If you are looking for a great little vacation with some hiking, mountain biking and birdwatching to boot, then Sunglow is the place to go. (Please note that this trail is on Sunglow Ranch property, so is accessible I am assuming only to patrons.)

Sunglow Ranch is a beautiful, 475-acre resort in southeastern Arizona, nestled right against the base of the Chiricahua Mountains. It is a traditional western guest ranch, but with lots of amenities, including a 45-foot solar heated pool, hot tub, fitness room, bocce and horseshoe courts, a lake for canoeing and more. Horseback riding is also available on site for a charge, but they provide mountain bikes and helmets, fishing equipment, a canoe, binoculars for birdwatching, and more at no charge. A stay at the resort comes with your choice of items at breakfast and dinner off of their menu. These meals are included and prepared by a chef that will make you keep coming back for more, everything is made from scratch (mostly from their garden) and is so good! The owner is a great, laid-back guy who manages the property and at mealtime helps serve and carry on conversation with diners.

OK, but to the hike. The hike is a less than 3-mile hike with minimal elevation gain right at the edge of the forest boundary for the Chiricahua Mountains. The trail passes a couple of lakes on the property that are fed by drainage from Cottonwood Creek, which runs seasonally based on runoff from the Chiricahuas.

On the trail there are a couple of spur to lookout points, and there is an added loop in if you want a great view of the valley below.

A great little trail to go on with the family, with access to several other trails into the Chiricahuas from the ranch.

To find out more about Sunglow Ranch, you can visit them at www.sunglowranch.com
- Aug 05 2011 azdesertfather