Head east 3.5 miles to Dragoon.

Cross the railroad tracks and continue on Dragoon Road 7.3 miles.

Turn right on Cochise Stronghold Road. Follow this road for 6 miles.

Turn right on to Ironwood Road.

Follow Ironwood road for 2.7 miles.

At this point you will be at the turnoff for Entrance dome, Batline Dome, Zappa Wall, Owl Rock, the Wasteland, Out of Towners, and Out of Downers. Numerous free primitive campsites are in this area.

Continue .9 miles to the East Side Campground (fee area) and the approach to the other East Side areas.

Note that Ironwood becomes a dirt road but is passable by passenger cars except for after severe rains when the washes can be flowing.

The Classics

Featured Route For East Stronghold

The Wasteland 5.8  AZ : Cochise Stronghold : ... : The Wasteland

A great climb. Make sure you are comfortable slinging chickenheads & plates and belaying off of slung chickenheads before attempting this route. P1: Climb the face up and left to a small arch (usually with webbing on it), sling the arch, then head up and right to a belay ledge. P2: Traverse right to the crack/groove and follow it up to a nice belay below short chimney. P3: Climb up and left through the chimney and exit left on top of the small tower, then step across chimney to the main wall...[more]   Browse More Classics in AZ

Photos of East Stronghold Slideshow

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Owl rock below "mares tails."	The view east from the top of Owl Rock in Cochise ...	I think this is Hurt Butt Buttress, taken from Roc...
Toofast relaxing near the stream bed between the R...	Dave and Scott in the Stronghold.	Julie B enjoying 5.8 plates on gear.