West Doubtful Canyon

West Doubtful Canyon was the name of one of two canyons in the Peloncillo Mountains, once considered in the 19th century as one canyon "Doubtful Canyon" that served as the pass through those mountains. Today the canyon bearing the name Doubtful Canyon, is mostly in Cochise County, Arizona, near the New Mexico border. It descends to the east into the Animas Valley past Steins Peak [2] it is in Hidalgo County, New Mexico.[1] The western canyon is now called West Doubtful Canyon and it descends into the San Simon Valley, in Cochise County, Arizona.[1]

West Doubtful Canyon
West Doubtful Canyon
West Doubtful Canyon in Arizona, New Mexico
Geography
LocationCochise County, Arizona, United States
Coordinates32°17′19″N 109°06′24″W 
Reference [1]

History

The mountain water sources and the low north south divide that lay between the two Doubtful canyons made it a favored shortcut to the Southern Emigrant Trail wagon road for east west travelers. Doubtful Canyon and West Doubtful Canyon formed the pass where the Butterfield Overland Mail passed through the Peloncillo Mountains. However it earned its name for it was a favored site for ambushes by the Apache during the Apache Wars.

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: West Doubtful Canyon
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Steins Peak


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