March 17, 2018 - Chirichua National Monument Trails

"Land of the Standing up Rocks - A Sky Island - an isolated mountain range rising above the surrounding grassland sea. The origin of this mountain range started 27 million years ago when eruptions from the Turkey Creek Volcano spewed ash over 1,200 square miles. These superheated ash particles melted together, forming layers of grey rock called rhyolite. Cooling and subsequent uplifting created joints and cracks in the rhyolite. Aeons of the weathering by ice wedging and erosion by water enlarged the cracks. Weaker material washed away, leaving behind an endless variety of spires, balanced rocks and other shapes"(Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona).

Google Maps from Casa Grande to Chirichua's 


All hiking groups hiked the main Chiricahua trails on March 17th. All hikers jumped half of the vehicles (half of the vehicles were left at the visitors center) and took Bonita Canyon Drive to Massai Point to begin their hikes.

All Trails website  All Trail Map of Chiricahua's

The long hikers hiked Echo Canyon Trail which includes Echo Canyon Grotto then took Hailstone Trail that meets with Mushroom Rock Trail. The hikers then took Inspiration Point Trail up and back, then continued down Big Balanced Rock Trail to the Heart of the Rocks loop. The way back to the visitors center was via Sarah Demming Trail and Lower Rhyolite Canyon Trail. (The map below includes Sugarloaf from yesterday's hike).






The middle hikers took Ed Riggs Trail, then Mushroom Rock Trail and Inspiration Point up and back. They took Big Balanced Rock Trail and the Heart of the Rocks Loop. Continuing on Sarah Deming Trail and Lower Rhyolite Canyon Trail to the Trailhead. 

The short hike started on Ed Riggs Trail to Mushroom Rock Trail and Big Balanced Rock Trail. They hiked Heart of the Rocks Loop then they hiked down Sarah Deming Trail and Lower Rhyolite Canyon Trail to the Trailhead. 

Once the hikers were at the Visitor's center some of the drivers drove to get the vehicles from Massai point.

Long Hikers  

Echo Canyon trail 

Echo Canyon Grotto 

The other side of the Echo Canyon Loop - Hailstone Trail. On the way to Mushroom Rock Trail

Going into the Heart of Rocks Loop Trail 

Middle Hiking Group

 

Short Hike 

Signs at the bottom of the trail. Visitor Center

Trip Data for Middle Group

This GPS records differently than the Garmin. Samsung APP - More than one mile difference.