This stop was a pleasant surprise. Our original intent was to hike the trails of Chiricahua National Monument, Land of “Standing Up Rocks,” but unbeknownst to us, Willcox is better known for its wineries. The town has tasting rooms and several vineyards along the wine trail. Being fans of red wine, we enjoyed the different varieties the vineyards offered and walked away with a few bottles of excellent red wine.

The national monument spires originated 27 million years ago when a volcano spewed ash over the terrain. It became a national monument in 1924 to protect the pinnacles. Our hike to the Echo Canyon Loop was mind-boggling. We passed several rock structures, where it seemed one rock was just perched on another and would fall with a passing wind. However, these rocks have remained solid throughout the years. Each turn delights us with stunning views. Surprisingly, we didn’t pass many hikers, and we were the only ones on the trail for most of the hike. This is a highly recommended hike in our books.

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