Monica's friend Collin was visiting and I suggested the Chiricahuas as one of the coolest hiking/nature spots in southern AZ. We started from the Echo Canyon trailhead and took the Ed Riggs, Mushroom Rock, and Big Balanced Rock trails into the Heart of Rocks loop, then back out the same way. The total distance was 7.3 miles with about 600 feet elevation difference between the lowest and highest points, the highest being around 7000 feet.
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Trail info |
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'Cochise Head', named after the Apache chief, is a prominent feature in the park |
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Snow on the mountians in the distance, which are probably a few thousand feet higher than where we were hiking |
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One of the many balanced rocks we'll be seeing |
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Same as above, but with goofier faces |
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Nice views of a big expanse of rock spires, with the desert floor in the background || || \/ |
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Panorama of images taken from the same spot as above |
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A precariously balanced rock || || \/ |
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One of the many named rocks in the park. This one is called 'Camel Head' |
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Another great overlook || || \/ |
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'Punch and Judy' || || \/ |
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'Duck on a Rock' |
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'Kissing Rocks' |
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Me at the end of the hike, looking directly into the Sun |
