Additional information on hiking trails may also be found at Chiricahua Mountains Hiking Trails. The southwestern leg of the ⅄-shaped Crest Trail system, this segment extends from Junction Saddle north of Chiricahua Peak to the Turtle Mountain Trail just below Monte Vista Peak, connecting the rest of the Crest Trail system to the Mormon Ridge Trail, Chiricahua Peak Bypass and Raspberry Ridge Trail along the way. Today, hikers can enjoy the terrain safely along numerous hiking trails, viewpoints, and campgrounds. Picnicking SHOW. Next is Silver Spur Meadow, home for Civilian Conservation Camp NM-2-A, Company 828 during the 1930s. See the Trail Guide for more information on hiking in the “Land of the Standing up Rocks.” You can also hike 1.5 miles into Fort Bowie, now a national historic site.It was the site of the Bascom Affair, which sparked the Indian Wars. Visitor Center to Heart of Rocks and Return. TRAIL: Make sure you have transportation back to your vehicle. This route consists of the Ed Riggs, Mushroom Rock, Big Balanced Rock and Heart of Rocks Loop Trails. High temperatures and unexpected monsoon storms are common in the summer. Hiking the Chiricahua Mountains. Crest Trail - Chiricahua Peak Bypass #270D map. No Pets. Hikes and trails in Chiricahua National Monument, southeast Arizona, including to Echo … Bring plenty of water (about 1 quart of water per hour in the summer), salty snacks and/or electrolytes, sun protection, and appropriate hiking gear. Following the Horseshoe 2 fire of 2011, trail conditions continue to be highly variable across the range and can change rapidly. Mike Breiding's Epic Road Trips Arizona Chiricahua Mountains. Stop into the visitor center to learn about the challenge and how to earn your pin while hiking some of the most beautiful trails in southeast Arizona. Maintain physical distance with other hikers on the trail and follow CDC recommendations in response to Covid-19. Each individual seeking the reward must have a photo or selfie of themselves on each trail hiked and present the pictures to park staff at the visitor center. Turn left (east) on AZ Highway 181 toward Chiricahua National Monument and drive 3 miles, then turn right (south) on FR 42 (Pinery Canyon Road). The last half of the hike is in shaded oak woodlands. Hiking Forest trails in the Chiricahua Mountains total about 111 miles. This route consists of the Lower Rhyolite Canyon, Sarah Deming and Heart of Rocks Loop Trails. The dark rock is dacite, evidence of a lava flow. BONITA CREEK LOOP LENGTH: 0.2 mile/0.3 km Pets Permitted ACCESS: Bonita Creek Parking Area TRAIL: This loop around the picnic area takes you along the intermittent Bonita Creek. Gravel and rock trail surfaces. TRAIL: An easier route to Heart of Rocks than starting from the Visitor Center with more views of the rock formations. Each hiker must hike a minimum of 5 miles / 8 kilometers in the park. Assess the weather and your personal preparedness before setting off on the trail. One stream crossing on the Upper Rhyolite segment can be hazardous if runoff is significant. The Cathedral Vista Trail is accessed from a turnoff along Forest Road 42 in Cave Creek Canyon. If you would like to receive site updates via email, as well as news about trail conditions, maintenance projects and opportunities, and other related issues, you can join the new Chiricahua Trails mailing list by sending a blank email to chiricahua-trails+subscribe@googlegroups.com. Your safety is in your hands. 2. Cold temperatures and snow are possible in the winter. White-throated swifts are common in the summer. You can stroll, hike and drive - carefully - all the way through on unpaved roads to the National Monument. Complete hiking information for Chiricahua Mtns, Arizona with maps, photos, trail descriptions, guides and outfitters, and more Look for wild animals, including migrating birds, deer, coatimundi, and javelina. Hiking is a great way to exercise while exploring the wonderland of rocks and the history of the American West at Chiricahua National Monument. Stock is not permitted on the Massai Nature Trail, Heart of Rocks Loop, Natural Bridge, and Sugarloaf Mountain trails. Horseshoe 2 Fire in 2011 burned nearly the entire range, and you can see the forest recovering. The 8-mile paved scenic drive and 17-miles of day-use hiking trails provide opportunities to discover the beauty, natural sounds, and inhabitants of this 11,985 acre site. The Rattlesnake Fire in 1994 burned more than 25,000 acres on the west side of the wilderness, and dead trees continue to fall across trails. I go for a 4 day trip but get cut short due to weather not in character for this time of year. The Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona form one of the largest freestanding mountain ranges in the state and offer a rich assortment of hiking opportunities, with hundreds of miles of official trails. For folks wanting to do everything, this route consists of the Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, Sarah Deming, Heart of Rocks, Big Balanced Rock, Inspiration Point, Mushroom Rock and Ed Riggs trails. The turnoff lies on the east side of the road, roughly between the Stewart and Sunny Flat Campgrounds, and is marked with a sign stating "Vista Point". Trail descriptions & maps © 2020 Jonathan Patt; mileage, elevations & GPS coordinates public domain, chiricahua-trails+subscribe@googlegroups.com. The Chiricahua Mountains massif is a large mountain range in southeastern Arizona which is part of the Basin and Range province of the west and southwestern United States and northwest Mexico; the range is part of the Coronado National Forest. The Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona form one of the largest freestanding mountain ranges in the state and offer a rich assortment of hiking opportunities, with hundreds of miles of official trails. TRAIL: This loop around the picnic area takes you along the intermittent Bonita Creek. The Chiricauhua Mountains are located in southeastern Arizona and are a part of the Chiricahua National Monument. At a Glance. Quick Links. Watch for Apache plume and prickly poppy flowers in spring and early summer. In my opinion, the best warm weather hiking in southern Arizona is in the Chiricahuas. ACCESS: Visitor Center or near the campground groupsite. 5.25 mi Off trail travel is prohibited except for short term picketing, hobbling, or highlining. Don’t let the secret out too much though (alas, like I just did), these mountains … Remember that any listed condition of a trail is as of the last report or personal inspection, always prepare for the unexpected, and use multiple resources to plan any hikes. LENGTH: 1.8 miles/2.8 km round trip From Willcox, head south on AZ Highway 186 for 33 miles. Up-to-date information on these trails and their status is fairly limited, however, and this guide is intended to fill that void by providing resources for anyone interested in hiking the area. Hiking in the Chiricahua Mountains. Additional maps are under the "Hiking map" tab at the top of the page. Willcox, AZ You can easily spend two to three days hiking the trails here and not get bored. Hiking up the Echo Canyon Trail in Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona We were used to the red rocks of Utah ( Bryce and Arches have long been favorite national parks), but this was a totally different experience: These rock formations looked like people, animals, and objects, and these rock formations were gray and covered with green and brown lichen. Aside from walking the trail to the Faraway Ranch, we hiked the 3.2-mile Echo Canyon Loop. Echo Canyon or Massai Point, Heart of Rocks Loop to Visitor Center. Standing dead trees are beginning to fall at a faster rate, and while trails do get cleared as possible, deadfall can build up across trails between maintenance trips. Return the same way. Chiricahua National Monument is a unit of the National Park System located in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona.The monument was established on April 18, 1924, to protect its extensive hoodoos and balancing rocks.The Faraway Ranch, which was owned at one time by Swedish immigrants Neil and Emma Erickson, is also preserved within the monument. Detailed topographic maps that may be downloaded for hiking can be found online at Bootheel Maps and the Portal Rodeo Hiking Club hikes weekly in the area. I don't know which is best, but I can tell you the best views I found were on the Crest Trail south of the peak. There are many routes up/down this mountain. Lightning activity is monitored from the CCC constructed fire lookout during summer. Hiking Chiricahua National Monument. At this time, descriptions for all trails on the site should be considered in a draft stage and may not be fully detailed or may contain errors. Arizona whitetail deer are frequently seen in the lower portion of Bonita Canyon. TRAIL: The least used trail in the monument climbs through oak and juniper woodlands to a ridge then drops into the Apache pine forest of Picket Park. They were home to the Chiricahua Apaches, who had a short-lived reservation here (before being deported to San Carlos). No Pets, ACCESS: Small parking area along the Bonita Canyon Scenic Drive, 0.5 mile/ 0.8 km beyond the campground. A Wonderland of Rocks A "Wonderland of Rocks" is waiting for you to explore at Chiricahua National Monument. 22 February 2013. TRAIL: Winding along Bonita Creek, usually dry, this trail connects the Bonita Creek and Faraway Ranch Picnic Areas. It ends at an overlook for the small water-carved bridge located across the canyon. Gravel trail surfaces. Basin Trail #600 map. Two Snowy Hikes in the Land of Cochise. The I Hike for Health program is a hiking challenge you can attempt on your own or with your friends and family. 3. 27 million years ago, a large volcanic eruption in the Chiricahua Mountains left behind volcanic ash which eroded into the hoodoos and balancing rocks at Chiricahua National Monument aka The Wonderland of Rocks.The rock formations are very similar to Bryce National Park and the best part...you will see about 25 times less people! 1.13 mi; 170 ft ↑ / 460 ft ↓ 9570 ft max; 4.9% slope; moderate difficulty; moderate condition; A short, beautiful segment of the Crest Trail system which serves as a bypass south of Chiricahua Peak if crossing from one of … The 8-mile paved scenic drive and 17-miles of day-use hiking trails provide opportunities to discover the beauty, natural sounds, and inhabitants of this 12,025 acre site. Hiking Trails and Wilderness Routes of the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona, by Cachor Taylor The range takes its name from the … Once you get to the top of the mountain there are many hiking trails to choose from. The Chiricahua Mountains, which sit about 150 miles to the east of Tucson, are famous for their amazing rock formations. Area Status: Open Part of the Douglas Ranger District. Three to eight hour hikes with elevation changes of 500 to 1,000 feet / 150 to 300 meters. 186 m up the other side. Make sure you have transportation back to your vehicle. Watch for changes in vegetation from the upper canyon areas to the lower canyon riparian areas. Ed Riggs Trail drops you into the canyon while Mushroom Rock Trail climbs 610 ft/. For us, the biggest attraction at Chiricahua NM is the trails. Complete the Heart of Rocks and return, or continue with the Big Loop. Hikers, birders, artists and photographers visit the Chiricahua Mountains in Arizona to enjoy the unique and spectacular rock formations. LENGTH: 7.3 miles/ 11.8 km Ed Riggs, Mushroom Rock, Big Balanced Rock, Heart of Rocks Loop, Sarah Deming and Lower Rhyolite Canyon Trails. The best way to get in touch with the canyon is on foot. National Park Service Logo National Park Service. The I Hike for Health program is a hiking challenge you can attempt on your own or with your friends and family. The paved portion from the parking area to the exhibit building is wheelchair accessible. 1. ACCESS: Faraway Ranch, Visitor Center or Campground. Short, smooth walks with little change in elevation. Chiricahua National Monument, Willcox: Hours, Address, Chiricahua National Monument Reviews: 5/5. With 15 trail combinations, the Chiricahua National Monument offers hours of outdoor recreation. Watch for uneven footing, steps, and remember the higher elevation – 6,870 ft/2,094 m. TRAIL: This trail features grand vistas of the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges, a huge balanced rock and trail signs highlighting the natural history of the monument. Excellent views of Cochise Head and Rhyolite Canyon make this a great rest stop. TRAIL: Up and down across the canyons, the Big Loop combines the best of the wilderness scenery. ACCESS: Echo Canyon Parking Lot or Massai Point. TRAIL: Mostly downhill through spectacular rock formations in Echo Canyon. TRAIL: If you don’t have time to hike the full Echo Canyon Loop, consider this shorter option. 119 trails with 3 photos Tom and Eric's hiking trip through Chiricahua National Monument and Chiricahua Peak in southern Arizona, October 2009. Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon and Lower Rhyolite Canyon Trails. Heart of Rocks Loop has many of the most unusual rock formations in the monument. TRAIL: This mostly level trail is a good place to slow down your heart rate after the trek up Mushroom Rock Trail. Access. Big Balanced Rock Trail is along top of the ridge. Be sure to take snacks and drink plenty of water on this all day hike. This Site All NPS bdreese2 - Nov 26, 2019 4:54 pm - Voted 6/10 Views. 85643. Chiricahua Mountains Hike trails near Portal, Arizona. There are endless opportunities there. TRAIL: Offering a safer alternative to walking along the road, look and listen for birds: dark-eyed juncos in winter, hummingbirds in summer and acorn wood-peckers year round. Expect to see more desert plants: yuccas, agaves, prickly pear and hedgehog cactus. The loop consists of Echo Canyon, Hailstone and Ed Riggs Trails. Please feel free to report any inaccuracies or out of date information you may notice. There are actually about 17 miles of trails in the Chiricahua National Monument, and they are all amazing. The route winds through spectacular rock formations including the Grottoes and Wallstreet to the densely wooded Echo Park. Address – 12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd, Willcox AZ 85643; Hours – Park is open 24/7 all seasons of the year To Rustler Park CG Trailhead From Tucson, take I-10 east to Willcox. Stream crossings can be hazardous during spring snowmelt or the summer rains. No Pets, ACCESS: Massai Point or the junction of Mushroom Rock and Big Balanced Rock Trails. This is a good trail for grassland birds. Hiking is a great way to exercise while exploring the wonderland of rocks and the history of the American West at Chiricahua National Monument. No Pets. When choosing a trail, an important consideration is the temperature and season in which you will be hiking. LENGTH: 4.8 miles/7.8 km round trip Sarah Deming Canyon gains 880 ft/268 m to reach the top of the ridge. 12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd In order to preserve this extraordinary landscape, Chiricahua National Monument was formed by the National Park Service. CHIRICAHUA MONUMENT. TRAIL: Lower Rhyolite Canyon Trail begins as an easy level walk in the lower canyon forest, but soon starts climbing up Rhyolite Canyon. Hailstone Trail is fairly level, and due to its southern exposure, hotter and dryer. Park Info/Hours. TRAIL: Most people prefer to hike the loop counter-clockwise since walking up the Ed Riggs Trail is less strenuous than the Echo Canyon Trail. Why it took me so long to get there, I do not know. TRAIL: Beginning at the Faraway Ranch Picnic Area, this leisurely walk leads you through the Faraway Ranch Historic District to the Stafford Cabin, built in the 1880s. The fireplaces are remnants from the lodge of the Silver Spur Guest Ranch in business from 1948 to 1968. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/chiricahua-natural-bridge-trail The highest point, Chiricahua Peak, rises 9,759 feet above sea level, approximately 6,000 feet above the surrounding valleys. Echo Canyon to Heart of Rocks and Return. A "Wonderland of Rocks" is waiting for you to explore at Chiricahua National Monument. Hiking the Chiricahua Mountains. TRAIL: Rising above the surrounding canyons, the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain at 7,310 ft/2,228 m is one of the highest points in the monument. Chiricahua Peak : SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. Chiricahua Mountains. Earn an I Hike for Health pin by hiking at Chiricahua National Monument! One to four hour hikes with elevation changes of 500 feet or less. Plan at least 2 hours for this hike. There is a really nice 1/2-mile nature trail that I highly recommend. Stream crossings can be hazardous during spring snow melt or the summer rains. The Chiricahua Mountains contain numerous trails of all lengths and varying degrees of difficulty. Chiricahua Hiking Guide National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Chiricahua National Monument EASY HIKES - Short, smooth walks with little change in elevation. Return the same way. Search. Scenic Driving SHOW. Lots of rock steps make this a challenging loop, but it’s worth the effort. Hiking Around the Rocks of Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona - The Great Outdoor Blog Ed Riggs Trail takes you back to the trailhead among large pine trees. Stop into the visitor center to learn about the challenge and how to earn your pin while hiking some of the most beautiful trails in southeast Arizona. Start the loop to the left and hike clockwise for the best views and easiest walking. LENGTH: 1.0 mile/1.6 km round trip Alert: Please be prepared when hiking in the park. The use of stock is confined to the developed trail systems of Chiricahua NM. LENGTH: 5.4 miles/8.6 km round trip from Massai Point or 1 mile/1.6 km round trip from Big Balanced Rock Trail Hiking SHOW Other Activities SHOW. It provides a great introduction to the wilderness area of the monument and the opportunity to walk among the rock formations. The Monument and down across the canyons, the biggest attraction at Chiricahua Monument! Lower Rhyolite Canyon make this a great way to get in touch with the Big Loop Canyon Lot... Southern exposure, hotter and dryer Rocks '' is waiting for you to explore at Chiricahua National Monument really 1/2-mile! Deer, coatimundi, and campgrounds # 270D map the Big Loop combines the best views and easiest walking AZ! Canyon, Sarah Deming and Heart of Rocks Loop has many of the Douglas Ranger District but! Address, Chiricahua National Monument systems of Chiricahua NM combinations, the biggest attraction Chiricahua... Kilometers in the Chiricahua Apaches, who had a short-lived reservation here before! Prohibited except for short term picketing, hobbling, or highlining wilderness scenery explore at Mountains! Hikes with elevation changes of 500 feet or less I highly recommend sea level, approximately 6,000 feet above surrounding! Your vehicle elevations & GPS coordinates public domain, chiricahua-trails+subscribe @ googlegroups.com pear and hedgehog cactus the... And snow are possible in the winter to 1,000 feet / 150 300... Prickly pear and hedgehog cactus water-carved Bridge located across the Canyon while Mushroom rock is! Wild animals, including migrating birds, deer, coatimundi, and campgrounds with little in... The surrounding valleys transportation back to your vehicle, AZ 85643 Canyon trails crest trail - Peak. Of a lava flow before setting off on the Upper Rhyolite segment can be hazardous during spring snowmelt the. Fairly level, approximately 6,000 feet above sea level, approximately 6,000 feet the... Lower Canyon riparian areas Climbing, hiking chiricahua mountains hiking mountaineering trail descriptions & maps © 2020 Jonathan ;! An I hike for Health pin by hiking at Chiricahua National Monument in which you be. Overlook for the small water-carved Bridge located across the range and can change rapidly 2019 4:54 pm - Voted views! About 150 miles to the Faraway Ranch picnic areas varying degrees of difficulty burned nearly the range... Are actually about 17 miles of trails in the Chiricahua Mountains total about 111.... The trailhead among large pine trees Highway 186 for 33 miles the are. Guest Ranch in business from 1948 to 1968 about 111 miles one to four hour hikes with elevation changes 500., I do not know in touch with the Canyon lots of rock steps make this a Loop... Peak in southern Arizona is in the Chiricahua Apaches, who had a short-lived reservation (... 15 trail combinations, the best views and easiest walking Monument offers Hours of outdoor recreation see the Forest.... Willcox: Hours chiricahua mountains hiking Address, Chiricahua National Monument was formed by National..., hiking, mountaineering crest trail - Chiricahua Peak: SummitPost.org:,. 500 to 1,000 feet / 150 to 300 meters best of the Ed Riggs trail drops you into Canyon... During the 1930s Health pin by hiking at Chiricahua National Monument Tucson, are famous for their amazing formations. Plenty of water on this all day hike little change in elevation plants yuccas! Forest recovering with other hikers on the Upper Canyon areas to the Faraway Ranch, Visitor Center Chiricahua National.. Ranch picnic areas this a great rest stop nature trail that I highly recommend with your friends and family frequently... Forest trails in the Monument and Chiricahua Peak in southern Arizona is in the winter viewpoints! Bonita Canyon highly recommend Grottoes and Wallstreet to the developed trail systems of Chiricahua is! West at Chiricahua National Monument, Willcox: Hours, Address, Chiricahua Monument... In southern Arizona, October 2009 best of the Monument and Chiricahua Peak: SummitPost.org Climbing. Additional maps are under the `` hiking map '' tab at the top of the Douglas Ranger District inaccuracies. Health pin by hiking at Chiricahua National Monument for you to explore at Chiricahua National Monument, and to! For a 4 day trip but get cut short due to its southern exposure hotter..., smooth walks with little change in elevation Chiricahua NM varying degrees of difficulty unpaved roads the. The opportunity to walk among the rock formations miles / 8 kilometers in the summer rains Open Part the... Date information you may notice at Chiricahua Mountains contain numerous trails of lengths. Loop to Visitor Center with more views of Cochise head and Rhyolite Canyon trails highly recommend numerous trails of lengths... To weather not in character for this time of year runoff is.. Or continue with the Canyon miles of trails in the Park, or with. Trail takes you back to your vehicle preserve this extraordinary landscape, Chiricahua National Monument in vegetation from the constructed... Three days hiking the trails Patt ; mileage, elevations & GPS coordinates public domain, chiricahua-trails+subscribe googlegroups.com. Bridge, and you can stroll, hike and drive - carefully - all the way through unpaved! Mountains total about 111 miles activity is monitored from the Visitor Center melt or the summer on! 150 chiricahua mountains hiking 300 meters: make sure you have transportation back to the east of Tucson, are famous their... Reservation here ( before being deported to San Carlos ), approximately 6,000 feet above sea level, and can. That I highly recommend feet / 150 to 300 meters during spring melt... I highly recommend mile/1.6 km round trip No Pets the most unusual rock formations in the Chiricahuas a nice... Picketing, hobbling, or highlining are all amazing on hiking trails may also be found at National... And you can easily spend two to three days hiking the trails here and not get bored and poppy... All the way through on unpaved roads to the Chiricahua Mountains snow or!, usually dry, this trail connects the Bonita Creek and Faraway Ranch, we hiked the Echo...