Hike Snowshed Peak, Chiricahua Peak, Flys Peak Loop Coronado National Forest, AZ

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Chiricahua Peak is an ultra-prominent summit in southeastern Arizona, the high point of its namesake range. I first hiked it from the west ten years ago, and realizing how long it had been sparked a few profanities about how fast time flies. Christian had never been to the area, so he was game to try a new-to-me route, which meant approaching from the east this time. This also gave us a chance to check out Winn Falls, a seasonal waterfall that had been on my to-do list for years. Over time, it had taken on a life of its own in my mind, creating expectations that were probably a bit inflated.

Most visitors to this remote part of Arizona stick to Chiricahua National Monument, the gateway to the range and a must-see for its striking rock spires. While the taller reaches of the range don’t have quite the same level of trail maintenance or visual rocky splendor, there’s still plenty to see, and lots of peaks to get.

Comparing the two loop routes now that I’ve approached Chiricahua Peak from both the west and east, I feel confident saying the east side (this route) is more interesting, though longer. I won’t even link to my old report since it’s ancient and likely not very helpful, and the views from this direction are much better anyway. Plus, the drive in through Portal, AZ, and along Cave Creek is beautiful.

Any car can make it to the trailhead, though it’s a bit of a schlep to get way out here from any sizable town. We started our hike along the Basin Trail (#600), following it briefly until a junction with the Herb Martyr Trail (#247). This trail meandered next to the lightly flowing Cave Creek, a peaceful way to start a long hiking day. It climbed at a reasonable grade south toward Snowshed Peak, still quite a ways off. Cliffs began to rise along the slopes opposite us, and Silver Peak became visible in the distance.

We reached the junction with the Snowshed Trail (#246) higher up and followed it as it skirted the southern slopes of Snowshed Peak. The trail became more brushy here, enough to scratch up my legs a bit, etching its way slowly along a steep, sun-exposed hillside. Still, the views back into the canyon and out toward the southern Chiricahuas made up for it.

Snowshed Peak rose above us, and the trail wrapped around to its western saddle (Snowshed Saddle) before the final push to the summit. From here, it remained fairly well-defined all the way to the top, which offered great views just beyond the high point.

We continued toward Chiricahua Peak. We had considered taking the Aspen Trail but worried it might be too overgrown, so we opted instead for the slightly more circuitous Crest Trail, which loops around a lump on the ridge. We reached the southeastern saddle of Chiricahua Peak, where the trail faded a bit on the way to the summit, but we were able to navigate the forested slope without any real bushwhacking.

The summit of Chiricahua Peak was forested and boring, but since we’d had great views all day, it wasn’t a disappointment. We descended the north side of the peak on a well-worn trail, rejoining the Crest Trail as we made our way toward Ward Peak.

At one point, we left the Crest Trail and bushwhacked up to Ward Peak. It was annoying enough to slow us down a bit, but not enough to matter, and we reached the summit quickly. However, the deadfall on the north side of Ward was worse, and we had to push through some stubborn young aspen groves. It is probably a better idea just to backtrack a bit and take the trail.

At the base of Flys Peak, our final summit, we passed through a small clearing labeled Round Park and picked up the Flys Peak Trail. Like Chiricahua, the summit was mostly forested. We backtracked to Cima Saddle and took the Greenhouse Trail, which was in great shape as it followed a creek until reaching expansive views to the northeast.

A series of tight switchbacks led us down toward Winn Falls. As we approached the falls, we admired the dramatic cliff face, but it was a bit of a letdown to find it dry during our visit. We continued down the Greenhouse Trail until the final leg of our hike, which followed a long stretch of gravel road converted into a footpath, leading us all the way back to the road we’d driven in on.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Snowshed Peak

9661 ft

383 rise

Chiricahua Peak

9776 ft

5156 rise

Ward Peak

9575 ft

313 rise

Flys Peak

9673 ft

451 rise

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Starting along the Basin Trail.

Pretty hiking along the Basin Trail, Cave Creek lightly flowing.

Taking the Herb Martyr Trail.

We started to see some cool cliffs on the adjacent slopes.

Switchback along the Herb Martyr Trail. Silver Peak seen in the distance.

Though forested, there are plenty of nice views along the way up the Herb Martyr Trail.

The trail was in good shape overall. Distant Silver Peak seen left of center.

Junction with the Snowshed Trail.

The Snowshed Trail took us to the southern slope of Snowshed Peak's ridgeline. It became much more brushy here.

Looking back along the Snowshed Trail.

It was never all that bad, but my legs got scratched a bit. The views were great into the canyon and toward the southern Chiricahuas.

Snowshed Peak above. The trail wraps around to its western saddle before ascending.

Another shot back along the trail.

Approaching Snowshed Saddle.

The trail was defined enough to follow to the summit of Snowshed Peak, seen ahead.

Almost to the summit, view back. Chiricahua Peak right of center.

Forest walking to the high point.

Snowshed Peak summit, view east.

Close-up toward Cave Creek and the hamlet of Portal, AZ.

Onward toward Chiricahua Peak. We thought the Aspen Trail might be too overgrown to follow, but so we took the Crest Trail instead.

Close-up toward Raspberry Peak and Paint Rock across the canyon.

Chiricahua Peak ahead.

The summit trail from the southeast mostly disappeared, but the it was just a forested slope without bushwhacking.

Forested summit of Chiricahua Peak.

Descending the north side of Chiricahua Peak on a well-defined trail.

Along the Crest Trail, headed toward Ward Peak next.

View back toward Chiricahua Peak.

Along the Crest Trail, going north.

View back toward Chiricahua Peak.

We left the Crest Trail to bushwhack up Ward Peak, seen ahead.

It wasn't bad enough to be annoying, and we made quick work to this lump of a summit.

Flys Peak seen ahead. The deadfall was much worse on the north side of Ward Peak, and young aspen groves were a bit annoying.

We passed through Round Park at the base of Fly Peak.

Along the Flys Peak Trail, looking back toward Ward Peak.

Flys Peak summit, view south toward Ward and Chiricahua.

Close-up toward Cochise Head to the north.

We backtracked to Cima Saddle and took the Greenhouse Trail.

A pleasant hike down with some running water.

The trail opened into wonderful views northeast. Silver Peak seen on the left.

A bunch of tight switchbacks led down toward Winn Falls.

Approaching Winn Falls along the Greenhouse Trail.

The impressive face that Winn Falls tumbles over. Sadly, it was dry on our visit.

Winn Falls.

Continuing down the Greenhouse Trail.

View back toward some nice formations. We came down from the left somewhere.

A sign for the Greenhouse Trail.

Passing some off-limits cabin.

A significant walk along a gravel road converted to foot trail took us back to the paved.

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!