Chimneys Trail

[BigBendHiker]

I have enjoyed taking the Chimneys Trail.  Definitely not a hike you want to take in the middle of a summer afternoon...but in the Fall/Winter/Spring or early morning summer, it is a great hike.  Great view of Kit Mountain to your left...and neat markings on the rocks at the Chimneys, once you get there.

[RichardM]

We hiked the Chimneys Trail in mid May of 2000.  Temp probably was well over 100 by the time we got back to the car on Ross Maxwell Road.  It'd be interesting to continue the hike over to Old Maverick Road.  This is a great intro to desert hiking.  Flat, easy to follow, not too much of the nasty sharp pointy stuff.  Be prepared with the right clothes and a good wide-brimmed hat plus good hydration.  It also helps if you have a cooler waiting for you in the car filled with your favorite ice-cold beverage for after the hike. :)

[dave2]

I recently did this hike from the west and went in about 3 or so miles (just past Luna spring--I think that's the name) to where you top a ridge and can see the Chimmeys and Ross Maxwell in the distance. It was a great hike, no one else at all on the trail, good views and unusual formations all around. But don't try it in the warmer months.

[Casa Grande]

i'll have to say that i've never actually attempted the full chimneys hike yet.  it is on top of my very long list of things to do!

[mule ears]

I recently did this hike from the west and went in about 3 or so miles (just past Luna spring--I think that's the name) to where you top a ridge and can see the Chimmeys and Ross Maxwell in the distance. It was a great hike, no one else at all on the trail, good views and unusual formations all around. But don't try it in the warmer months.

Dave was it Pena spring? And was it running?  I have thought about using it as a water resupply on an across the west end of the park hike.

[dave2]

Yes, I checked the map when I got home and it is Pena springs. I did the hike about a month ago and the springs were bone dry, but you could see where the water would be runnning near the trail in a wet year. (Looks like the runoff from the springs drains directly into a creek or wash that skirts the trial as you approach the springs.)  I doubt that there has been enough rain since January to increase the water flow.  Still it was a fine hike, even a bit on the warm side considering it was mid January.

[RedBuffalo]

Back in my younger days in graduate school I packed a Zone VI 4x5 view camera and Bogan monster tripod to the Chimneys.  Nice hike - rough on me and probably not worth it.  However, I'd be glad to do it again with my Canon 5D....

[SA Bill]

Ooooo....4X5 negs! B&W or color? Any scans you can share?
   Bill

[aggiehiker]

I took some friends down the Chimneys Trail last year and was dissapointed to see that the rock house was gone (my last hike there was about 10 years ago). I found out later at PJ that the park tore it down. On the way back a large swarm of honey bees crossed my path and I followed them several hundred yards to their home at the base of a cactus plant.

[Boojum1]

The Chimney's trail has interesting assets that I'm hesitant to share until I'm more familiar with protocol for discussion of such items.  Highly recommended and no, its not a good summer hike in the afternoon (BTDT).

edit to add...now I've attained "roadrunner" status.  I'm going through critters faster than the front grill of a speeding spring break touron.

[Robert]

The Chimney's trail has interesting assets that I'm hesitant to share until I'm more familiar with protocol for discussion of such items.

The place for that discussion probably belongs on the La Kiva board.

[RichardM]

The Chimney's trail has interesting assets that I'm hesitant to share until I'm more familiar with protocol for discussion of such items.

The place for that discussion probably belongs on the La Kiva board.

That'll make my job easier. :)  Otherwise I get to edit your posts and X out anything I deem too sensitive.  I also occasionally get feedback from NPS personnel and other folks when they spot something that needs to be protected, so if you spot something before I find it, shoot me a PM.

[Boojum1]

The Chimney's trail has interesting assets that I'm hesitant to share until I'm more familiar with protocol for discussion of such items.

The place for that discussion probably belongs on the La Kiva board.

That'll make my job easier. :)  Otherwise I get to edit your posts and X out anything I deem too sensitive.  I also occasionally get feedback from NPS personnel and other folks when they spot something that needs to be protected, so if you spot something before I find it, shoot me a PM.

PM headed your way RichardM.

[The Trout Whisperer]

I now can say I have hiked the full Chimney's trail.

This past saturday i walked non stop with a couple of fellows to the campsite at the west end where we had lunch and then turned around and headed back to the car at the trail head.

It was great to know i could hike approx 16 miles  at this age!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[xseption]

I have enjoyed taking the Chimneys Trail.  Definitely not a hike you want to take in the middle of a summer afternoon...but in the Fall/Winter/Spring or early morning summer, it is a great hike.  Great view of Kit Mountain to your left...and neat markings on the rocks at the Chimneys, once you get there.

i'll have to say that i've never actually attempted the full chimneys hike yet.  it is on top of my very long list of things to do!

I now can say I have hiked the full Chimney's trail.

This past saturday i walked non stop with a couple of fellows to the campsite at the west end where we had lunch and then turned around and headed back to the car at the trail head.

The Chimneys Trail is probably my favorite of the moderate hikes and I am talking the eight miles from the RMSD trailhead to Old Maverick Road. As BBH says, you have Kit Mtn to your left as you are hiking in. Then as you approach the Chimneys you can easily recognize Santa Elena Canyon in the far distance. The trail runs in between the Chimneys. At the Chimneys, on the south side of the trail, you can visit the monolith to see the interesting glyphs and on the north side is a nice round arch in the rockface.

After the Chimneys, the terrain starts to change slowly. After a bit, you have to pay close attention to the trail as it seems to disappear. The rock cairns are very useful as this point. You will start seeing white hills and dark maroon rocks which make for almost otherworldly scenes. This part of the trail is simply beautiful. I did run into the springs (mentioned previously) last March and it was at a very low level but still running. In this area, the only green to be seen was near the spring. As you head to the West Chimneys trailhead, the terrain changes to the desert scrub that is familiar to those who frequently travel the Old Maverick Road.

I will do this trail again!

~ edd