Helens Dome

Overview

Forming the south-western backdrop of Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Helens Dome is a dramatic little desert peak rising out of Apache Pass. The National Park Service describes the mountain as follows: Helen's dome, a mostly bare tower of granite, served as a landmark for travelers approaching Apache Pass. Indeed, Helens Dome juts strongly out from the desert, standing above the pass at the far northern end of the Chiricahua Mountains.

Looking to the southwest from the fort visitors center, the granite cap of Helens Dome looks quite similar today as it appears in photos from the days when the fort was active (late 1800s). The history of this area is enthralling, and one can imagine the rough lives lived by the young army enlisted men, the brave laundresses, or whole Apache families watching their way of life change quite drastically…all in the shadow of Helens Dome.

While the lower slopes of Helens Dome are mostly gentle and covered in desert scrub, the final summit cap is rough and steep and promises surprisingly fun, steep Class 2+ - Class 3 scrambling. Views from the top are completely unimpeded and include a close-up of Bowie Mountain to the east-southeast as well as vistas of the Dos Cabeza Mountains to the northwest.

Rank: 1386th highest peak in Arizona
Prominence: 596 feet
USGS Quad: Bowie Mountain North
Planning Map: Coronado National Forest | Douglas Ranger District (U.S. Forest Service)

Rank & Prominence: Lists of John

Getting There

Per the National Park Service, Fort Bowie Historic Park is 116 miles east of Tucson, AZ via I-10, and 227 miles from Phoenix, AZ. There are two primary access points for this peak: Through Fort Bowie National Monument or directly from Apache Pass.

• From the town of Willcox, travel 20 miles southeast on AZ 186 to the Fort Bowie turn off (Apache Pass Road).
• Continue on this graded dirt road for another approximately 6 miles to Apache Pass (un-marked except for a Fort Bowie National Historical Site sign) or 8 miles the Fort Bowie Trailhead.

Summit Register

Summit Plaque

Red Tape & Safety Considerations

Helen’s Dome sits within BLM land and the peak is accessible from Apache Pass through BLM land. The peak can also be access via the National Historic Site, and these boundaries are marked and obvious.

Be forewarned that this area sees quite a bit a bit of illegal traffic. The “game” trail running from Apache Pass to Helens Dome is, in fact, part of the “international highway,” strewn with discarded clothing, backpacks and beverage bottles – it is a mess. You may look down to the road and notice white SUVs or trucks with green stripes training their binoculars on you. This would be the U.S. Border Patrol. Running into every day migrants may not sound scary, but should you encounter "coyotes," escorted "mules," or narcos, this could put a dent in your day.

On the summit

Molcajete

Summit relaxing

Summit knob

Camping & Lodging

Per the National Park Service:

There are no camping facilities within the park [Ft. Bowie National Monument]. Motels, stores, trailer parks, and campgrounds can be found in the nearby towns of Wilcox and Bowie.

Camping is available 25 miles southwest at the Chiricahua National Monument. The Bonita Canyon Campground does not accept reservations and cannot accommodate vehicles longer than 29 feet. Detailed information about this campground can be found in this PDF.

Backcountry and rustic, undeveloped camping is available in the surrounding Coronado National Forest. Visit this National Forest page for more information.

From Fort Bowie

Above the cemetery

Above the ruins

Weather & Seasons

Helens Dome Summit

As the National Park Service describes it, Helens Dome sits where the The hot and dry Sonoran Desert meets the milder Chihuahuan Desert, and the southern Rocky Mountains [abut] the northern Sierra Madres. In plain terms, this means that while temperatures in these mountains are more moderate than, say, Phoenix or Tucson, the summer heat would still make it almost unbearable to visit this peak in the summer. Summer peak heat daytime highs are in the mid-90s (F) in June and July, with overnight lows in the low 50s (June) and low 60s (July). December and January bring daytime highs in the upper 50s and lows in the mid 20s. Total precipitation is low, with annual total of less than 13 inches. July and August are the monsoon season with 2 ½ to close to 3 inches of rain monthly. Detailed climate data: Western Regional Climate Center

Click for weather forecast

Upper dome

Images

View Helens Dome Image Gallery - 17 Images