Length: 13.4 miles roundtrip

Difficulty: Moderate

Wilderness Area: Chiricahua Wilderness

Journal: "A Weekend in Paradise" and "Water Water Everywhere"

**Kid Friendly Hike (for part of the trail)**

From Tucson, take I-10 east 139 miles to US 80 (you will cross the New Mexico border to get to this intersection). Turn right (south) and drive 28 miles, then turn right (west) on the road to Portal, 7 miles. Drive west on FR 42 approximately 2 miles to the South Fork turnoff, turn right (south) and continue 1 mile to the South Fork picnic area and trailhead. All roads are paved and suitable for passenger vehicles. There is a day-use fee to park at the trailhead ($5.00).

Trail Description:

The trail begins in a wonderful, cool riparian area along the south fork of Cave Creek. The first two miles of this trail are heavily used by bird-watchers, as there are many species of birds in this part of the forest.

At 0.2 miles, you will enter the Chiricahua Wilderness Area, and soon after that you will encounter the first of many creek crossings. Some of these creek crossings are small, but others can be treacherous during wet seasons.

At 1.6 miles, you will reach Maple Camp, where the trail intersects with the Burro Trail #240 (which goes to Horseshoe Pass). Continue traveling along the South Fork Trail.

Up to Maple Camp, the trail is kid-friendly, as it is flat and easy. After Maple Camp, though, the trail begins to climb out of the canyon, towards Sentinel Peak (at 6.8 miles). During one trip on this trail, we hiked only the first 4.0 miles of this trail but decided to turn back when the skies threatened rain.

Return the way you came.