Portal, AZ - Rodeo, NM

Maples. maples, maples. Purple leaves, red leaves, orange leaves, yellow leaves, green leaves. tunnels of leaves. Seven hikers headed for South Fork to see some fall color, following the creek through the riparian corridor upstream for as many as 5 1/2  miles. As we walked, we encountered more and more colorful trees and the effect was just stunning. We were so impressed by all the maple color in this narrow canyon with tall rhyolite cliffs that several of us thought it was the best hike of the year. If you missed it, you should be sorry! It was a cool day, but not cold, and for the first 4 1/2 miles the trail was in very reasonable shape. (No trees down, John.) Once we got to the above-ground-water, there was water in the stream all the way, but not so much that it made the numerous stream crossings difficult. At this time of year there isn’t a lot of sun in South Fork and we enjoyed the light/dark contrasts as we walked along. 

We did see one Red-tailed Hawk and a mysterious apple. Approximately 4 miles up the trail there is an apple tree that was planted eons ago. Over the years, several hikers have taken grafts from this tree to enjoy South Fork apples in their backyard. As we approached the apple tree we could see it had one big, red apple. But it was too big and not the type that grows on this tree. It was a store-bought apple suspended with dental floss! Someone knew we were coming? We have our suspicions. 

The portion of the South Fork Trail we walked was mostly a gentle climb, perhaps gaining about 1100 feet in elevation to the split at the final creek crossing. Several hikers continued past the split, where the trail begins to climb more steeply, and did some trail maintenance for a mile or so, describing very rough trail. Hikers walked between 8 and 11 miles, depending upon where they turned around, and then there is Ali, who walked from the Research Station to South Fork for an extra 3 miles, for a total of 14. (We gave her a ride home!)

Next week we will meet at the Silver Peak Trailhead at 9:00 a.m. There will either be a high elevation hike (to be chosen by participants) or a lower elevation walk up E. Turkey Creek from the Foothills Road. A decision will be made based upon weather conditions.

Happy trails, Carol

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Chiricahua Trail Crew Volunteer Agreement