FROM
END TO END
An Overview: Phoenix to Albuquerque on Foot
Milepoint
1 - 47 :: Superstition Mountains
Phoenix to Superior
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The
Grand Enchantment Trail begins 45 miles east of downtown Phoenix,
AZ at the First Water Trailhead in the Superstition Mountains
(Tonto National Forest). It follows foot trail east into this
rugged volcanic desert range, winding through lush canyon bottoms
and over viewful passes, past saguaro cacti, teddy bear cholla,
jojoba, and other highly-adapted plants of the lower Sonoran desert.
Weaver's Needle, a dramatic rock fang, is often in view,
marking the location of the mythical Lost Dutchman's Gold
while adding to the real-world grandeur of this landscape. East
of sheer-walled Upper La Barge Box, the route climbs toward scenic
Horse Ridge and Tortilla Pass, now in the upper Sonoran desert
life zone, before descending to follow the rockbound drainage
of Rogers Creek and passing near a 700 year old Salado cliff
dwelling. Here the GET joins the Arizona Trail, not
far from the gravesite and former ranch of Elisha Reavis, the
"hermit of the Superstitions." Following the AZT south,
the route climbs chaparral-cloaked Montana Mountain with sweeping
views to the south and west, then drops steeply to follow the
drainages of Reavis and Whitford canyons, finally leaving the
Superstitions and reaching US Hwy 60 four miles west of the town
of Superior nearby the renowned Boyce Thompson Southwest Arboretum.
Milepoint 47-112 :: White Canyon Wilderness & Tortilla Mtns
Superior to Mammoth
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Continuing
southbound along the route of the Arizona Trail, the GET follows
a combination of foot trail, marked route, and jeep roads into
the little-known White Canyon Wilderness (BLM), a small
but superlative landscape of remnant volcanic peaks and colorful
ash-flow and sedimentary cliffs. The Sonoran desert here is in
fine form, with dense stands of saguaro and many other unique
plants on display. After a challenging mile of cross-country travel
(incomplete trail), the route reaches the tree-lined banks of
the Gila River where it offers hikers the option to ford
or else to seek out a bridged crossing upstream. Beyond, the terrain
mellows and long-range views highlight the distant Sky Island
range of the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson. The
route continues to follow an adventurous network of dirt road,
flagging tape, and finished trail as it seeks out lone Antelope
Peak, a low volcanic outlier of the Tortilla Mountains. Eventually
the GET and AZT part company, as our route turns east along the
wide sandy bottom of Putnam Wash in the company of dark basalt
cliffs, then across the gentle San Pedro River in its corridor
of shady cottonwoods, to reach AZ Hwy 77 ten miles north of tiny
Mammoth AZ.
Milepoint 112 - 224 :: Aravaipa Canyon, Santa Teresa & Pinaleno
sky islands
Mammoth (and Klondyke) to Safford
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East
of AZ Hwy 77 the Grand Enchantment Trail heads cross-country in
the wide, sporadically-flowing wash of Aravaipa Creek in open
desert, then joins dirt Aravaipa Road to reach the entrance to
spectacular Aravaipa Canyon (BLM Wilderness). Sheer canyon
walls rise nearly a thousand feet above the lush, deciduous banks
of perennial Aravaipa Creek, as our route travels in its watery
midst for some 12 magical miles. A quiet dirt road resumes east
of the canyon, leading within range of the remote outpost of Klondyke
and a potential maildrop resupply, before our route turns northeast
to climb into the extreme rugged terrain of the Santa Teresa
Wilderness (Coronado National Forest). Little-used trails
provide supreme solitude en route through the eroded granite wonderland
of Holdout Canyon, then over 7000' Cottonwood Mountain
with its jagged pinnacles, and south to reach Klondyke Road. Tripp
Canyon leads back into the forest once again, where the GET rejoins
foot trail to climb high into the Pinaleno Range (Coronado
NF), passing serene Riggs Lake and the scenic fire tower
atop 10,000' Webb Peak, where snow may linger well into spring.
The desert heat seems as far away as the distant views atop this
tallest of the Sky Island ranges, which include such sights as
the Rincons, Huachucas, Chiricahuas, and the Mogollon Mountains
in New Mexico. Eventually we descend toward the east, reaching
Frye Canyon and the open desert over 7000' below, then follow
dirt and paved roads several miles to the outskirts of bustling
Safford, with most services available.
Milepoint 224 - 284 :: Safford-Morenci Trail, Bonita & Eagle
creeks
Safford to Morenci & Clifton
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The
historic Safford-Morenci Trail follows a former trade route
between the two communities that share its name. The GET follows
quiet, viewful dirt roads and washes north of Safford to join
it in the high desert Gila Mountains of Arizona, where recently
improved foot trail and occasional creek beds make for interesting,
remote, and highly varied trekking. Colorful box canyons lead
into and out of the valley of riparian Bonita Creek about
half way along, and beyond the route climbs to Bellmeyer Saddle,
a scenic grassy expanse at 6000'. Descending to Eagle Creek
in its rugged sandstone gorge - prime bighorn sheep country
- an alternate route soon climbs away, while the main GET turns
north, following Eagle Creek's canyon upstream, with numerous
(though generally mild) fords. White-nosed coati are often
seen cavorting among sycamores and cottonwoods in the creekside
riparian forest. At length the Painted Bluff Trail leads us east
away from the river, along the way offering glimpses of ancient
petroglyphs in a high-desert mountain landscape rich with
solitude. Views at last open toward the vast open-pit of the Morenci
copper mine as our route descends to cross the Coronado Trail,
a winding mountain highway with potential opportunities for a
ride into Morenci village. Historic Clifton, another resupply
option, lies several miles farther downhill, a virtual living
history museum to the region's early mining days.
Milepoint 284 - 331 :: The Blue Range and Blue River
Clifton AZ to Glenwood NM
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The
jumbled ridges of the southern Blue Range spread north
and the GET contours along their flanks, following foot trail
among shrubby live oak and manzanita, interspersed with shady
groves of conifers and maples. Views eastward extend to the Mogollon
Mountains along our route in New Mexico, and to the nearer canyon
system of the Blue River, toward which we now descend.
The main GET route fords the creek just once via dirt road, while
an alternate route dabbles adventurously with the trackless Blue,
where mountain lions are often heard at night and black
bears leave large prints in the creekside sand. Foot trail
resumes en route toward conical Maple Peak (8000'), from which
the Blue Range Primitive Area extends westward and north
toward the Mogollon Rim. Descending to reach the Arizona/New Mexico
boundary, the GET joins dirt road and heads east through classic
New Mexican high desert pinyon/juniper grassland toward the tiny
village of Alma, 4 miles north of more accommodating Glenwood.
Milepoint 331 - 387 :: Mogollon Mountains & West Fork Gila
River
Glenwood to Gila Hot Springs
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Whitewater
Mesa east of Hwy 180 offers a surreal open-air perch at the base
of the lofty Mogollon Range. The GET leaves the mesa not far from
Mogollon ghost town to access the Gila Wilderness via Whitewater
Canyon, entering the National Forest near the dramatic Catwalk
National Recreation Trail, a series of suspended walkways
along a narrow gorge. Our trail climbs gradually along the forested
and impressively cliff-bound canyon of Whitewater Creek's South
Fork, then turns east to ascend the 10,000' crest of the
steep-sided and deeply forested Mogollons, often snowbound into
late spring. (An alternate route circumvents the crest.) Mogollon
Baldy (10,700') affords truly awe-inspiring vistas from its
open summit, including a glimpse of the Pinalenos in Arizona and
San Mateo Mountains. Old growth forest delights on the
well-graded descent toward the West Fork Gila River, where
wildflower meadows invite pause near the entrance to its pinnacled
canyon. Foot trail continues into the sheer and colorful canyon,
winding and fording its way some 16 memorable miles to the entrance
of Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. A high-water
detour also rejoins here, 3 miles north of Doc Campbell's Post
and Gila Hot Springs.
Milepoint 387 - 483 :: Gila Country and the Continental Divide
Gila Hot Springs to Monticello
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The
Grand Enchantment Trail continues its water-blessed way through
Gila Country, first along the Middle Fork Gila River, then
climbing above its canyon near Jordan Hot Spring to cross
viewful mesas toward a meeting with the Gila's gentler East Fork
and Diamond Creek. Foot trails, both maintained and use, continue
to allow nearly seamless travel as the route enters park-like
Tom Moore Canyon. Here a semi-technical side trip gains access
to an enticing slot canyon, while the GET strides more
easily in open ponderosa forest - prime elk habitat - climbing
gently toward the canyon of South Diamond Creek. A short switchbacking
descent accesses the verdant canyon bottom, where our route begins
its final climb toward the Continental Divide. Views abound on
the Black Range Crest near 9800' Diamond Peak, from which
the CDT leads north for several miles of well-graded ridgewalking,
while young aspens lend spectacular fall color in the many
burned areas along the way. To the north the Divide mellows and
ponderosas take hold once more as the GET/CDT tours on newly built
trail tread - little-used but in good condition. After 45 miles,
the GET leaves the Continental Divide near Wahoo Peak to head
east, downhill to the Gila National Forest boundary, where we
exit the forest some 140 miles from our entrance near Glenwood.
Dirt roads and cross-country travel then lead through juniper-yucca
desert toward the entrance to Monticello Box Canyon, where
the GET follows perennial Alamosa Creek to within 10 miles of
peaceful Monticello and a possible resupply.
Milepoint 483 - 561 :: San Mateo and Magdalena mountains
Monticello to Magdalena
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Monticello
Canyon offers access to the Cibola National Forest and Apache
Kid Wilderness. The bold profile of the San Mateo Mountains
looms ahead as the GET follows USFS road among junipers, then
drops via trail into forested San Mateo Canyon, seldom visited
by man and providing one of the finest wilderness experiences
on the route. Mountain lion and black bear find retreat here as
well. Once upon a time, Native Americans did the same, and our
route passes close by the grave of the legendary Apache Kid
high on the 10,000' crest of the range. Scenery and solitude abound
as we head north along the rugged ridge, eventually climbing into
the Withington Wilderness to explore a pair of fire lookouts,
including Mt Withington's (10,100') with views of the vast Plains
of San Agustin below and first glimpses of the Sandia Crest
near Albuquerque. Potato Canyon offers interesting geology as
the GET descends east off the crest, back into the high desert
to follow 4WD roads and cross-country canyons in search of our
next sky island range, the Magdalena Mountains. Here, an
undulating ascent on foot trail leads to one of the finest ridgewalks
on the entire route, with open, alpine-like terrain near South
Baldy (10,700'), frequent meadows, and a knife edge traverse.
The Langmuir lightning research facility is located here
as well, alongside the Magdalena Ridge Observatory, an
ultra-high-resolution telescope array currently under development.
Rough road descends north as the GET returns to desert country
again near the mining ghost town of Kelly, 3 miles south
of historic Magdalena and our next rest stop along the route.
Milepoint 561 - 632 :: Rio Grande Valley & the Chihuahuan
Desert
Magdalena to Mountainair
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A
variety of desert environments provide exhilarating open-air walking
as the Grand Enchantment Trail extends northeastward from Magdalena.
North of US Hwy 60 the route uses USFS road on a brief tour of
the Bear Mountains, then crosses the wide juniper-grassland valley
of La Jencia Creek via an enjoyable network of 2-track roads and
x-country sections. Ladron Peak stands sentinel on the
distant horizon, while ahead lies the smaller Polvadera range,
which we approach, watching for herds of pronghorn antelope,
before descending to reach San Lorenzo Canyon. Here the
route follows a sandy wash into a colorful, sheer-walled box canyon,
with several labyrinthine slots available for exploration, then
reaches the fertile Rio Grande valley and a resupply option at
tiny Polvadera (or larger Socorro). The GET winds through the
Rio Grande bosque, or "riverside woods," fording
the wide, shallow river (high water detour available), then proceeds
back into the Chihuahuan desert, where cross-country travel
and lonely 2-track roads lead past intriguing mesas and unnamed
desert peaks. Our tour of this little-known region culminates
again at Hwy 60, here 17 miles west of Mountainair, a small ranching
town with basic provisions.
Milepoint 632 - 709 :: Manzano Mountains
Mountainair to Tijeras
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The
Abo District of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
makes for a worthwhile detour along US Hwy 60. Northward, the
GET explores a series of trackless and secluded sandstone arroyos,
often with spring pools, then ascends to a plateau at the foot
of the Manzano Mountains, traversing a pinyon-juniper forest
via 2-track and cross-country. A high-grade forest road leads
a half hour or so to Pine Shadow Trailhead, where our route joins
foot trail, climbing sharply to Manzano Peak (10,098') at the
southern end of the range. Here begins a memorable 2 day traverse
of the Manzano Crest Trail, as we wind along an extraordinary
ridge, over summits clad in spruce and fir, through aspen-blessed
meadows, and along the edge of a sheer limestone "reef,"
often within sight of the vast Rio Grande valley below. The Manzano
Hawk Watch site is here, an ideal vantage from which to view
raptors in migration along this natural mountain corridor. Black
bear are commonly seen among the forest, especially near Capilla
Peak Campground, a popular facility along the way. Finally our
route, like the crest trail, descends eastward, leaving the Manzano
Wilderness and entering a lush maple forest at Canon Tajique,
then onward toward the forest boundary. Regaining the Cibola National
Forest at meadow-blessed David Canyon, foot trails lead us north,
eventually toward a potential short detour to Ponderosa Pine,
a small community with basic provisions. Now the GET takes advantage
of a wonderful network of mountain-bike-friendly singletrack,
winding among a magical pinyon-ponderosa-oak forest, and then
reaches road at the outskirts of Tijeras and a final maildrop
option for Albuquerque-bound hikers.
Milepoint 709 - 732 :: Sandia Crest
Tijeras to Albuquerque
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The
Grand Enchantment Trail ascends the gentle east face of the Sandia
Crest - the final mountain range on our enchanted tour - and suddenly
reaches a vantage westward. The silent mountain drops precipitously
to the valley floor and the dazzling spectacle of Albuquerque
overwhelms the senses. Northward along the crest our trail continues,
winding through primeval forest of aspen-spruce-fir and reaching
further outlooks toward the other world beyond. We wander through
sunny meadows, encountering few people, then climb higher, reaching
the Sandia Crest Aerial Tram and meeting perhaps the first
tourists of our journey. Now with company we marvel at the spires
and cliffs before us, then climb onward through dense boreal forest
toward the height of the crest (10,678), pausing perhaps for a
meal at the summit house. The GET now descends westward, following
the popular La Luz Trail into rockbound La Cueva Canyon,
(then onto the Tramway Trail) a well constructed and rewarding
route that links mountain with desert, wilderness with civilization,
our journey with our memories of a grand and enchanting place.
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