Compare Hiking Southeast Arizona’s Sky Islands & Chiricahua Mountains by Road Scholar

Day 1 Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Willcox, AZ

Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Program Registration 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing an up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. You may wish to take some time to gaze upon the majestic Chiricahua Mountains where we will hike throughout the program.

Orientation. 6:45 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Led by our Group Leader and hiking experts during our hikes throughout the program, we will encounter sites rich in historical, cultural, and natural significance. Transportation throughout the program will be provided primarily by passenger vans, unless otherwise specified. Hiking poles are recommended. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. The remainder of the evening is at leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Arriving by van to a local family-owned restaurant, we’ll have a nutritious and freshly prepared buffet meal with soft drinks, milk, coffee, tea, water.

Day 2 Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Historic Downtown Willcox Willcox, AZ

Driving approx. 66 miles total for the day; about 1.5 hours. Hiking/walking approx. 6.5 miles total throughout the day; about 6.5 hours total on our feet. Fort Bowie National Park hike is approx. 5.5 miles roundtrip; about 5.5 hours total; elevation gain and loss of about 600 feet; rolling hills. Walking approx. 1 mile in Willcox; about 1 hour.

Setting out via vans, we will travel to the scenic Chiricahua Mountains for a day of hiking in Fort Bowie Park. From the trailhead, a Park Ranger will lead us on an interpretive field trip of Fort Bowie National Historic Site. As we walk, we’ll learn about the history of the Butterfield Overland Trail, which ran through this area from 1857 – 1861, through background facts and anecdotes. Our three-hour hike will take us past the original fort, Apache Springs, the Chiricahua Apache Indian Agency, an Apache Wickiup, the post cemetery, and the remains of a Butterfield Stage Coach Station.

At the conclusion of our hike, we’ll transfer to Historic Downtown Willcox for a walking field trip led by a local historian and president of Sulphur Springs Valley Historical Society. Strolling down historic Railroad Avenue, we’ll learn about such landmarks as the restored 1880 Southern Pacific Depot, the Headquarters Saloon (where Warren Earp was killed), and the Willcox Commercial – one of the oldest operating stores in Arizona. We’ll conclude the walking portion with a visit to the Chiricahua Regional Museum where our expert will show us around the informative displays.

We’ll then return to the hotel with the remainder of the evening at leisure.

At the hotel, we’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast buffet featuring a variety of healthy choices including milk, juice, coffee, tea, water.

Along the trail, we’ll enjoy nutritious sack lunches prepared by a local restaurant as we enjoy the unique beauty of the area.

At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a plated meal featuring local cuisine, with soft drinks, coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 3 Chiricahua Mtns. Silver Peak Trail, Ecology, Apache History Willcox, AZ

Driving approx. 161 miles roundtrip; about 3 hours. Hiking approx. 4.5 miles roundtrip on Silver Peak Trail; about 4 hours; some moderately steep sections; elevation gain and loss of about 1,400 feet. Be sure to bring sun protection and plenty of water.

Immediately following breakfast, we’ll load our vans and transfer to the Portal Firehouse’s meeting room where a local wildlife biologist will talk about the ecological significance of the Cave Creek area and the efforts that have been taken to protect the region. To get a closer look at this region on the eastern slope of the Chiricahua Mountains, we’ll set out for a day of hiking along the Silver Peak Trail, which climbs out of Cave Creek Canyon, past the Finger Rocks formation, and into the adjacent Silver Creek Canyon. The Portal, AZ area is ecologically rich and hosts a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Our hike will continue back on the Silver Peak Trail while gazing at the Chiricahua Mountains of Southeastern Arizona, which rise from the desert floor to an elevation of nearly ten thousand feet. Complete with expansive views, towering canyon walls, and a wealth of caves, we’ll have plenty to keep our senses occupied as we return to the trailhead. Next, we will transfer via vans for an afternoon field trip at the Chiricahua Desert Museum. The museum’s live exhibits include over 60 species of wildlife and feature some of the rarest animals, as well as those of threatened and endangered status, native to this Chihuahua Desert. While here, a museum docent will share details about some of the amazing reptiles housed here, before allowing time for independent exploration. Afterwards, we’ll then make our way to the Rodeo Community Center where a local historian, who is also a retired county sheriff and president of the Cochise County Historical Society, will share fascinating stories of the Chiricahua Apaches and Geronimo. He will also talk about the methods he used to locate many of the actual historic sites where Geronimo met with General Crook and General Miles.

We’ll then return to the hotel. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

Hotel buffet.

As we take in the majestic beauty of the area along the trail, we’ll enjoy a nutritious lunch prepared by a local restaurant.

At the Rodeo Community Center, we’ll be treated to an outdoor cowboy BBQ meal, with lemonade, tea, water included.

Day 4 Cochise Stronghold, Amerind Museum, Geology Presentation Willcox, AZ

Driving approx. 109 miles total; about 2.5 hours. Hiking approx. 6.5 miles roundtrip; about 4 hours; some moderately steep terrain; elevation gain and loss of roughly 1,100 feet.

After arriving at the trailhead, we’ll set out to hike Cochise Stronghold Trail to Stronghold Divide. The trail follows the route into the Dragoon Mountains used by Cochise to hide and protect his people from other warring tribes and the U.S. Army. The oak and juniper lined path also has a large number of beautiful rock formations. As we hike, we’ll listen to the tales provided by our hiking leaders and imagine the whispers of those from long ago that are embodied in the superb views of the canyon.

After heading back down the Cochise Stronghold Trail to the trailhead and completing our hike, we’ll transfer to the Amerind Museum for a field trip to see and learn about the impressive collection of Native American art and artifacts. After a short introduction about the museum given by an Amerind docent, we’ll then enjoy time for independent exploration. The museum was founded in 1937 in the Little Dragoon Mountains of Arizona’s Texas Canyon as a research center committed to the preservation and study of indigenous cultures. Following our field trip at the Amerind Museum, we will set out onto the grounds for a walking presentation on the geology of Texas Canyon given by a geologist, who is also the retired head of the Arizona Geological Survey and known for having a unique and easy-to-understand teaching style.

At leisure.

Early hotel buffet.

Along the trail, we’ll enjoy lunches that were prepared by a local restaurant.

At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a plated meal in a beautiful setting, with soft drinks, coffee, tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 5 Pinaleno Mountains, Lady Bug Trail, Stafford, Gila Valley Willcox, AZ

Driving approx. 147 miles; about 3.5 hours. Hiking approx. 5 miles total; about 4 hours; moderately steep hiking, almost all downhill, multiple switchbacks down to pass below.

Transferring from the hotel, we’ll make our way to the Discovery Park Museum and gather in a meeting room for a brief presentation given by a fifth-generation Gila Valley resident. Our expert will talk about the history and management of the Pinaleno Mountains, and focus on the early human history of the mountain. After a short break, we’ll engage in another short presentation, this time by a Safford Ranger District staff member, about wildfires on the mountain and the recovery efforts that are put in place to rejuvenate the environment. Then, we’ll board the van for a field trip to the Pinaleno Mountains, the highest of the “Sky Island Mountains” in southeastern Arizona with the high point, Mount Graham, topping out at 10,724 feet. We'll make our way up the mountain approximately 700 feet to the trailhead via Swift Trail (Arizona Highway 366). Upon arrival at the Shake Trail starting point, we’ll begin making our way down the mountain from a mixed conifer forest all the way to an upper Sonoran Desert habitat. Numerous vantage points along the way will give excellent views of the Sulphur Springs Valley and the other Sky Island mountain ranges in the area.

We’ll continue hiking down Shake Trail to the lower trailhead where we’ll meet our vans, then drive to the neighboring community of Safford where we will return to Discovery Park and enjoy time for independent exploration. Discovery Park contains a number of exhibits relating to science and culture of the Gila Valley, from mining and agriculture to space exploration.

We’ll then return to the hotel. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

Hotel buffet.

In a scenic area along the trail, we’ll have packed lunches and an opportunity to take in the ambience of the area.

At a favorite local dining area in Safford, we’ll have plated meals with soft drinks, milk, coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 6 Hike the Wonderland of Rocks, Chiricahua National Monument Willcox, AZ

Choice of activity – Driving approx. 93 miles roundtrip for both activities; about 2 hours total. Hike 1: Hiking approx. 7.5 miles roundtrip on Heart of Rocks Trail; about 7 hours; roughly 750 feet of elevation gain, followed by a 1,400 foot descent. Hike 2: Hiking approx. 4 miles roundtrip to Massai Point, about 5 hours; mostly downhill, roughly 1,400 foot descent, many rock steps.

Our Group Leaders will outline the details for two different hiking routes for today and the group will divide into smaller groups based on personal hiking preference. After choosing which hike you’d like to go on, the groups will transfer to the trailheads to begin. Hike 1: The Heart of Rocks Trail begins with a mile-long descent from the trailhead into a deep shaded canyon with running water and short Chihuahua pines, stunted by a perpetual shortage of water. As we continue, we’ll see Big Balanced Rock and take a side trip following the footprints painted on the trail to the picturesque Heart of Rocks area. We’ll enjoy wandering through the peculiar geological formations throughout the area before making our way back to the Visitor Center. Hike 2: Beginning in the same area as the Heart of Rocks Trail, Echo Canyon Trail meanders through the “Grottos,” an area in which the trail builders have carved a route through the spires and cliffs that make up the Echo Canyon area. Wall Street, a section of the trail that makes its way between close rock walls and boulders, is a beautiful showcase of the land’s geological features. Making our way away from the hoodoos and farther down into Echo Park, we’ll descend into a lovely shaded canyon. After crossing a small creek, we’ll then make our way up and out of the canyon, through Rhyolite Canyon, and back to the Visitor Center.

Both groups will continue on their respective hikes until reaching the vans at the bottom. We’ll rendezvous and return back to the hotel.

A local naturalist and popular storyteller will join us at our dinner location to perform an evening of interesting tales and songs.

Hotel buffet.

Along the trail, we’ll enjoy the spectacular views as we relax and enjoy the packed lunches that were prepared by a local restaurant.

At a local dining facility, we’ll enjoy catered plated meals during a special evening. Coffee, tea, water included; feel free to bring other beverages on your own.

Day 7 Muleshoe Ranch Preserve, Program Concludes Willcox, AZ

Choice of activity – Driving approx. 60 miles roundtrip for both activity choices; about 1.5 hours total. Hike 1: Walking approx. 4 miles roundtrip in Bass Canyon; about 3 hours; rolling hills, approx. 250 feet in elevation change. Hike 2: Walking approx. 1 mile roundtrip on Muleshoe Nature Trail; about 1.5 hours; canyon floor, approx. 100 feet in elevation change. Hotel check-out by 1:15 p.m.

Our Group Leaders will outline the details for two different hiking routes for today and the group will divide into smaller groups based on personal hiking preference. After choosing which hike you’d like to go on, the groups will transfer to the trailheads to begin. Both trails begin and end at the Muleshoe Ranch Headquarters. Hike 1: Setting out along the Hot Springs Wash Loop Trail, we’ll begin following an old 4-wheel-drive road until it comes to Bass Canyon. From here, the trail departs from the road and follows along a beautiful stream with numerous sycamore and cottonwood trees before arriving at Hot Springs Canyon. We’ll follow the route along the canyon bottom until it intersects the Muleshoe Nature Loop Trail, which we will take back to the ranch headquarters. Hike 2: For those desiring a more relaxing final morning of the program, the Muleshoe Nature Trail makes a gradual loop down Hot Springs Canyon and provides numerous spots along the way to enjoy the peacefulness and scenic beauty of the area.

We’ll then return to the hotel and check out. This concludes our program. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Hotel buffet.

At the conclusion of our hike, we’ll enjoy sack lunches prepared by a local restaurant.