Spring season hikers may occasionally encounter snowpack in forested terrain above 8000 feet. Although a potential concern over only a limited portion of the 700 mile route, this residual winter snowpack can occasionally be deep and prevalent enough to warrant careful consideration before attempting to negotiate it.

In heavier snow years, the best strategy may be to delay the start of your thru-hike in order to allow the snowpack more time to coalesce and melt, which will decrease both its depth and area of coverage, making any snow travel less laborious and time consuming. Consider starting eastbound from Phoenix in early April, and taking a full 2 months to complete your trek. Don't begin too late, though, in order to avoid prolonged stretches of hot, dry weather in the low country.

The following table shows where along the route you may encounter snow when thru-hiking eastbound during spring seasons of average to somewhat above average snowpack.

Snowpack coverage map - click to view

Detouring to Avoid Spring Snowpack

When considering whether to skip a snowy section of the route, keep in mind that all snow isn't necessarily a problem. By its nature, melting spring snowpack is a ready source of drinking water. It feeds creeks and springs on the mountain ranges, and can itself be melted over a campfire or stove to provide drinking water. In this respect, snow can be your ally in an otherwise arid land, in addition to providing a wonderful contrast in scenery and experience.

Discernable only as a corridor through the trees, trail at 9500' in the Mogollon Mtns lies buried in 2.5 feet of hard, sloping snow, late April '05

Snow becomes an issue wherever it is deep, steep, or prevalent over a large area. Spring snowpack in the Southwest tends to be inconsistent in its ability to bear loads, and deep snow can sometimes cause you to posthole laboriously. Where hardpacked or frozen snow occurs in steeper terrain, exposure to sliding accidents may become a concern, particularly in open forest environments (cirques and headwalls are not present in this region, nor is avalanche danger in spring). In addition, most forest trails that the G.E.T. uses are not marked for winter use, and you may have trouble following them in untracked snow.

The guidebook describes specific snowpack concerns and alternate routes to take in each region. Suffice it to say here that you probably will only need to consider detouring around portions of two ranges - the Pinalenos and Mogollons - and a mile of trail on the north slope of South Baldy in the Magdalena Mountains. All other regions you can expect will be passable, with only short snowbound sections or patches of snow that can be circumvented if necessary.

Use of Crampons and Ice Axe

Spring thru-hikers should consider bringing lightweight instep crampons or "ice walkers" when heading into snowbound segments of the route. These will improve traction on steep, hard snow, and allow you to follow a trail's line as it switchbacks or contours along steeper slopes. Unless snowpack is determined to be minimal, carry crampons over the Pinalenos, Mogollons, and Black Range. Consider mailing them home from Monticello, or at Magdalena if South Baldy may pose a concern.

An ice axe would only be warranted if traversing the snowbound Mogollon Range, rather than detouring around it. Unless you have prior experience with high altitude snow travel and routefinding, this is the one range to strongly consider avoiding in a snowy spring. The Mogollons are tall, rugged, and remote, and you will need to rely on map, compass, GPS, and guidebook to determine where the snowbound trail in fact goes. Due to the steepness of mountain slopes, you will face some moderate exposure and should be practiced in self-arrest techniques. Mail an ice axe to Glenwood, and carry it as far as Monticello, for a total distance of about 150 miles. (Or divest yourself of it at Gila Hot Springs if you can find someone willing to mail it for you.) Otherwise, walk around the worst of the snowpack and come back to enjoy the Mogollons later in the season.

Current Snowpack Conditions

The USDA National Water and Climate Center maintains snowpack data for western states including Arizona and New Mexico. "Snotel" sites monitor snowpack conditions in real time, and this data is made available on the NWCC website, offering a snapshot of regional conditions at given elevations. In particular, Silver Creek Divide snotel offers an idea of what to expect in New Mexico's Mogollon Mountains, while McKnight Cabin and Lookout Mountain offer perspective on the Black Range. Use this information to get a feel for the type of snow season (and in turn water season) that is unfolding across the region.

Old snow patches pose minimal concern at 10k on Manzano Peak, mid-May '05

Trek Planner: Creek Fording4

3Trek Planner: Water Sources