If you’re up for a little bit of hike in Bisbee, AZ, the jaunt up Youngblood and Chihuahua Hill is an excellent way to get the heart pumping and to see life in this former mining town in a different way.
Like we mentioned in our handy itinerary, you can take OK Street up to the base of Youngblood Hill and take time to check out all the local homes (trust me, you’ll want to – they have a lot of character). If you start your journey earlier in the morning (maybe around 7 a.m.), you’ll benefit from pleasant temperatures and having the town (and trail)practically all to yourself before the sleepy town becomes a bustling tourist stop.
Blue Jesus (I’ve called him this because he is both literally painted blue and because of his sorrowful expression) is the marker of your trail up Youngblood, but also a good wake-up call for groggy hikers because from a distance you can’t tell if it’s a statue or a person waiting at the trail.
A couple important notes before you ascend:
- Beyond Blue Jesus is private property, so be polite and don’t go exploring a local’s front yard.
- The path up to the hills is steep, narrow and slippery. If you’re not a strong hiker or don’t have appropriate shoes, it’s best to come back another time. There is also a bit of incline when getting to the top of both hills, so stay hydrated and listen to your body to stop when needed.
If you do make it up Chihuahua Hill, you are rewarded with a great view of the town below and are privy to a shrine that’s maintained by its residents. You can see some of our photos from the site below, but it’s really worth a visit in person. There’s a sense of peace, joy and love you get when you look at these colorful tributes.
Pay your respects and please move around with care.
Milana's Travels
What a fascinating place! The shrine looks amazing, so awesome that the locals still preserve it. This is definitely not a place I’d ever find out about if it wasn’t for your blog. Thanks for sharing!
waitingforrain28
We love finding off the beaten path locales! <3
The Invisible Tourist
What a fascinating little place! I’m glad you mentioned to go early to beat the crowds and hotter day temperature. I’d imagine it would get scorching hot out there! Thanks for sharing.
waitingforrain28
In the summer, it would DEFINITELY be hot. Never hike in the middle of the day in the summer in AZ. Beating the crowds is always nice too. 😛
Liz
This hidden shrine is so cool! And your photos are beautiful
waitingforrain28
Thanks!!
alexisrae13
I would love to know how the heck this got started!
waitingforrain28
Me too! There were some memorials up there, so perhaps it was started for a specific loved one.
passportforliving
This looks like a really interesting place! Great guide 🙂
waitingforrain28
*thumbs up!*
Alyssa J
You got me at Chihuahua Hill (such a cute name!). The shrine looks like a great find!
waitingforrain28
Isn’t it!? Love that name. 🙂
Eve Kay
Great photos and the shrine looks cool! I also enjoy shrines, temples, and whatnot.
waitingforrain28
I love spiritual places, especially when they are on top of mountains.
kathaisa11
The shrine Looks so beautiful! It looks and sounds like a very ineresting place, thank you for sharing 🙂
waitingforrain28
No problem! We love sharing this kind of unique stuff.
Find Your World Girl (@findurworld)
This looks like such an interesting spot! Sometimes exploring your own backyard helps you find the most unique hidden gems 🙂
waitingforrain28
Agreed! That’s the best part about Backyard Discoveries.
Megan Elliott (@LushtoBlush)
This is so cool!! I would have never known about this if you hadn’t shared it, so thank you!
waitingforrain28
No problem! <3 Glad you enjoyed it.
Amber
This would be a beautiful place to check out. I’m not religious, but it looks like a peaceful area.
waitingforrain28
It is very spiritual, even if you aren’t religious. Very very beautiful. <3
nallely/tips4chiks
i have never heart of Chihuahua Hills, looks like aa very interesting place! so religious and peaceful. hope you liked it.
waitingforrain28
It was fascinating and very spiritual. We loved it. 🙂
Tiffany Meiter
Looks like a beautiful place! I would love the hike up to see the view.
waitingforrain28
Come to Arizona and be sure to explore the south. There are so many wonderful things here!
Sondra Barker
What a sight to see, I would have never known that was there.
waitingforrain28
Me neither! But we wanted to go for a hike, so we found it! <3
Krysti Jaims
Wow, that is definitely a site that is worth the hike! What a beautiful shrine.
waitingforrain28
Agreed! It was really lovely.
Sarah
What a cool place to check out. Thank you for sharing so us, who can’t travel right now, can still experience it!
waitingforrain28
For sure! We love to share this stuff with everyone. Hopefully you will be able to travel again soon, assuming that that is something that you’d like.
Nellaino
That was a really interesting post. I didn’t even know that such place exists!
waitingforrain28
Thanks! We loved discovering it!
ChellBee (@iamChellBee)
This is a really interesting trail. I have never seen anything like this. I have never been to AZ I would expect this to be in like NM or something.
waitingforrain28
AZ is an really lovely state with lots of surprises! 🙂
Shawna
I long to go to Arizona and visit the beauties it holds. This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing these photos!
waitingforrain28
No problem! I love sharing the beauty of my home.
dee
Interesting little place. Sometimes we forget whats right in our own backyards..adventure awaits
waitingforrain28
So true! There are so many neat places all over!
Mommy Engineering
What a fun discovery! I love finding cool things like this and we live in an area that has lots of them! <3
waitingforrain28
Awesome! We love these little discoveries.
angie
very cool we have a place here in the shawnee forest that reminds me of the one you shared. One may never know how something got started but I do love listening to the stories others share
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
waitingforrain28
There are lovely little discoveries everywhere!
Pammy
Looks like a great place to explore! My hubby would love to visit this place!
Pammy – joyfulsource.com
waitingforrain28
Head over to AZ then! There is no end to the cool discoveries here.