Arizona

Hiking Southeast Arizona’s Sky Islands & Chiricahua Mountains

Program No. 2105RJ
Go off the beaten path and explore the Chiricahua Mountains, where you’ll hike alongside experts and learn about native wildlife, ancient geology and the region’s frontier story.

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At a Glance

Concealed in the Chiricahua Mountains of remote southeast Arizona are some of the best-kept secrets of the serious American hiker. Here, insulated from the crowded trails of the Grand Canyon by 450 miles of mountains and desert, immerse yourself in a hiker’s paradise where seldom-trodden trails climb through five undisturbed life zones, from the grassy scrublands of the desert up through the rarefied air of mountains thick with Douglas fir. From your base in the cowboy town of Willcox, hike tranquil trails known only to those who seek adventure in places left alone by the common tourist, discovering native wildlife, birds on their migratory odysseys and rich geology, Native history and frontier heritage.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Long, often 12 hour days. Hiking between 4 and 8 miles daily over varied terrain. Elevation gain/loss between 800 and 1100 ft each day. Elevations of 5,000-8,000 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Uncover the wonders of the “sky islands,” isolated mountain habitats that support endemic species and unique ecology.
  • Be transported back in time to the frontier period at Fort Bowie and the homestead at Faraway Ranch.
  • Learn about the Arizona ranching industry of the modern day and of yesteryear, and get a taste of Western culture with musical entertainment by a local couple.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Steve Marlatt
Steve has a bachelor’s in Wildlife Management and a master’s in Environmental Education. He first worked in a variety of positions in research, range and recreation for New Mexico Game and Fish, the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service. He then switched gears to work with another type of wildlife and spent the next 27 years teaching Middle School science! He recently retired so that he could spend more time hiking, backpacking, mountain biking and birding in his long-time home of Southeast Arizona.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Steve Marlatt
Steve Marlatt View biography
Steve has a bachelor’s in Wildlife Management and a master’s in Environmental Education. He first worked in a variety of positions in research, range and recreation for New Mexico Game and Fish, the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service. He then switched gears to work with another type of wildlife and spent the next 27 years teaching Middle School science! He recently retired so that he could spend more time hiking, backpacking, mountain biking and birding in his long-time home of Southeast Arizona.
Profile Image of Pat Lee
Pat Lee has always loved hiking, getting out in nature, and great exercise. Being a retired physical education teacher, Pat has always been committed to exercise. For eight years, Pat ran a hiking club through WASA (Willcox Against Substance Abuse). Every week in summer, and one day a month during the school year, Pat led schoolkids on hikes around the area.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Meals
18 Meals
6 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
6 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
Nov 10, 2024 - Nov 16, 2024
  • Nov 10, 2024 - Nov 16, 2024
  • Oct 20, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024
  • Nov 10, 2024 - Nov 16, 2024
  • Mar 16, 2025 - Mar 22, 2025
  • Apr 06, 2025 - Apr 12, 2025
  • Oct 26, 2025 - Nov 01, 2025
  • Nov 09, 2025 - Nov 15, 2025
6 nights
Willcox
Willcox Holiday Inn is considered 'high desert' at an elevation of 4,167 ft. Mountains are visible from all sides of the Hotel. The rooms offer comfortable beds, alarm clocks, hair dryers, coffee makers, irons and ironing boards. Suites are available that have microwaves and refrigerators. There is a beautiful outdoor heated pool, a fitness center and the business center for the use of all guests. The hotel offers free wired and wireless internet connections in all our rooms. The hotel is within a short distance of a variety of restaurants, shopping and many historic sites. Guests have described this hotel as a 'gem in the desert'. The Chiricahua Mountains/Memorial are located less than 30 minutes travel from the hotel.
6 nights
Willcox
Willcox Holiday Inn is considered 'high desert' at an elevation of 4,167 ft. Mountains are visible from all sides of the Hotel. The rooms offer comfortable beds, alarm clocks, hair dryers, coffee makers, irons and ironing boards. Suites are available that have microwaves and refrigerators. There is a beautiful outdoor heated pool, a fitness center and the business center for the use of all guests. The hotel offers free wired and wireless internet connections in all our rooms. The hotel is within a short distance of a variety of restaurants, shopping and many historic sites. Guests have described this hotel as a 'gem in the desert'. The Chiricahua Mountains/Memorial are located less than 30 minutes travel from the hotel.
6 nights
Willcox
Willcox Holiday Inn is considered 'high desert' at an elevation of 4,167 ft. Mountains are visible from all sides of the Hotel. The rooms offer comfortable beds, alarm clocks, hair dryers, coffee makers, irons and ironing boards. Suites are available that have microwaves and refrigerators. There is a beautiful outdoor heated pool, a fitness center and the business center for the use of all guests. The hotel offers free wired and wireless internet connections in all our rooms. The hotel is within a short distance of a variety of restaurants, shopping and many historic sites. Guests have described this hotel as a 'gem in the desert'. The Chiricahua Mountains/Memorial are located less than 30 minutes travel from the hotel.
6 nights
Willcox
Willcox Holiday Inn is considered 'high desert' at an elevation of 4,167 ft. Mountains are visible from all sides of the Hotel. The rooms offer comfortable beds, alarm clocks, hair dryers, coffee makers, irons and ironing boards. Suites are available that have microwaves and refrigerators. There is a beautiful outdoor heated pool, a fitness center and the business center for the use of all guests. The hotel offers free wired and wireless internet connections in all our rooms. The hotel is within a short distance of a variety of restaurants, shopping and many historic sites. Guests have described this hotel as a 'gem in the desert'. The Chiricahua Mountains/Memorial are located less than 30 minutes travel from the hotel.
6 nights
Willcox
Willcox Holiday Inn is considered 'high desert' at an elevation of 4,167 ft. Mountains are visible from all sides of the Hotel. The rooms offer comfortable beds, alarm clocks, hair dryers, coffee makers, irons and ironing boards. Suites are available that have microwaves and refrigerators. There is a beautiful outdoor heated pool, a fitness center and the business center for the use of all guests. The hotel offers free wired and wireless internet connections in all our rooms. The hotel is within a short distance of a variety of restaurants, shopping and many historic sites. Guests have described this hotel as a 'gem in the desert'. The Chiricahua Mountains/Memorial are located less than 30 minutes travel from the hotel.
6 nights
Willcox
Willcox Holiday Inn is considered 'high desert' at an elevation of 4,167 ft. Mountains are visible from all sides of the Hotel. The rooms offer comfortable beds, alarm clocks, hair dryers, coffee makers, irons and ironing boards. Suites are available that have microwaves and refrigerators. There is a beautiful outdoor heated pool, a fitness center and the business center for the use of all guests. The hotel offers free wired and wireless internet connections in all our rooms. The hotel is within a short distance of a variety of restaurants, shopping and many historic sites. Guests have described this hotel as a 'gem in the desert'. The Chiricahua Mountains/Memorial are located less than 30 minutes travel from the hotel.





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