Chiricahua Peak
As with the rest of the Chiricahua Mountains, the peak was formed as the result of a violent volcanic eruption about 27 million years ago.
The peak contains one of the southernmost Engelmann spruce stands in the world. There are also extensive stands of quaking aspen on the north slope. Much of the peak was severely burned in recent times, causing aspens to take up once occupied by evergreen trees. Through the trunks of trees, views can be seen northward and westward. This includes views across the Basin and Range to Mount Lemmon, Mount Graham, and Mount Wrightson. In addition, Willcox Playa is visible in the basin below.
In 2011 the Horseshoe 2 Fire burned a total of 223,000 acres (90,000 ha) within the Chiricahua Mountains causing considerable damage to the trail system. Most trails still receive infrequent volunteer maintenance.
Climate
| Climate data for Chiricahua Peak, Arizona | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 43.3 (6.3) |
43.9 (6.6) |
48.1 (8.9) |
55.0 (12.8) |
64.3 (17.9) |
74.9 (23.8) |
73.5 (23.1) |
70.8 (21.6) |
67.2 (19.6) |
60.1 (15.6) |
52.8 (11.6) |
43.7 (6.5) |
58.1 (14.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 20.4 (−6.4) |
20.9 (−6.2) |
23.7 (−4.6) |
29.7 (−1.3) |
36.0 (2.2) |
44.2 (6.8) |
47.2 (8.4) |
46.8 (8.2) |
43.1 (6.2) |
34.4 (1.3) |
27.8 (−2.3) |
22.0 (−5.6) |
33.0 (0.6) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.45 (62) |
2.12 (54) |
1.80 (46) |
0.87 (22) |
1.03 (26) |
1.37 (35) |
6.35 (161) |
11.04 (280) |
5.24 (133) |
2.22 (56) |
2.31 (59) |
2.80 (71) |
39.6 (1,005) |
| Source: PRISM | |||||||||||||