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ABOVE GROUND HIKING AT KARTCHNER
CAVERNS STATE PARK
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| Hikers on the Foothills Loop Trail |
When massive blocks of
Mississippian Escabrosa Limestone get jostled around by eons of
geological turbulence, the results can be both transformative and
magical. The Whetstone Mountains south of Benson are a good example
of earth's dynamic forces at work. The range began when sediments at
the bottom of an ancient inland sea solidified into layers of soft
rock. Multiple episodes of faulting and uplifting formed the skyline
of peaks that soar to over 7,000' and a chunk of limestone that
slipped off the range's eastern flank that became the incubator of a
celebrated natural wonder. From the outside, this slipped block
appears as an unspectacular, ocotillo-studded hill. But inside, are
the water-sculpted wonders of Kartchner Caverns State Park. Within
the living wet caves, mineral deposits built over hundreds of
thousands of years are still growing. It's like walking through a
stadium-size geode.
Cave tours must be scheduled
in advance. The half-mile excursions are naturally lit (no amusement
park theatric here) and set to a soothing soundtrack. Guides tell the
story of the cave's discovery and describe the science behind the
bizarre formations that hang like melted wax, pulled taffy and
flowing sheets of "liquid" stone. After the tour, you'll
want to check out two above-ground hiking trails that explore the
Chihuahuan semi-desert grasslands and oak-juniper forests that
surround the property. The Foothills Loop Trail winds though a riparian
area, savannah-like pastures and sandy washes with breathtaking
mountain views. This hike is augmented with numbered posts that
correspond with a free trail guide available at the Discovery Center.
For a more challenging trek, the Guindani Trail #398 leaves the
Foothills Trail, crosses into Coronado National Forest and makes a
1,000' climb to a scenic saddle where the peaks of the Huachuca
Mountains near Sierra Vista hover over Arizona's border with Mexico.
LENGTH:
Foothills Loop: 2.5 miles
Guindani Trail # 398: 4.2 mile loop
RATING:
Foothills: moderate
Guindani: difficult
ELEVATION: 4,750' - 5,620'
GATE HOURS: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
GETTING THERE:
From Tucson, take Interstate
10 east to exit 302 for State Route 90 (Sierra Vista/Fort Huachuca).
Go 9 miles south on SR 90 to the park entrance on the right.
Cave Tour Reservations:
520-586-2283
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