SKELETON CANYON
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SKELETON CANYON |
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NAME: Skeleton Canyon COUNTY: Cochise ROADS: 4WD LEGAL INFO: 7 CLIMATE: Hot in summer, warm in winter BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime |
COMMENTS:
Located off Hwy. 80 outside of Douglas.
There is a monument along Hwy.80 commemorating the surrender of Geronimo,
however, the real surrender site is in Skeleton Canyon, also known as Guadalupe
Canyon or Caņon de los Embudos. It is a good 11 miles over dusty roads,
and through dry washes. 4WD or by horseback is recommended. There are some
signs pointing in the direction of Skeleton Canyon. -- To reach Skeleton
Canyon, AZ, take Geronimo Trail, from 15th Ave-nue in Douglas (right on
US 80), and drive on the dirt road until you pass millemarker 20. Road on
the right side after mile 20 is Skeleton Canyon Rd REMAINS: None |
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This area originally known as Guadalupe Canyon. However,there was only one passable route between Mexico and the United States, and it later became known as "Skeleton Canyon" due to the many bleached bones of both humans and cattle that were found here. It was the main route between the U.S and Mexico in that area, and many rustlers on both side of the border used it. There are some accounts of rustlers like Johnny Ringo, Curly Bill Brocius, the Clantons, etc. who ambushed Mexicans bringing cattle up from Mexico here and stealing their cattle and gold shipments. This canyon was also known as Caņon de los Embudos by the Mexicans. It is also where "old man" Clanton (father of Ike and Billy Clanton) and his group of "cattlemen" were ambushed by mexican "Rurales" commanded by Emilio Kosterlitzsky in retaliation for misdeeds on the other side of the border. There are accounts that none other than Wyatt Earp, his brother Morgan and Doc Holliday were present and took part in the shooting. Later, before the O.K. Corral incident, Doc Holliday told Ike Clanton that he was the one who killed his old man. One historian has commented that over 100 humans lost their lives here, and that this canyon is haunted. Submitted by: Harry & Ingrid McNeer UPDATE: Actually, Old Man Clanton was killed in Guadalupe Canyon in Mexico though some accounts state the location as Skeleton Canyon. This was in reprisal for the Clanton's ambush of Mexican smugglers which was in Skeleton Canyon in a spot called Devil's Kitchen; it does seem like the most likely spot in the whole canyon to stage an ambush as it is the only open area there. It is mostly very narrow. Tom McCurnin
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