Hydra Trail

This afternoon we set out to explore in more detail this three thousand acre state Park, stopping first at the Visitor Center. Of course we observed that there are similarities between City of Rocks and Chiricahua National Monument. Both are volcanic in origin, only the volcano that created the bedrock for City of Rocks occurred over 35-million years ago; Chiricahua's eruption was 27-million years ago. The pinnacles of City of Rocks are more rounded and isolated. According to the literature that we picked up, "the rock formations at the park are so unique that they are only known to exist in six other places in the world."

After the visit to the Visitor Center we set out on a hike that basically encircled the rocks and also hiked a spur to an observation point. This view of the campground is from the observation point and if you enlarge the picture you mights see the Airstream in the center of the picture.

The trail passed by Table Mountain. There is a trail to the top that we might attempt tomorrow.

Along the trail there were isolated groupings of rocks.

The one on the left looks to be on its way to becoming a "balanced" rock.

This is a view of the main body of rocks from the back side. That's Table Mountain in the background.

This is a view from the south side, just as we were concluding the loop hike.

Today's hike:

Length - 4.88 miles

Duration - 2 hours, 8 minutes

Elevation gain - 340 feet (37 floors on the Fitbit)