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Coronado Hiking Trails |
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East Divide Trail #287
The fabulous views just keep coming along all 22 miles
of this ridgetop trail. It snakes its way among the highest peaks
in the
Galiuros and sidesteps the upper reaches of several of
the range’s
major canyons. From the trailhead in Deer Creek, the
East Divide Trail wanders its way along shallow drainages and grassy
flats to the upper
reaches of Oak Creek. It then follows this drainage to
the top of the easternmost of the two ridges which divide the Galiuros.
Once atop
the East Divide, the trail follows a ridge line route
past Kennedy, Sunset and Bassett Peaks, offering good views of other
prominent points
in the mountain range including Kielberg, Grassy and
Rhodes Peaks, as well as Biscuit, Maverick and Cake Mountains. A
quarter-mile side
trip takes you to an even more impressive panorama atop
Kennedy Peak, where the views stretch toward all points of the compass.
From the high ridge of the Galiuros’ East Divide, the trail
drops into the upper reaches of Douglas Canyon where stands of Douglas-fir,
ponderosa pine and aspen provide the scenery. Paddys River,
Sunset Canyon
and Redfield Canyon add more drama to the topography, both
to the east and the west, as the trail passes its junction with the
High Creek Trail
#290 and continues on to the point where Bassett Peak Trail
#287B sets off for the 7,663 foot summit of Bassett Peak, highest
in the Galiuros.
Here, the East Divide Trail drops off the high ridge and
switchbacks down into Ash Creek Canyon completing the last leg of
its long and notable
journey.
Attractions:
Top of the mountain views
Lots of side trails
Varied setting
Cool temperatures
Season: All year
Length: 22.2 miles
Elevation: 4,900'-7,200'
Rating: Most difficult
Use: Very light
USGS Map(s): Kennedy and Bassett Peaks
Access: From Safford drive south 17 miles on US 191 to
AZ 266. Turn right (southwest) onto
AZ 266 and drive 19 miles to Bonita.
Northern trailhead: From Bonita continue north on
the Aravaipa Road
about
19 miles to the Deer Creek Ranch Road
(FR 253). Turn left here and travel 8.4 miles to
the East Divide Trail.
Southern
trailhead:
From Bonita continue west 13 miles to FR 651. Turn left (south)
and travel 3.5 miles to FR 660 (4-wheel drive road). Turn right and travel
2 miles
to East Divide
Trail.
The East Divide Trail is also accessible via a number of
other Galiuro Wilderness trails including Tortilla #254, Corral Canyon
#291, Paddys
River #293, and
High Creek #290 trails.
Notes:
Portions of this trail can be difficult to follow. A topographic
map and compass should be considered an essential part of your
equipment
when visiting
here.
20.2 miles of this trail are within the Galiuro Wilderness.
Motorized and mechanized vehicles and equipment, including
mountain bikes, are not permitted in Wilderness. See the
Wilderness section
of this guide
for more
wilderness rules and ethics.
Before using this trail, call the Safford Ranger District
for current trail conditions which can vary with season,
weather
and maintenance
status.
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