username
X
password
register
for free!
help
ArticlesGuidesRoutes
 
Photosets
 
 Comments
triplogs   photosets   labels comments more
Bonita Creek Trail - Chiricahua N.M. - 6 members in 13 triplogs have rated this an average 3.2 ( 1 to 5 best )
13 triplogs
login for filter options
Apr 01 2021
avatar

 Guides 4
 Photos 542
 Triplogs 573

46 male
 Joined Oct 19 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Silver Spur Meadow TrailTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 01 2021
Charger55Triplogs 573
Hiking3.60 Miles 236 AEG
Hiking3.60 Miles   3 Hrs      1.20 mph
236 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
These two trails comprise the only dog-friendly trails in the monument. While I would've preferred hiking amongst the hoodoos, my partner and I still had a good time. These trails are great for birding, history and watching deer.
_____________________
"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road"
  2 archives
May 30 2019
avatar

 Guides 187
 Routes 989
 Photos 12,068
 Triplogs 864

72 male
 Joined Jun 27 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Lower Rhyolite Lower Bonita Canyon Trails, AZ 
Lower Rhyolite Lower Bonita Canyon Trails, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 30 2019
markthurman53Triplogs 864
Hiking7.55 Miles 820 AEG
Hiking7.55 Miles   3 Hrs   11 Mns   2.85 mph
820 ft AEG      32 Mns Break15 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Last week I did the Upper Rhyolite Canyon Trail but didn't get to do the lower trail so on this trip I did the lower. The lower trail starts at the visitor center and goes 1.5 miles along Rhyolite Creek to the Sarah Deming Trail. Fairly easy hike with a steady gradual climb of 570 feet. There are great views both up and down Rhyolite Canyon. There was no water in the creek just occasional pools. I did see a bear along this trail, it was just moseying across the trail as I came around the bend. Didn't move off that quickly but with the heat I guess it didn't figure it warranted the extra effort. This is a good connector trail to the trails above that are in the more interesting area of the park. There is a shuttle service that will take you to the top so your car can be left down at the visitor center for a one way hike.

The second set of trails on this hike start from the visitor center and follow Bonita Creek downstream. The first is the Silver Spur Meadow Trail and the second the Bonita Creek Trail. These trails are more like nature trails that people visiting the park might do without doing anything too strenuous. There are a few old cabins/ranches along this trail and informative signs explain each. These trails are the kind you don't drive a long distance to go do but if you are in the area and have time to kill they are worth doing. I particularly liked Silver Spur Meadow because it was an oasis of green and being it was getting a little warm in the sun it was a welcomed area. My GPS said it was 95 degrees but in the shade it was probably in the low to mid 80s, quite comfortable. Since I'm in the sun with my GPS I'm going with the 95 degrees. I hiked these trails of the Chiricahua National Monument a little late in the year but for best results I recommend earlier in the spring, even winter.

Today's hikes complete all the trails in the Monument, I want to now move on to the Chiricahua Mountains. I have to figure out the best time of year and locate a cheappy hotel so I don't have to drive back and forth to Tucson. On this trip I took my Prius since all the trails were along paved roads. Much smoother ride than my jeep, so much smoother that at one point while I was lost somewhere south of wilcox I looked down and I was going 84 MPH didn't know the prius had it in it. Still averaged 50 MPG on this trip too.
_____________________
 
Apr 06 2018
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 25
 Photos 1,890
 Triplogs 604

41 male
 Joined Sep 13 2009
 Mesa, AZ
Silver Spur Meadow TrailTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 06 2018
jochalTriplogs 604
Hiking2.70 Miles 150 AEG
Hiking2.70 Miles
150 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
Started at Visitor Center, continued on to Bonita Creek, and then ended at the Faraway Ranch parking lot, where I joined the tour for the house.
_____________________
 
May 31 2017
avatar

 Routes 85
 Photos 3,718
 Triplogs 486

female
 Joined Oct 15 2002
 Rimrock, Arizona
Bonita Canyon CampgroundTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Car Camping avatar May 31 2017
cactuscatTriplogs 486
Car Camping
Car Camping
 no routes
1st trip
Partners none no partners
Two nights in site #13 - I like how it is set off by itself. The campground is lovely and charming ... it was surprisingly well-occupied, more so than last time I visited about a year ago, but still quiet.
I am endlessly entertained by the gray jays around the campground, as well as the turkeys, deer, acorn woodpeckers, rufous-sided towhees, etc. The easy wildlife viewing here would be worth the trip even without all the great hikes and other things.
After leaving Roper Tuesday evening after work, I arrived at Bonita just at dark - and right after a pretty good rain had swept through. Only glitch in the whole trip was the bunny I ran over in Dos Cabesas. :(
I enjoyed a leisurely early morning around camp with the birds, drinking coffee and reading, before setting off on a stroll to Silver Spur Meadow, Stafford Cabin, and Faraway Ranch. This is a glorious walk that I could enjoy every day - also one of the few you can take dogs on, if that's your thing. Heard and saw turkeys along the way, and deer near the ranch.
Faraway Ranch is gorgeous and far more interesting than I thought it would be - I will definitely plan on being there on a day when the tour is offered next time.
I couldn't help but think long and hard about Karen Gonzales and the attack perpetrated on her here near the Ranch a few years ago. I am more familiar than most with the incident because I know a couple people who knew her before it happened, and one of my friends assisted with the investigation. That poor woman had gone through hell in the months before the attack, suffering through the loss of two loved ones ... only to have her head bashed in with a rock by some scumbag looking to steal her truck - while she was working in a National Monument. I almost can't even comprehend the horror. I don't know if Karen has - or ever will - fully recover, but the fact that she survived is a testament to her strength. Recently the scumbag was convicted and sentenced to over 70 years, so there's that.
Anyhow, the campground rocks and the hike rocks ... on to the next.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Faraway Ranch
_____________________
 
Sep 26 2015
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 183
 Photos 5,612
 Triplogs 1,647

male
 Joined Mar 12 2004
 Scottsdale, AZ
Silver Spur Meadow TrailTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 26 2015
John9LTriplogs 1,647
Hiking4.43 Miles 237 AEG
Hiking4.43 Miles
237 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Partners partners
clairebear
After hiking the Big Loop we returned to camp and chilled out for a couple of hours. We had a couple of hours to kill before starting dinner and decided to walk to the Faraway Ranch. We left directly from camp and made the easy walk. The going is very nice as you hike by Bonita Creek and see the remnants of those that lived and worked here. We were both surprised at how many buildings there are. They’re in great condition and the main house is huge! A tour would be very cool but not today. After exploring the ranch we continued west and walked to the end of the trail. The return flew by and we settled in for another evening.
_____________________
 
Sep 26 2015
avatar

 Photos 188
 Triplogs 163

43 female
 Joined Oct 26 2011
 Tempe, AZ
Silver Spur Meadow TrailTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 26 2015
clairebearTriplogs 163
Hiking4.43 Miles 237 AEG
Hiking4.43 Miles
237 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Partners partners
John9L
After our loop of Echo Canyon we killed some time at camp and relaxed before setting out again on another walk. Flat easy walking on this trail which conveniently departs right from our campground. Early on we passed a women painting en plein air a beautiful watercolor of the meadow in the late afternoon sunlight. There is also some signage early on regarding the CCC who are responsible for many of the great trail systems in Chiricahua N.M. We also checked Faraway Ranch- this must have been awesome when it was operational. We took the trail all the way to the end and then made it back into camp just as light was fading for the day.
_____________________
 
Dec 29 2014
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 72
 Photos 14,456
 Triplogs 627

62 female
 Joined Aug 19 2011
 Scottsdale, AZ
Silver Spur Meadow TrailTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 29 2014
outdoor_loverTriplogs 627
Hiking4.30 Miles 208 AEG
Hiking4.30 Miles
208 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
2nd Day in Chiricahua National Monument...Did a Hike and a Historical Tour. Started from the Visitor's Center and took the Silver Spur Meadow Trail to Faraway Ranch. Arrived at the Ranch just as they were getting ready to start a Ranger led Tour, so I joined in...Some pretty fascinating History there...

After the Tour, I continued on the Bonita Creek Trail to the Day Use Area...Did a little Loop around their paved Nature Trail there, had a Snack and then returned back to the Visitor Center the way I came. I had thought about walking the Road back, but I was seeing some Deer in there and there's always the possibility of seeing some different Birds on the Way Back.... :D

I left the Monument after I finished and started heading for Home...I made one more Stop but I'll split that since I have so many Photos here already.... :)

If not for the Tour, this would have been a reasonably sized Photoset for a change.... :sl:
_____________________
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming, "Wow What a Ride!"
  1 archive
Jan 14 2012
avatar

 Guides 11
 Routes 88
 Photos 2,649
 Triplogs 243

93 male
 Joined May 16 2005
 Scottsdale, AZ
Chiricahua ShuttleTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 14 2012
Al_HikesAZTriplogs 243
Hiking5.00 Miles 501 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles
501 ft AEG
 no routes
14JAN2012.
Hit the road at 0500 for Chiricahua National Forest. Arrived 0840 so I missed the shuttle to the top. Registered, watched a video narrated by Rex Allen, Sr. Scouted the area and the campgrounds. Good advice from Marianne (of Washington) at the campgrounds. Drove to Massai Point and hiked the interpretive trail. Drove back to Faraway Ranch for the 1100 tour with Park Service Volunteer Bill Dean. Learned a lot of history. Took photos. Hiked to the Jay Hugh Stafford cabin. 1 mile 1 AEG
Drove to Echo Canyon TH and hiked Echo Canyon Trail , Hailstone Trail and Ed Riggs Trail. 4 miles 500AEG.
Drove to Sugarloaf TH and hiked the Sugarloaf Trail up to the Fire Lookout Tour. A little sporty with snow and ice on northern parts of the trail. That tunnel is cool. 2 miles 500 AEG.
Drove back to campground. Chose campsite 1. My recent acquisition of the Coleman lantern was excellent. I am more used to Grand Canyon Backpacking instead of car camping so I forgot a few luxuries I could have enjoyed - like my Nemo pillow and some Herradura. And I could have brought firewood for the grill in the campsite. Weather was pleasant. Cloud cover kept temps in the low 40's. I added the Arizona Butterfly Guide to my library and bought the Stan Tekila Owl Book (for my daughter Jessica). Total for day 7 miles 1,001' AEG
_____________________
Anybody can make a hike harder. The real skill comes in making the hike easier.
life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. Andy Rooney
 
Oct 23 2010
avatar

 Guides 22
 Routes 6
 Photos 512
 Triplogs 466

34 male
 Joined May 17 2007
 CA
Big Loop - Chiricahua National MonumentTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 23 2010
rally_toadTriplogs 466
Hiking16.80 Miles 3,000 AEG
Hiking16.80 Miles
3,000 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Partners none no partners
I guess this would be the best place so post my hike. I started from the campground, hiked the lower rhyolite trail to upper rhyolite and completed this loop starting with the Sarah Deming trail and going counter clockwise. I also did all the trails of the main loop, (1.1 miles heart of rocks loop, 1 mile rt to inspiration point). After completing the loop I went back down lower rhyolite and instead of hiking back to the campground I did the Silver Spur Meadow trail and the Bonita Creek trail and then backtracked to the campground, this added about 3.4 miles.
Mileage is according to the map provided by the park. Elevation is an estimate.
_____________________
"Who are you guys??!!" -Farnsworth
  1 archive
Jan 03 2009
avatar

 Guides 34
 Routes 249
 Photos 2,197
 Triplogs 592

38 male
 Joined Aug 16 2006
 Portland, OR
Bonita Creek Trail - Chiricahua N.M.Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 03 2009
keepmovingTriplogs 592
Hiking1.50 Miles 58 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles
58 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hiked the trail as the sun set and I prepared to leave the park after my two day trip. Not the most spectacular trail, but the golden light from the setting sun helped make it more enjoyable. Also encountered about 15 deer.
_____________________
 
Jul 09 2008
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Silver Spur Meadow TrailTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 09 2008
PrestonSandsTriplogs 2,097
Hiking4.30 Miles 150 AEG
Hiking4.30 Miles   1 Hour   30 Mns   2.87 mph
150 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
Hiked this trail and the Bonita Creek Trail on an unusually cool and very humid July day. Evil looking, low clouds lurked on nearby mountains, but only a few waves of light rain moved through. The deer were out in full force. Had the Monument almost to myself. Nice hike.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Jan 30 2008
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Bonita Creek Trail - Chiricahua N.M.Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 30 2008
PrestonSandsTriplogs 2,097
Hiking1.50 Miles 58 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles   1 Hour      1.50 mph
58 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
A brief, late afternoon visit to the Monument on a bitterly cold, windy day. I'd always bypassed this trail until now, thinking "eh, it's only half a mile long..." It's actually 1.5 miles of fairly primitive trail. I couldn't believe how close those deer came to me! Wildlife of all sorts usually run in fear from me, like I'm a Sasquatch on crack or something.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Nov 08 2005
avatar

 Guides 4
 Photos 4,732
 Triplogs 2,607

55 male
 Joined Sep 29 2004
 Small Town USA
Bonita Creek Trail - Chiricahua N.M.Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 08 2005
SkyIslander18Triplogs 2,607
Hiking1.50 Miles 58 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles
58 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
https://www.instagram.com/skyislander22/
 
average hiking speed 2.1 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

helpcommentissue

end of page marker