Kartchner Caverns & Guindani Loop Trail

When we arrived at Kartchner Caverns last Tuesday, we spent time in the park's Discovery Center and learned a good bit about the caverns that are just under the park land. We then studied the long range forecast and identified Sunday, today, having the possibility of clouds and rain. We then made reservations for a cavern tour today.

The cavern tour was 1 hour and 45 minutes long and, although we are not "cavers",we thoroughly enjoyed the tour. We were particularly impressed with the steps that the Arizona Parks Service is taken to safeguard the caverns for future study and to protect the bats that raise their young in the caverns.

Unfortunately, no cameras of any kind, or electronic devices, are allowed in the caverns. More information about Kartchner Caverns can be found here -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartchner_Caverns_State_Park

and, pictures from the caverns can be seen here-
https://www.google.com/search?q=kartchner+caverns&biw=1361&bih=680&site=webhp&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjimLv78ovSAhVDHGMKHWcpAmMQsAQIUA

This afternoon we had time to hike the longer of the two trails out of Kartchner Caverns State Park. On Wednesday we had hiked the Foothills Loop Trail and today we headed out on the Guindani Loop Trail into the Coronado National Forest.

Initially we hiked through Chihuahuan semi-desert grassland the has been invaded by mesquite trees and grasses. The trail then winds into Guindani Canyon and then climbs the ridge between Guidani Canyon and Middle Canyon.

When we reached the saddle between the canyons we had a spectacular view of the San Pedro Valley and surrounding mountain ranges.

We were almost at eye level with the bluff up behind the campground.

The trail then turns east and heads back toward the campground.

Another impressive view of the mountains and the play of sunlight and clouds as some heavy weather began to roll in. (We are now experiencing a thunder storm.)

The route back to the Park was mostly downhill and it joined an old road left over from a tungsten mining operation which occurred in this area during the 1930's through the 1950's. The enlarged picture shows two of the mine openings just above the grey gravel tailings.

Today's hike:

Length - 4.30 miles

Duration - 2 hours, 5 minutes

Elevation gain - 960 feet (110 floors on the Fitbit)