Heart of Rocks

As mentioned at the end of yesterday's blog, we did return to Chiricahua National Monument to hike up to the Heart of Rocks loop and view some of the most interesting geological formations that the Monument has to offer. 

The trail began at the Visitor Center parking lot and at first followed the level bottom of Rhyolite Canyon where we were treated to a generous blend of Apache and Chihuahua pines, Arizona cypress, alligator juniper and various species of oak. The route continued up Rhyolite Canyon and, after 1.5 miles, joined the Sarah Deming Canyon Trail. 

This leg of the hike had some rather stately Apache pine forests and a few large Arizona cypress. Coming up out of the Canyon, we began to climb a series of short switchbacks and steps (pictured above) and passed some impressive stone spires.

At the 3.1-mile a right-hand trail continue toward the Big Balanced Rock (above) and on the left was the sign marking the start of the 0,9-mile Heart of Rocks Loop.

The first, and star formation, was Pinnacle Balanced Rock, a massive totem precariously balanced on the side of the trail.

Point of balance.

Other formations included the Camel's Head...

Thor's Hammer...

Punch and Judy...

Duck on a Rock and...

Kissing Rocks.

Half way around the loop we stopped for lunch.

Lunch view taken with the wide-angle lens.

Hiking through the rock formations.

After we completed the Heart of the Rock Loop we returned to the Big Balanced Rock Trail and hiked the quarter mile to the base of this impressive formation. Big Balanced Rock is 22-feet in diameter; weighs 1,000 tons; and, is 25-feet high.

We returned to the trailhead by retracing the Sarah Deming Canyon and Rhyolite Canyon Trails and had this spectacular view down the canyon.

Today's hike;

Length - 7.38 miles

Duration - 4 hours, 45 minutes (including lunch)

Elevation gain - 1,690 feet (172 floors on the Fitbit)