Chimney Rock

Steep climbs out of creek beds. Did this in stock Rubicon, sketchy to do alone, but great trail.

This trail is great if you have a group with multiple skill levels or different levels of rigs. The mandatory parts of the trail aren't that difficult, but once you get to chimney rock there are a variety of different obstacles that range in difficulty. It is a fun place to test yourself and your rig if you want. I love some of climbs up and down the hills. We even found a swimming hole that my buddy jumped in. This trail is rated 5/5 and I don't think the mandatory should be above a 4 rating and I think the optional rating should be as high as 7 or 8 in my opinion. Overall it was a great trail!

Did this trail today (05/12/21) from west to east in a new (1200 mi.) stock 2021 Wrangler Rubicon. What fun! Great way to break in the new rig.

Ran this trail today gong east to west in a stock (AKA no lift) 2021 JLU on 33" tires. Scraped her belly a few times, but other than that she ran great. It is a beautiful trail with a lot of obstacles. I wish we had been able to run it before the fire, I bet it was even more beautiful. I will post a video as soon as I can get it edited and uploaded to YouTube.

The USFS has issued a "Trail Open" memo effective 09/21/2020.

The Forest Manager, Kerwin Dewberry advised that the forest will be closed until November 2020.

OFFICIAL USFS Closure: (Updated July 4th, 2020)
AREA CLOSURE Order Number: # 03-05-05-20-023

AREA CLOSURE MAP Order Number: # 03-05-05-20-023

The Coronado National Forest has closed this trail as it could be in the path of the Big Horn Fire. Here is the closure order and map. The road is labeled as FR 4438 on the map.

• Order Number: # 03-05-05-20-022

Took a few rigs along for a wonderfully splendid day out on the Chimney rock trail. There is a new bypass carved out next to the obstacle @Waypoint 21. I was so upset I forgot to get a picture of it. The bypass is immediately north of the main granite obstacle (3 paths) and is simply dirt bulldozed track up and over the hill, completely missing the fun. The bypass is easily 2WD. The rest of the boulder scramble required from that point on is still in place and the hill climbs on the east end seemed a little more rocky exposed. Sorry the video is the opposite aspect ratio, everyone forgot their action cams and cell phones ruled the day.

This is a great trail. It is tech enough to be fun, short enough to do in an afternoon, and has plenty of spots to camp the night away if you desire. I recommend running the trail from east to west,. That way you end at the Indian Head area, which is full of rock to play around on, as well as getting the long commute down Reddington Road out of the way. Stage up at the Circle K on Tanque Verde, air down, and head out. There are a few bits of trail that offer challenges and opportunity for damage, but with a healthy does of caution, you'll be good. You can run it in 4 hrs with ease, and from Circle K out and back is about 40 miles. One of my go to trails for a good time.

FUN Trail! Just be prepared for a longer day if it is your first time on Chimney Rock trail, I under estimated. If you are not used to driving up a wash, almost half of this trail is in and out of, you will spend more time finding your line. If you are experienced at it the estimated time on the main page would be correct. I know now that I would go through it a lot quicker the second time. I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to run this trail before the Burro fire when some of the obstacles had to be tamed for the fire crews. That being said, those areas that Jim elaborates on in his post below (Waypoints 12, 13, 15) still hold true 1 year later. This trail was a blast and the most fun I have had with the BloodRunner in Southern AZ. However, I still need to do Chiva Falls - will update with that review when completed. Waypoint 20 Steep Hill V with Sharp Rock protruding has been washed out a little more. I chose to climb over the rock with driver side just on the hill side, air your tires down to make this easier. Waypoint 21 is just a lot of fun. If I wasn't pressed for time I would have tried all 3 lines. These areas definitely take some skill in navigating and use of 4low. Oh yeah - get read for some pinstripping, plenty to be had on this trail. Wear them as a badge of honor and enjoy the trail.

It has been since the Burro fire that I have visited this trail. There are significant changes since it's very likely this was the last stand line of defense against that wildfire. As a result, a bulldozer was run down this trail and has obliterated several obstacles. (I will update the waypoints with the new look of these obstacles). The rocky ascents/descents right after Chimney rock, that lead to the formerly off camber obstacle, are now tamed down quite a bit. No longer are there 2' shelves to descend. :( The good news- The mesquite bosque in the bottom of Bullock Canyon is largely untouched. (Save the head knocker tree). (Waypoint 12) Gone is the off camber section that was a rock outcrop. The steep hill beyond has been tamed into a single easy track. (Waypoint 13)The Tire in the Air obstacle is now bulldozed flat. The tree that was your marker to steer toward is now uprooted and lying on the ground. (Waypoint 15)The Head Knocker Low tree branch is no more. In fact, the entire tree is just a charred remain, and the road that once went underneath it is re-routed leaving a forlorn fork in the road. The rest of the trail is pretty much the same with the exception of the hill with the boulder sticking out on the right, it appears the boulder has been shaved a little. (I might be wrong but it looked easier). I have added a NEW waypoint called the "Stupid Gate" Look at the photos to see why I call it this. There was a lot of water at the second water hole, the 1st waterhole was dry. This is STILL my favorite trail, expect lots of pinstriping and some fun boulder scrambles. The rating has not changed from Moderate since there are significant opportunities to cave your rocker panel in on this trail. There are still some Low 4x4 required climbs/descents and several water crossings.

Fun little trip to test the waters in my first real off-road trip and break in the new truck. Went from West to East in a stock ZR2 and just kept it in 2WD with the rear locked all the way to Chimeny Rock. Great place to catch some shade and lunch. (Carried out some trash stashed under Chimney Rock on the way out, bit of a shame people could careless about dumping trash.) Had turn around and head back West to Reddington Rd as thunderstorms started rolling in. Would recommend to anyone.

Prior to this run we 2 of our members did a prerun prior to our club Meet. Afterwards they contacted the forest service and the owners of Bellota ranch regarding trail conditions. Our Bronco Club ran this trail as a night run with 5 rigs. At way point 12 the off camber Bump now has a significant wash out in it. On the pucker scale in a Lifted fullsize rig is 7-8. The Forest service is considering repairing it or farming it out the Local Rough riders Club. At way point 15 the low lying tree branch is no longer a factor, in fact the whole tree is now ash. As are the majority of the trees ln this area. Last years fire decimated this whole area. With that said way point 18 "the Wash Proper" is very rough. What rains Tucson has gotten; that water has changed the wash along the entire trail, due to the lack of vegetation. Route finding or trying to follow the original route in the wash is well its just not there but it doesn't matter either. In all it was still a fun trail to run and maybe a little more rough than what it use to be. We still got a Stock Full Size Bronco through without incident.

Ran this trail earlier this week and it is fully open. The "tree tunnel" is a pile of burnt wood but for the most part, the area has started to recover and it was a great trip!