Summary:
Explore a ‘Wonderland of Rocks’ on a circuit past weathered stone stacks and pinnacles.

Take Echo Canyon Trail for 1.6 miles to the fork and bear right onto Upper Rhyolite Trail. Continue descending alongside Rhyolite Creek, crossing the creek several times. There is one section of climbing after the last crossing. Woodland of oak and pine is predominant in this area.

After 1.1 miles, turn right into Sarah Deming Canyon. After climbing through more shaded woodland on the 1.5 mile Sarah Deming Trail, turn left into the Heart of Rocks area. A 0.9 mile loop leads past formations with names such as Punch and Judy and Duck on a Rock. Rejoin the main trail and turn left onto Heart of Rocks Trail.

Soon you pass Big Balanced Rock as you climb for 1 mile. Now turn left onto the 0.5 mile spur to Inspiration Trail. As the name suggests, the views are wonderful – to the west, the entire length of Rhyolite Canyon is laid out before you.

Back on the main trail once more, continue through pine and fir for 1.2 miles, enjoying views of rock sculptures such as Totem Pole. At the next junction – with Hailstone Trail – keep right. The circuit is now coming to an end. Climb to the final junction in 0.7 miles and keep left – there is now just a short walk to the trailhead at Echo Canyon parking area.

Directions: From Tucson, head east on I-10 for 81 miles to Willcox. Take Hwy 186 south-east for 31 miles, then turn left for the short drive into the National Monument. Beyond the entrance station, Bonita Canyon Drive passes the visitor center and climbs 1,500 ft through juniper and pine forests to Massai Point.

Trailhead: Echo Canyon parking area, off Bonita Canyon Drive just before Massai Point.

Length: 9.3 miles / 14.9 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: -800 ft / -244 m
Total ascent approx 1,500 ft/457 m.

Duration: 5 hours

Trail Condition: Maintained and easy to follow.

Features: Rock formations; oak, pine and fir forests; creek, canyon views.

Climate: Hiking possible year-round – best in spring and autumn. Hot temperatures and thunderstorms in summer. Winter may bring heavy snowfall.

Accommodation: Year-round tent and RV camping (first-come, first-served) inside the Monument.

Trail Notes: Trail maps available at the visitor center.

Summary:
In the Chiricahua Mountains, towering stone stacks and lush forest rise from a land of arid desert and grasslands.

Echo Canyon Trail descends south-west past stunning scenery – sentinels of rock stand tall amongst the lush green of pine trees. After passing an area of particularly dense forest known as Echo Park, the trail ends in 1.6 miles/2.6 km at a fork.

To loop back, bear left (east) onto Hailstone Trail. The right fork – Upper Rhyolite Trail – will access Heart of Rocks/Inspiration Point for a much longer circuit.

The 0.8 mile/1.3 km, mainly level Hailstone Trail gets its name from the volcanic hailstones that can be seen about half way along. At the end, keep left at the junction, and left again at the next in 0.7 miles/1.1km. There is now just a short walk back to the trailhead.

For another short but rewarding hike, head to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. The trail begins at the end of the spur road at the base of the mountain, and climbs to one of the highest elevations in the area. Not surprisingly, the views from the 7,310-ft summit are vast. 1.9 miles/3 km out and back, 470 ft/143 m ascent.

Directions: From Tucson, head east on I-10 for 81 miles to Willcox. Take Hwy 186 south-east for 31 miles, then turn left for the short drive into the National Monument. Beyond the entrance station, Bonita Canyon Drive passes the visitor center and climbs 1,500 ft through juniper and pine forests to Massai Point.

Trailhead: Echo Canyon parking area. Just before Massai Point, turn right off Bonita Canyon Drive onto a spur road to Sugarloaf Mountain – the parking area is just a short way along, on the left.

Length: 3.3 miles / 5.3 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: -450 ft / -137 m
Climbs on return to trailhead.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Trail Condition: Maintained and easy to follow.

Features: Rock formations, oak and pine forest.

Climate: Hiking possible year-round – best in spring and autumn. Hot temperatures and thunderstorms in summer. Winter may bring heavy snowfall.

Accommodation: Year-round tent and RV camping (first-come, first-served) inside the Monument. Lodging in Willcox.

Trail Notes: Trail maps available at the visitor center.