On 10-10-10 we took a day trip to Chiricahua National Monument. I wanted to be there by 9 in the morning, if not earlier to get an early start on the 9 1/2 mile hike. Turned out we got there at around 11 instead and started the hike at 12. We got some walking sticks, which I have to say was probably the best 100 bucks we've spent in along time (25 per stick). They really helped us while walking up and down some trails that were a little worn and had lose rocks/dirt They helped us climb and they helped us not fall.
Even though we started out much later than intended, it was exciting! What marvelous views! The rocks are amazing and the story behind them is pretty fantastic too! CHIRICAHUA HISTORY
With the weather in the high 70s we started out at Massai, took the small hike through there, looked through a telescope at the vast rock structures and ate our lunch. After that we drove down the road and went to the Echo Canyon parking lot and started our hike down Ed Riggs Trail, it was un-eventful and I became confused. Why were we walking down among the trees? I wanted the upper landscape of these marvelous rocks.
So, on we trudged for .7 miles on Ed Riggs until we came to a fork in the road, we could choose Hailstone Trail or we Mushroom Rock Trail. The fact that I knew if I walked far enough I would get to see a rock in the form of a mushroom put my family on that path.
We followed this path and I became further upset, we were still down among the trees. On the 1.2 mile hike down Mushroom Rock Trail, we did see Mushroom Rock . . . although it was through some trees and the sun was in a bad place, eventually I was able to find a decent spot to capture a picture that would not be over exposed.
Eventually we came to Big Balanced Rock Trail and I think this is where we started ascending to higher grounds. Finally!!!! Big balanced Rock Trail is a one mile trail, with most being pretty un-eventful, but near the end of the trail you can vere to the right and go to the "Heart of Rocks Loop". Well, this is really where a lot of the magic is.
I did not want to take the 1.1 mile hike into the Heart of Rocls Loop because I was scared we would get stuck out in the monument after dark and we had 2 1/5 hours before nightfall but we decided to hit the trail anyway since a lot of the most famous rocks are there. The journey through these trails was a bit more intense. This is where our walking sticks came in the most handy. We were walking up steep inclines during this 1.1 mile journey. This is where we saw the Kissing Rocks, Thors Hammer, Duck on a Rock, Punch and Judy and Pinnacled Balanced Rock.
After we got back on Big Balanced Rock Trail from the loop, it only took us 5 minutes to keep ascending to Sarah Demming Trail, a 1.6 mile hike to the next intersection. This hike was AMAZING! We are now at the top of everything. We could not stay too long though, the sun was starting to set and we had to start hurrying so we would not get caught in the dark. Our truck was a good 5 miles from us in either direction.
We walked out 1.6 miles through Sarah Demming and came to an intersection and had to make a decision . . . the sun would be down in less then an hour, should we take Upper Ryolite Canyon trail (1.1 miles) to Hailstone Trail (.8 miles) to Ed Riggs (.7 miles) with no flash lights or should we keep walking the rest of the way down through the 1.5 miles of Lower Ryolite Canyon Trail to the visitor center and hope for help?
The answer was obvious. The trails are dangerous in the day, have steep cliffs you could fall off of and the wild animals. In the night we not only would not be able to see where we are putting our feet on this trail but we would also not see any dangerous wild animals that may be lurking nearby. The monument is home to many animals, Mountain Lion, Javalinas, Coyotes, Black Bears . . also Bobcats and Jaguars although there are very few sightings . . . .
So, Lower Ryolite Canyon Trail we hiked. Once we got down it was almost dark. We refilled our water bottles and used the bathroom, stopped to have a snack. Didn't matter now, if we walked up the road or through the mountain, it was going to be dark, we could only pray for a nice moonlight . . . . which did not happen. We started up the road hoping that would be safer and some cars passed us. They must have thought we were campers. No one stopped to ask if we needed any help. We walked about 1/12 miles up the road and could barely see anything. This is where I started to panic. The kids are 11 and 8 and images of a bog giant cat snatching them in the darkness and dragging them away with no chance of help with our lack of vision was playing in my head so vividly that I insisted we turned around and went back to the camp ground we had seen at the beginning near the Visitors center. The weather had dropped and I was now cold and scared . . thankfully the kids were only cold but my fear was not contagious. The temperatures have dropped to 53 degrees now and we left our jackets in the truck.
About 1/2 mile walking back in the direction opposite of our truck, two vehicles were driving towards us. The park Ranger was headed up to look at the stars though a telescope. I felt so lucky at that moment. He was kind enough to allow us all to pile in the back of his truck and take us the 5 miles back up to Echo Canyon parking lot where our truck was located.
The day was incredible! The night was pretty amazing too, although I was more scared than ever. Next time we know to pack for possibilities as well. Here are some pictures of this beautiful place.
Even though we started out much later than intended, it was exciting! What marvelous views! The rocks are amazing and the story behind them is pretty fantastic too! CHIRICAHUA HISTORY
With the weather in the high 70s we started out at Massai, took the small hike through there, looked through a telescope at the vast rock structures and ate our lunch. After that we drove down the road and went to the Echo Canyon parking lot and started our hike down Ed Riggs Trail, it was un-eventful and I became confused. Why were we walking down among the trees? I wanted the upper landscape of these marvelous rocks.
So, on we trudged for .7 miles on Ed Riggs until we came to a fork in the road, we could choose Hailstone Trail or we Mushroom Rock Trail. The fact that I knew if I walked far enough I would get to see a rock in the form of a mushroom put my family on that path.
We followed this path and I became further upset, we were still down among the trees. On the 1.2 mile hike down Mushroom Rock Trail, we did see Mushroom Rock . . . although it was through some trees and the sun was in a bad place, eventually I was able to find a decent spot to capture a picture that would not be over exposed.
Eventually we came to Big Balanced Rock Trail and I think this is where we started ascending to higher grounds. Finally!!!! Big balanced Rock Trail is a one mile trail, with most being pretty un-eventful, but near the end of the trail you can vere to the right and go to the "Heart of Rocks Loop". Well, this is really where a lot of the magic is.
I did not want to take the 1.1 mile hike into the Heart of Rocls Loop because I was scared we would get stuck out in the monument after dark and we had 2 1/5 hours before nightfall but we decided to hit the trail anyway since a lot of the most famous rocks are there. The journey through these trails was a bit more intense. This is where our walking sticks came in the most handy. We were walking up steep inclines during this 1.1 mile journey. This is where we saw the Kissing Rocks, Thors Hammer, Duck on a Rock, Punch and Judy and Pinnacled Balanced Rock.
After we got back on Big Balanced Rock Trail from the loop, it only took us 5 minutes to keep ascending to Sarah Demming Trail, a 1.6 mile hike to the next intersection. This hike was AMAZING! We are now at the top of everything. We could not stay too long though, the sun was starting to set and we had to start hurrying so we would not get caught in the dark. Our truck was a good 5 miles from us in either direction.
We walked out 1.6 miles through Sarah Demming and came to an intersection and had to make a decision . . . the sun would be down in less then an hour, should we take Upper Ryolite Canyon trail (1.1 miles) to Hailstone Trail (.8 miles) to Ed Riggs (.7 miles) with no flash lights or should we keep walking the rest of the way down through the 1.5 miles of Lower Ryolite Canyon Trail to the visitor center and hope for help?
The answer was obvious. The trails are dangerous in the day, have steep cliffs you could fall off of and the wild animals. In the night we not only would not be able to see where we are putting our feet on this trail but we would also not see any dangerous wild animals that may be lurking nearby. The monument is home to many animals, Mountain Lion, Javalinas, Coyotes, Black Bears . . also Bobcats and Jaguars although there are very few sightings . . . .
So, Lower Ryolite Canyon Trail we hiked. Once we got down it was almost dark. We refilled our water bottles and used the bathroom, stopped to have a snack. Didn't matter now, if we walked up the road or through the mountain, it was going to be dark, we could only pray for a nice moonlight . . . . which did not happen. We started up the road hoping that would be safer and some cars passed us. They must have thought we were campers. No one stopped to ask if we needed any help. We walked about 1/12 miles up the road and could barely see anything. This is where I started to panic. The kids are 11 and 8 and images of a bog giant cat snatching them in the darkness and dragging them away with no chance of help with our lack of vision was playing in my head so vividly that I insisted we turned around and went back to the camp ground we had seen at the beginning near the Visitors center. The weather had dropped and I was now cold and scared . . thankfully the kids were only cold but my fear was not contagious. The temperatures have dropped to 53 degrees now and we left our jackets in the truck.
About 1/2 mile walking back in the direction opposite of our truck, two vehicles were driving towards us. The park Ranger was headed up to look at the stars though a telescope. I felt so lucky at that moment. He was kind enough to allow us all to pile in the back of his truck and take us the 5 miles back up to Echo Canyon parking lot where our truck was located.
The day was incredible! The night was pretty amazing too, although I was more scared than ever. Next time we know to pack for possibilities as well. Here are some pictures of this beautiful place.
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| Donald Duck |
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| Mushroom Rock |
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| Duck on a Rock |
This is great. Everything stands out beautifully and the writing is great as well. I am looking forward to watching your talent unfold.
ReplyDeleteGlad it is looking better and is easier to see!!
ReplyDeleteNow I just need to make sure I maintain it so we can see my growth! :)
This is neat. Glad we have artsie stuff in common! <3