Tired of
the urban, sporty, bureaucratic scene at Hueco? Despair Not! A mere
4.5 hours west of Hueco in southern Arizona, there exists a wealth
of granite known as Cochise's Stronghold. If you have ever seen
the
"Thing ahead - X miles - Do Not Miss!" signs you have been
near Cochise. Take the Dragoon exit and you will be on your way.
The only
access problem with the area is the silly and needless closure of
RockFellow Domes from 2.15 to 6.30 every year, just cause anti-recreation
types think that falcons freak out when climbers are around. My experience
is that they don't - I know of many nesting pairs in a certain Texas
State Park that are not traumatized by my visits. The birds scream
and let you know they know I am around, but otherwise they go about
their business. They tend to be so loud and annoying you will leave
the area ... I have observed them making kills, feeding young,
mating - all while hiking or climbing within a few hundred meters
of them. Should I tell the Rangers about these nests, so that they
can close the area? Probably not, although in one case I am tempted
to - the nest is a near a popular, moneymaking feature in the Park!
What would they do then? Apply the same "no humans within
1 mile radius" rule and loose all the $$ the site brings in?