South Fork of Cave Creek was in my book and I realized I could just take NF42 up and over from the Chiricahua National Monument to reach the Trail Head. It was about 20 miles from the Monument and the dirt road is in great shape. There is snow up high but it is still fine for travel.

I only hiked the trail to Maple Camp as that is how it is listed in the book and my day was running short. Since this was my first visit to South Fork I didn't have a good reference point. After looking at the photos from others past trips, I can see what it once looked like. For now the one word that comes to mind is "scorched". Don't get me wrong it is still a beautiful place but wow, nothing like before.