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Hike For May 23: Waterfall Of North Fork Of Cave Creek
Meet at the Silver Peak Trailhead at 8:00 a.m. AZ, 9:00 a.m. NM.
Carol Simon (520) 558-2433 casimon@vtc.net
Jonathan Patt (575) 654-3281 jonathanpatt@gmail.com
Elaine Moisan (520) 5581308 emoisan2011@hotmail.com
Chiricahua National Monument
Report by Linda
Photos by Laura
Four hikers gregariously perched like Kookaburras across the bench seat of Al’s trusty 1995 truck for the long ride to Chiricahua National Monument today. As we bumped along we decided to start the hike in the highest reaches of Echo Canyon since this was Laura’s first time hiking in the Monument. We wanted to share the thrill of experiencing the hoodoos, pinnacles, spires, balanced rocks and fanciful stone characters. As we stepped into the rock forest the very air breathed a cool life affirming exhale and the thin clouds held the heat away making our passage more magical. We were graced by an unexpected sighting of a king snake and Trogon on the Echo Canyon Loop which were almost as flashy as the scarlet burst of blooms on the hedgehog cacti dotting the canyon.
Atop Massai Point we enjoyed an impressive view of Cochise Head and the surrounding stone forest while resting against a beautiful rock building housing interpretive plaques about the “mountain islands and grassland seas.” Along the Massai Nature Trail we climbed to Speaker’s Rock—built by the CCC in 1934 for the Monument’s dedication ceremony—and today, minus the railing, it does induce vertigo. We had fun with a spotting instrument there which pinpointed interesting formations like mushroom rock and a very tall spire only 3 feet in diameter.
Inspired by all the elements of a perfect hike we decided to continue and this time Sheila and Laura opted to ride in the open back of the truck. We explored the trail from the visitor’s center after making a few purchases and called it a day as the protective clouds lifted.
Next week, meet at Silver Peak trailhead at 8:00 a.m. AZ / 9:00 a.m. NM. We will bushwhack our way to the waterfall of North Fork of Cave Creek.
Cochise Head
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Addendum:
We recently took the time to review safety items that hikers could carry to help either themselves or another hiker in the case of an accident, or when getting lost, or even just out later than expected. Our group has quite a good safety record (and we never lost anyone permanently) but accidents do happen and some of our hikes are in rugged, remote territory. Here is what we recommend everyone carry:
Space blanket
First aid kit
Matches with fire starter
Whistle
Signalling mirror
Extra layers of clothing
Extra water
Extra food
Knife or multi-tool
Flashlight or headlamp with fresh and spare batteries
Map and compass or GPS
Hat and sunscreen
It is good if someone in the group has:
Lightweight splint
Rope
Duct tape
Cell phone
We have used almost all of these items in various situations. Prepare yourself to be part of a solution.
The 62 Highest Peaks, Mountains, Hills, And Lookouts In The Chiricahuas
(Tabulated by Ray Brooks)
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