Hike Detail Sheet,  Hikes,  Upper Intermediate

CHIRICAHUA BIG LOOP (UI)

Date:March 20,2024Destination:Big Loop
Level:UIArea:Chiricahua National Mounument
Approx hike distance in miles:9Hike leader:Bruce Odegaard
Low to high elevation gain:1420Hike leader phone:(206) 396-5472
Accum elevation gain in feet:Hike leader email:bodegaard1@aol.com
Departure time - Union Center parking lot:Please arrive 10 minutes early to check in
Recommended gas donation:$10
Unpaved miles:Park entry fee per vehicle:Yes, per car or National Park Pass
Road conditions:GoodWebsite for reference info:https://nps.gov/chir/index/htm.
High clearance vehicle req'd:NoTrailhead GPS coordinates:32.0054'N,109.3535'W


TRAIL CONDITIONS

Maintained Trail:YesUneven Footing:Yes
Steep Side Drop-offs:NoSteep Trail:
Yes
Off Trail (scratchy):NoSlippery Trail Surfaces:No
Use of Hands Required:NoBoulder Hopping:No
Difficulty :ModerateWater Crossings:No
Restrooms at Trailhead:YesGloves Required:No

Special Instructions:

This hike is filled with exciting views around every corner. Don’t let the elevation scare you. It’s not an elevation gain but an elevation decrease. The hike will be mostly downhill with a few uphill spots mixed in. The loop is really a figure eight. It consists of the Echo, Hailstone, Mushroom Rock, Balanced Rock, Heart of Rocks Loop, and Sarah Deming trails. Please note that there is no gas near the monument, so gas up in Wilcox. Bring snacks and water.

Directions:

Beginning at the Holiday Inn Express in Willcox, 1251 Virginia Avenue.  Head W on North Circle I Road toward Virginia Avenue. Turn left on Virginia Avenue. In .2 miles, turn left onto Fort Grant Rd. In 1.3 miles turn right onto AZ 186 E/N Haskell Avenue(signs for I-10 Business) In .7 miles turn left onto AZ 186 E/E Maley Street.  Follow AZ 186 for 31 miles.  Turn left onto AZ 181 E and continue 5.2 miles.  Turn right to stay on Bonita Canyon Road.  Enter the Chiricahua National Monument Visitor Center.