Heart of Rocks, Inspiration Point, Echo Canyon via Rhyolite Canyon in Chiricahua National Monument, AZ

Hike Heart of Rocks, Inspiration Point, Echo Canyon via Rhyolite Canyon Chiricahua National Monument, AZ

Class 1 13.2 miles 2600 gain 5-7 hrs Loop Apr 5, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

This is a big loop that visits most of the best hoodoos within Chiricahua National Monument. For a shorter hike that visits the most densely-populated rock formations, check out the Echo Canyon – Hailstone Loop, though you get the best stuff on this hike. I started along the Lower Rhyolite Canyon Trail, which gradually ascended along the south side of the canyon. Intially the trail is forested, but the views get progressively better toward the hoodoo formations on the north side, across the canyon. The trail met a junction. Left would lead up the Upper Rhyolite Trail (the way I'd be returning later), and right led to the Heart of Rocks by taking the Sarah Deming Trail. This trail leads south and ascends to a junction with the Heart of Rocks Loop.

The Heart of Rocks Loop is probably the featured area of the hike. There are many named rock hoodoos to look out for, including things like "Kissing Rocks" and "Big Balanced Rock". The trail leaves the Sarah Deming Trail and heads north, creating a short detour loop that winds around amongst the formations. Once back at the junction with the Sarah Deming Trail after completing the small loop, I continued east along the Mushroom Rock Trail. A short detour to Inspiration Point was definitely worthwhile, the immense viewpoint overlooking Rhyolite Canyon and all the hoodoos that line the canyons.

After checking out Inspiration Point, I headed north along the Ed Riggs Trail. This trail led through a canyon and down into the head of Rhylolite Canyon. It then ascends north out of Rhyolite Canyon and up to a spur trail leading to Massai Point. This overlook is popular due to its proximity to the road, and the view is great. I continued along the popular Echo Canyon Trail which led through really cool formations complete with grottos and narrow passages. The trail brought me to a junction, where I followed the Upper Rhyolite Trail back down to the Lower Rhyolite Trail and took this back the way I came to my car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Massai Point
6880 ft
120 rise

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Starting along the Rhyolite Canyon Trail.
Starting along the Rhyolite Canyon Trail.
Image 1 from gallery
Most of the formations are visible on the opposite side of the canyon - the more up-close and personal stuff didn't really show until well into the hike.
Most of the formations are visible on the opposite side of the canyon - the more up-close and personal stuff didn't really show until well into the hike.
Along the Sara Deming Trail, view back toward Ryholite Canyon.
Along the Sara Deming Trail, view back toward Ryholite Canyon.
Ascending to the Heart of Rocks Loop Trail, a short loop that takes a detour from the Sara Deming Trail.
Ascending to the Heart of Rocks Loop Trail, a short loop that takes a detour from the Sara Deming Trail.
Starting the Heart of Rocks Loop.
Starting the Heart of Rocks Loop.
Entering the Heart of Rocks. Close-up of Kissing Rocks.
Entering the Heart of Rocks. Close-up of Kissing Rocks.
Big Balanced Rock seen at a distance, center.
Big Balanced Rock seen at a distance, center.
Duck on a Rock rock formation.
Duck on a Rock rock formation.
Along the Heart of Rocks loop trail.
Along the Heart of Rocks loop trail.
Kissing Rocks, seen from the opposite side.
Kissing Rocks, seen from the opposite side.
Close-up north toward Cochise Head.
Close-up north toward Cochise Head.
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Heart of Rocks Loop.
Heart of Rocks Loop.
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Image 15 from gallery
Gorgeous rock formations along the Heart of Rocks Loop trail.
Gorgeous rock formations along the Heart of Rocks Loop trail.
The trail wanders around a bit to view many great formations.
The trail wanders around a bit to view many great formations.
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Image 19 from gallery
Image 20 from gallery
The feature called Big Balanced Rock.
The feature called Big Balanced Rock.
Continuing east along the Big Balanced Rock Trail after completing the short detour along the Heart of Rocks Loop Trail.
Continuing east along the Big Balanced Rock Trail after completing the short detour along the Heart of Rocks Loop Trail.
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View toward Cochise Head to the north.
View toward Cochise Head to the north.
Along the Big Balanced Rock Trail.
Along the Big Balanced Rock Trail.
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Image 27 from gallery
Along the Inspiration Point Trail.
Along the Inspiration Point Trail.
Inspiration Point, view west down Rhyolite Canyon.
Inspiration Point, view west down Rhyolite Canyon.
Close-up toward Rhyolite Canyon.
Close-up toward Rhyolite Canyon.
Close-up toward Cochise Head to the north.
Close-up toward Cochise Head to the north.
Image 32 from gallery
Continuing along the Mushroom Rock Trail, heading north.
Continuing along the Mushroom Rock Trail, heading north.
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Mushroom Rock Trail.
Mushroom Rock Trail.
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Junction of the Ed Riggs Trail and the Mushroom Rock Trail. I continued up the Ed Riggs Trail to reach Massai Point above.
Junction of the Ed Riggs Trail and the Mushroom Rock Trail. I continued up the Ed Riggs Trail to reach Massai Point above.
Image 39 from gallery
Great formations along the Ed Riggs Trail.
Great formations along the Ed Riggs Trail.
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Image 42 from gallery
Hiking along the Ed Riggs Trail.
Hiking along the Ed Riggs Trail.
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Image 45 from gallery
Cool scenery on the Ed Riggs Trail. Fewer massive rock formations and more of an open vibe with cool formations set a bit away from the trail.
Cool scenery on the Ed Riggs Trail. Fewer massive rock formations and more of an open vibe with cool formations set a bit away from the trail.
Image 47 from gallery
Along the Ed Riggs Trail.
Along the Ed Riggs Trail.
Ascending to Massai Point.
Ascending to Massai Point.
Massai Point, an overlook.
Massai Point, an overlook.
View from Massai Point.
View from Massai Point.
Close-up south from Massai Point.
Close-up south from Massai Point.
Sugarloaf Mountain visible to the northwest.
Sugarloaf Mountain visible to the northwest.
Descending along the Echo Canyon Trial.
Descending along the Echo Canyon Trial.
Great features on the Echo Canyon Trail.
Great features on the Echo Canyon Trail.
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Image 57 from gallery
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Image 59 from gallery
Echo Canyon Trail.
Echo Canyon Trail.
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Image 62 from gallery
Image 63 from gallery
View back as I descend along the Upper Rhyolite Trail.
View back as I descend along the Upper Rhyolite Trail.
Views along the way.
Views along the way.
Along the Upper Rhyolite Trail, heading west.
Along the Upper Rhyolite Trail, heading west.
Upper Rhyolite Trail.
Upper Rhyolite Trail.
I met up with the Rhyolite Canyon junction, completing the loop, and followed the trail back the way I came.
I met up with the Rhyolite Canyon junction, completing the loop, and followed the trail back the way I came.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!