The Chiricahua National Monument was established in 1924 to preserve the remnants of a volcanic eruption believed to have occurred approximately 27 million years ago. This eruption formed the area’s extensive swaths of hoodoos and balancing rocks, which earned it the name “Land of the Standing-Up Rocks” by native Apache tribes. The Heart of Rocks trail is a well-loved 7.3-mile hiking loop that takes visitors through some of the most stunning rock formations and landscapes in the area.
The Heart of Rocks Loop
Visitors planning to take the Heart of Rocks loop must first take the park’s Lower Rhyolite Canyon trail to its intersection with the Sarah Deming trail. These trails take hikers through both desert and forested landscapes on their way across a creek and finally to the Heart of Rocks loop. The trail does include several changes in elevation, but hikers are aided by the steps carved into the path by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s.
Heart of Rocks’ Famous Formations
Those who hike the Heart of Rocks loop are greeted by some of the most beautiful—and strange—landscapes the desert has to offer; these formations are the same views that struck awe into some of the Southwest’s most famous Apaches, including Cochise and Geronimo. Some of the trail’s unique rock formations include Mushroom Rock, Big Balanced Rock, Camelhead, Punch and Judy, Duck on a Rock, and Pinnacle Balanced Rock. Many of these rocks offer a unique but time-limited view, as further weathering and erosion will topple them in future.
Although we might enjoy a leisurely hike through Heart of Rocks in our free time, Xcel Delivery Services will always make sure your product reaches its final destination quickly with our experienced delivery services in Tucson and beyond. Whether you require warehousing, same-day delivery, or airport services, we can help—you can find out more on our website or by calling (520) 408-7200 or our toll-free number at (888) 743-0067.
This article is part of a series on Arizona’s Amazing Roadside Attractions
