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Grand Enchantment Trail Segment 15: Coronado Trail

HardArizona · United States

GPX
Distance
17.6 km (10.9 mi)
Elevation gain
984 m (3,228 ft)
Typical time
5 hr 13 min
Difficulty
Hard
Route type
Point to point
Highest point
2,230 m (7,316 ft)

About Grand Enchantment Trail Segment 15: Coronado Trail

Grand Enchantment Trail Segment 15: Coronado Trail is a 17.6 km hiking route in Arizona, United States. It climbs roughly 984 m (3,228 ft) along the way, topping out at 2,230 m (7,316 ft). Most people take around 5 hr 13 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. This is a demanding day. The climbing is sustained and the descent is long enough to punish tired knees.

This is mountain terrain, and the scale of the surroundings is the reason to come.

It runs point to point, so arrange transport at the far end or plan a return leg before you set off. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.

The route usually comes into condition in June and stays good until the first serious autumn weather.

In short, Grand Enchantment Trail Segment 15: Coronado Trail suits fit hikers with a habit of long days and an eye on the forecast. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.

Route map

Hard17.6 km984 m2,230 m

Numbered marks every 5 km

Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation

Elevation

Elevation profile

Ascent
+984 m
Descent
−479 m
High
2,230 m (7,316 ft)
Low
1,509 m (4,951 ft)
1422 m1646 m1870 m2093 m2317 m0.0 km4.3 km8.7 km13 km17 km

The route in detail

The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The steepest pitch runs at roughly 34 percent, short but enough to slow most people to a crawl. The upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.

Highlights

  • High point of 2,230 m (7,316 ft)
  • Mountain

Know before you go

Best season
June to October
Waymarked
Not consistently
Surface
Mixed natural surface
Dogs
Not recorded, check locally
Wheelchair access
Not accessible
Entrance fee
No fee recorded
Camping
Not recorded
Drinking water
Carry your own
Toilets
Not recorded
Mobile coverage
Patchy on the upper sections
Parking
Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
Emergency
112 in Europe, 911 in North America

How this trail scores

Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.

Scenery
58/100

Terrain features, relief and photographic interest

Adventure
55/100

Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is

Difficulty
66/100

Effort index from distance and climbing

Accessibility
21/100

Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it

Family
12/100

Suitability for children who already walk

Dogs
62/100

Access rules, terrain and water along the way

Tips from the trail

  • Start at first light. A long day is far more pleasant when you are not racing the sunset on the descent.
  • Aim for june to october for the most reliable conditions.
  • Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
  • Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.

Warnings

  • This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
  • Some sections are steep enough to be awkward in the wet, particularly on the way down.
  • At this altitude the weather can turn in under an hour, and temperatures drop fast once cloud arrives.
  • Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.

Safety

Emergency services in United States are reached on 911. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage in the upper sections is patchy at best, so do not count on being able to call for help from the summit. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.

What to bring

  • Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
  • Weatherproof jacket
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Trekking poles for the descent
  • Offline map and compass
  • Head torch and spare battery
  • Extra warm layer
  • Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
  • Microspikes if you are walking at the edges of the season

Photography

Shoot the first hour after sunrise from the higher ground: the low angle picks out every ridge and the valleys still hold mist. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.

Frequently asked questions

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