Backyard Discoveries: The Shrine on Chihuahua Hill

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.

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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.

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46 Comments

  1. 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!

  2. 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.

    • 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. 😛

  3. Liz

    This hidden shrine is so cool! And your photos are beautiful

  4. alexisrae13

    I would love to know how the heck this got started!

  5. This looks like a really interesting place! Great guide 🙂

  6. You got me at Chihuahua Hill (such a cute name!). The shrine looks like a great find!

  7. Great photos and the shrine looks cool! I also enjoy shrines, temples, and whatnot.

  8. The shrine Looks so beautiful! It looks and sounds like a very ineresting place, thank you for sharing 🙂

  9. This looks like such an interesting spot! Sometimes exploring your own backyard helps you find the most unique hidden gems 🙂

  10. This is so cool!! I would have never known about this if you hadn’t shared it, so thank you!

  11. Amber

    This would be a beautiful place to check out. I’m not religious, but it looks like a peaceful area.

  12. i have never heart of Chihuahua Hills, looks like aa very interesting place! so religious and peaceful. hope you liked it.

  13. Looks like a beautiful place! I would love the hike up to see the view.

  14. What a sight to see, I would have never known that was there.

  15. Wow, that is definitely a site that is worth the hike! What a beautiful shrine.

  16. What a cool place to check out. Thank you for sharing so us, who can’t travel right now, can still experience it!

    • 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.

  17. Nellaino

    That was a really interesting post. I didn’t even know that such place exists!

  18. 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.

  19. I long to go to Arizona and visit the beauties it holds. This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing these photos!

  20. dee

    Interesting little place. Sometimes we forget whats right in our own backyards..adventure awaits

  21. What a fun discovery! I love finding cool things like this and we live in an area that has lots of them! <3

  22. 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
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  23. Looks like a great place to explore! My hubby would love to visit this place!

    Pammy – joyfulsource.com

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