At the Big Balanced Rock in the Heart of Rocks area of Chiricahua National Monument are, left to right: Larry Linderman, Joe and Joyce Maurizzi, Aaron Schoenberg (guide), Niel Christenson and Jackie Hall; photo by Aaron Schoenberg
Aaron Schoenberg
Chiricahua National Monument is a land of Standing up Rocks, pinnacles also known as hoodoos. This is an amazing place with the most unusual rock formations. We visited Balanced Rock, Duck on a Rock, Punch and Judy and Kissing Rock. These incredible rock formations were all on a circular hiking trail called the Heart of Rocks Loop. But besides hiking here, we did so much more.
Twenty participants from the SaddleBrooke Hiking Club were led by Aaron Schoenberg and Dave Sorenson on a medley of hikes and tours in the area for moderate and easy trekkers. But for starters, all the hikers met on Monday morning at 8:45 a.m. at the trailhead on Apache Pass Road for a special guided hike by a volunteer ranger, Jude Splinter, from the Fort Bowie National Historic Site. She brought history alive as we hiked a two-mile walk past the site of the Battle of Apache Pass, Apache Spring, the Fort Bowie Cemetery and, of course, the two Fort Bowie locations, that were focal points of military operations by the U.S. Army against the Chiricahua Apaches for control of the region. It is hard to believe that such a beautiful tranquil area was the site of such awful blood shedding battles that took place over 140 years ago. After touring the visitor center and eating lunch we departed on a ridge walk overlooking Fort Bowie and headed back to our cars via the crossing of Siphon Canyon.
Then, after a 35 minute drive, our convoy arrived at Faraway Ranch in Chiricahua National Monument. Here early Swedish settlers made this Bonita Canyon and surrounding area home. They laid out trails and made their home a guest ranch bringing visitors up into the region to view the many amazing rock formations. Here again we were fortunate to have it arranged to be guided through this historic home by Park Ranger Suzanne Moody.
Now it was time for some serious hiking. The “B” hikers trekked up a beautiful mountain path through a valley called Picket Park and on to a viewing of a natural bridge. Meanwhile, the “C” hikers went up the park road to a trail hike where they enjoyed a spectacular late afternoon 360° view of a hoodoo landscape that is impossible to describe its awesome beauty. The hike was a gradual one mile 500 foot climb on a trail created by the Civil Conservation Corps back in the 1930s depression to a strategically placed stone historic fire tower.
Then to culminate our day, the two groups, after checking into the Arizona Sunset Inn in Willcox, Arizona, went around the corner to the Big Tex BBQ Restaurant which is located in an authentic railroad car where we gathered for our traditional trip dinner. Here we discussed our great day of activity and heard about what awaits us in tomorrow’s travels.
It was hard to beat the special day of activities we already experienced but the beauty of Chiricahua National Monument was explored in further depth on this second day. From the start the “B” and “C” groups had different hikes planned but one thing in common was that both groups explored the Heart of Rocks loop. The “B” group also went on to be mesmerized by the beauty of Inspiration Point and ascended back through the maze of caves, grottoes and pillars as they worked their way back up Echo Canyon to their awaiting cars. While the “C” group took the park shuttle which led them to the top of the park road and from there they traversed the Heart of Rocks and then they descended the lush and scenic Lower Rhyolite Canyon Trail back to the their cars awaiting them at the visitor center.
This was a very successful trip with various hikes and guided tours that kept us in awe for two days. The beauty was breathtaking and all enjoyed the experiences that both parks we visited offered. Immediately there was talk that we should do another two day outing with hopefully similar adventures. So I have got to work and am in the planning stages for a proposed future trip to Roosevelt Lake/Tonto National Monument to be scheduled hopefully for November 2017. Keep your eyes open for more details in future newsletters.