Natural Bridge, Chiricuhua National Monument, AZ

The Natural Bridge is an angular arch in the dark grey rhyolite rocks that cover most of Chiricahua National Monument, and may be viewed at the end a 2.4 mile trail, the only major hiking route in the northern section of the park, north of the scenic drive.

The bridge is only 0.3 miles from the road, but guarded by impassable cliffs to the south, so the path has to take a circuitous course, up one ravine (North Bonita Canyon), over a grassy plateau and down into another valley, Picket Canyon, containing a secluded group of pine trees (Picket Park), and lined by many photogenic formations. The trail ends at an elevated viewpoint, 400 feet from the bridge, which although large, is situated immediately in front of a cliff and so is not so distinctive from afar, especially in the morning when it lies in shadow.

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