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Arizona

Hiking Southeast Arizona’s Sky Islands & Chiricahua Mountains

Program No. 2105RJ
Go off the beaten path and explore the Chiricahua Mountains, where you’ll hike alongside experts and learn about native wildlife, ancient geology and the region’s frontier story.
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Walking/HikingOutdoor AdventuresSmall GroupNature & Environment
Length
7 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,249

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
18 meals ( 6B, 6L, 6D )
5 expert-led lectures
13 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
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.
Dinner:
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.
Evening:
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.
Activity Note
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.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
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.
Lunch:
Along the trail, we’ll enjoy nutritious sack lunches prepared by a local restaurant as we enjoy the unique beauty of the area.
Afternoon:
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 with a visit to the Chiricahua Regional Museum where our expert will show us around the informative displays or a visit to Cochise Lake to view waterfowl.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
We’ll then return to the hotel with the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Activity Note
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.
Breakfast:
At the Hotel.
Morning:
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.
Lunch:
As we take in the majestic beauty of the area along the trail, we’ll enjoy a nutritious lunch prepared by a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
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.
Dinner:
A catered dinner will be served in Portal with coffee, tea, and water included. Following dinner the group will board the vans to return to Willcox.
Evening:
We’ll then return to the hotel. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.
Activity Note
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.
Breakfast:
Early hotel buffet.
Morning:
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.
Lunch:
Along the trail, we’ll enjoy lunches that were prepared by a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll enjoy a presentation on the geology of Texas Canyon given by a geologist, who is also the retired head of the Arizona Geological Survey and know for having a unique and easy-to-understand teaching style. We will head back down the Cochise Stronghold trail to the trailhead to complete our hike. We'll board the vans for transfer to Dragoon Springs for a visit to Butterfield Stage Station. The area is known for the First Battle of Dragoon Springs, in which three Confederate soldiers were killed by Apaches (the only Confederates known to have been killed in battle in Arizona). The stage station was also the site of a vicious attack on the white construction workers by a group of three Mexican laborers. Silas St. John, the lone survivor, told a tale of amazing survival that has to be heard where it happened to be truly appreciated.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
Returning to hotel, the evening is at leisure ..
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans; driving about 147 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time. Hiking about 5 miles total, approximately 4 hours; moderately steep hiking, almost all downhill, multiple switchbacks down to pass below.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
Transferring from the hotel, we’ll make our way to the Pinaleno Mountains for a 2.4 mile guided hike on the Grant Hill Loop Trail. At the conclusion of the hike, we'll board the vans to Shannon Campground for lunch and a brief presentation given by a 5th-generation Gila Valley resident. Our expert will speak about the history and management of the Pinaleno Mountains and focus on the early human history of the mountain.
Lunch:
At Shannon Campground, we’ll have packed lunches and an opportunity to take in the ambience of the area.
Afternoon:
Following lunch and the presentation, there will be a guided 2.2-mile hike on the Arcadia Trail to Eagle Rock. The group will then board the vans for a transfer to Roper Lake State Park. Roper Lake is a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy the wildlife and views in the area. Nice restroom facilities are present.
Dinner:
At a favorite local dining area in Safford.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
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.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
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.
Lunch:
Along the trail, we’ll enjoy the spectacular views as we relax and enjoy the packed lunches that were prepared by a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Both groups will continue on their respective hikes until reaching the vans at the bottom. We’ll rendezvous and return back to the hotel.
Dinner:
At a local dining facility. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At Leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Activity – Driving approx. 60 miles roundtrip for both activity choices; about 1 hour total. Hikes: Walking approx. 1.5 miles or 3 miles roundtrip on well maintained trails approx 2 -3 hours. Amerind Presentation followed by self-guided tour. Sack Lunch at Amerind. Hotel check-out by 1:15 p.m. Shuttle departs for Tucson at 12:30 p.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will transfer to Texas Canyon and the Amerind Museum for a 3-mile guided hike followed by a presentation by museum docent and a self-led exploration. The trails are an amazing way of experiencing the iconic and captivating landscape of Texas Canyon. The stone pillars, balanced rocks, slabs, grottos, spires, and fractured joints within the trail system are the result of millions of years of geological activity and weathering of quartz monzonite that crystalized underground. As the land surface slowly eroded, the harder granite intrusion was exposed to the elements that would shape them into the bizarre forms seen today. The museum displays archaeological artifacts from the Amerind property by founder William Shirley Fulton. There are ethnographic items from different indigenous peoples ranging from Alaska to South America. Items on display include jewelry, baskets, weapons, cradleboards, religious artifacts, figurative items, ceramics and pottery, and art.
Lunch:
At the conclusion of our hike, we’ll enjoy sack lunches prepared by a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Participants transferring to Tucson International Airport will be shuttled to Tucson from the Amerind Museum. A van will return all other participants to the hotel. 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!
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