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Dennis and I are planning our more-or-less annual backpacking trip to the Chiricahua Mountains September 23-25. Because of the extreme isolation, it's safer and lots more fun to make this trip with a group.

We're planning on leaving Tucson early Saturday morning and doing a 15-mile loop in three days from Herb Martyr Picnic Area via Basin Trail, Snowshed Trail, Chiricahua Crest and Greenhouse Trail. This route takes up and over the Chiricahua Crest, a long +9000 foot ridge, and past 345-foot Winn Falls. We'll camp Saturday night at Pine Park and Sunday night at Anita Park, and return to Tucson Monday afternoon.

We only hike about 4-8 miles/day so obviously we are stopping often to smell the flowers and whatever else Mother Nature has to offer. Last year we were joined by several friends who hiked at varying speeds so we had predetermined camping spots and otherwise everyone came and went as they pleased.

Temperatures should be 40s at night and 70s during the day. There is reliable water at Juniper Spring and Anita Park.

There are photos of last year's hike on my web site at http://www.desertlavender.com/chiricahu ... _crest.asp

We just did part of your planned trip this past weekend (9/16-9/18 ). We didn't check out all the springs but found water at Juniper, Eagle and Anita springs, several seeps had flowing water throughout the wilderness. The creek that starts next to Greenhouse cabin had real good flow. The temperatures at Anita Park dropped to the low 30's at night and the Aspen have started to change color. Have a great time and hopefully for you Anita Park won't have the 30+ people that stayed their on our 1st night!

Wow, thanks for the great recent info on water, etc.! I'm very surprised about the number of campers at Anita Park since last time we only saw five other hikers in three days. Were they all with a group?

Did you go? What was it like? I have not been since before the fires.

We went, but we did not complete the loop! See http://www.desertlavender.com/chiricahu ... _trail.asp. The trail is very steep and in pretty bad shape (burnt timber and waist-high burning nettle). Views are so-so until you get past the waterfall (which is lovely). We backtracked in the morning after getting caught in heavy rain and getting a little to close to a mountain lion. I will not hike in this area again unless it's the Crest Trail and/or I have lots of company.