The McCord trail in Cave Creek Canyon, Chiricahua Mountains 3/25/2011

This weeks hike with  Portal Rodeo Hiking club was up the McCord trail from Cave Creek Canyon, over the ridge, down past Hummingbird Spring, and out of the Coronado National Forest at the access point on Starview Place near Naturalist Journeys.  The loop is a little over 5 miles and gains 1600' in elevation, most of which occurs in the first 2 miles.

The McCord trail head  begins at Cave Creek Ranch and proceeds up the drainage eventually climbing several switchbacks.  Approximately 2/3 of the way up the trail splits, the right hand fork leads to the top of Cathedral Rock while the left continues to the top of the ridge.  The fork is labeled on a stone.  Continuing left up the trail and approximately 300' short of the ridge top a large outcrop with views of Portal and it's surroundings is encountered.  This is a good place to stop for a break and photographs before the last push to the top.

Once reaching the top of the ridge there are views of the San Simon Valley and the mountain ranges across the bootheel.  Continuing down the east flank of the Chiricahua Mountains the trail winds down eventually joining the trail from Hummingbird Spring.

The Google map of the McCord trail may be found  through the link or in the sidebar.

Screenshot of McCord trail

 

Ridge top on the McCord trail

Memtolith on the McCord trail

Bear Claw formation