Today was a challenging day, but OH, SO WORTH IT! We chose the Echo Canyon – Heart of the Rocks Trail for our hike. The trail guide said it was easier than leaving from the visitor’s center so we drove up to the trailhead Echo Canyon parking lot. On the way Tobey and I both thought this rock formation looked like Scooby Doo!
Wearing coats, hats, and gloves we started off from the parking lot Trail and were soon shedding layers as the day warmed.
The Echo Canyon Loop Trail was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936-37. It was engineered by Ed Riggs and is still considered a masterpiece of trail design. With so many choices at the trailhead, we opted to follow the Ed Riggs Trail to Hunt Canyon, Big Balanced Rock Trail, then on to the Heart of the Rock before returning on the same route.
We dropped into the canyon and were soon marveling at all of the different rock formations as well as views of Arizona cypress and Douglas firs. 
We thought this looked a little like ET.
This formation looked like an ice cream cone. I hope it was dipped in chocolate!
As the rocks weather and erode, the joints widen and cavities form along the weak zones. Unusual columns, “totem poles,” and balanced rocks result from the continuing erosion. 
About an hour into the hike, I was still smiling!
There are several “balanced” rocks along the trail and Tobey tried tipping one over. No luck!
I thought this looked like a crazy chicken face looking at us as we passed by.
We had beautiful views of Hunt Canyon. 
This is Mushroom Rock along the Hunt Canyon.J
Just past the junction to Inspiration Point the trail name changes to Big Balanced Rock Trail. We had a great view of Big Balanced Rock.
The rock is 22 feet in diameter, 25 feet tall, and weighs an estimated 1000 tons!
Before we knew it, we had arrived at the Heart of the Rock Loop. We had been hiking for about three hours so we decided to stop for lunch before doing the loop and heading back. Okay, is this a person or an animal? What are your thoughts?? I think it kind of looks like a person thinking.
Fortified with lunch, we continued on. The trail guides recommend you do the loop in a clockwise direction for best views and easiest walking. SO …. this is the beginning of the trail! I wondered how bad it would be going the opposite direction if this was easiest!
It turns out that while there were definitely some steep climbs, it was probably easier. The formation below is “Pinnacle Balanced Rock.”
Sometimes it wasn’t easy to see which way the trail went around the rocks. Into the slot … dead end! It was just to the left.
This was called “The Old Maid”. I guess I see a resemblance! Could be an old man.
We also had a great view of the Camel’s Head and Thor’s Hammer.
Another unnamed formation, maybe lizard heads?
This might be a lion cub head. What do you think?
Does this look like a bear to you? Yogi, maybe? We could also see Cochise in the distance beyond the rhyolite canyon.
The next named formation was “Punch and Judy,” but I’m not sure if I see it. In front of it, Tobey thought it looked like praying hands.
Duck on a Rock was next up. The duck was trying to catch the moon.
We soon spotted the Kissing Rocks. 
We rounded the bend and started back up the trail. One last look back and Tobey decided this formation on the left reminded him of a character from The Simpsons TV show!
Six hours later, we were back to the parking lot where we took off the boots and put our feet up for a while! It was a long day, but so amazing! We hiked 7-1/2 miles and had about 1500 feet in elevation gain. Not bad!! We only saw 20 other people the entire day.
On the way back to the campground we made one final stop at the Organ Pipe Formation along the Bonita Canyon Drive.
Some of the columns look like there is NOTHING holding them up!
Back at our campsite, we had dinner and settled in for the night and will sleep well! We will see if our legs and feet have anything left in them tomorrow for more hiking!
No comments:
Post a Comment