What the GET is
The Grand Enchantment Trail (GET) is a long-distance route of roughly 770 miles (some sources say up to about 800) crossing Arizona and New Mexico. It runs from the Superstition Mountains area near Phoenix to the Sandia Mountains area near Albuquerque. The route was devised by Brett Tucker and, importantly, it is a route rather than a single built and maintained trail. That distinction shapes everything about planning for it. For a short taste of that country first, see easy Superstition Mountain hikes near Phoenix.
Route at a glance
- Length: about 770 miles, depending on variants and source.
- Direction: commonly described west to east, Phoenix to Albuquerque, though it can be walked either way.
- Segments: the route is divided into 39 segments, usually between road crossings, which makes section hiking possible.
- Surface mix: it links existing singletrack, including portions that overlap the Arizona Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, with dirt roads, four-wheel-drive tracks, stream beds and cross-country travel. Roughly half of it is on established trail by most descriptions.
- Elevation: from low desert near the Gila River at around 1,700 feet to high points above 10,000 feet, with Mogollon Baldy often cited at about 10,770 feet.
Landscapes and highlights
The trail passes through the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, “sky island” mountain ranges, riparian canyons and higher pine forests. Often mentioned landmarks include Weavers Needle, Aravaipa Canyon, the Gila Wilderness and the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Small towns used as resupply points include Superior, Safford, Alma, Glenwood, Magdalena and Mountainair, though availability changes, so verify services before you go.
Wildlife can include javelina, bighorn sheep, black bears and mountain lions, so basic wildlife awareness and food storage practices matter.
Navigation
Signage is sparse, and in places the route follows faint tracks or no track at all. Most hikers carry a combination of:
- An offline GPS track on a phone or dedicated device, with spare power.
- Paper or printed topographic maps.
- A compass and the skills to use it.
- The community-maintained guidebook and map set, which provide segment descriptions and waypoints.
Route-finding is part of the challenge. If your experience is limited to well-marked trails, practise off-trail navigation on shorter trips first.
Water
Water is the major planning issue. Reports describe dry stretches of 10 to 20 miles in places, with sources that include springs, creeks, cow tanks and troughs. Quality and reliability vary by year and season, so check a current water report from the trail community, treat all water, and be prepared to carry large volumes or cache water where that is allowed and practical. A failed source in a hot, dry section can become serious quickly, so plan conservatively and keep a margin.
Resupply and logistics
Towns are small and sometimes far from the trail, so many hikers use mail drops, caches or arranged rides. Shuttle options are limited, so plan transport at both ends in advance, such as a two-vehicle shuttle or help from friends or local trail angels. Some access roads require high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles. Since much of the route crosses a mix of public lands, check the rules for camping, fires and permits on each section.
Season and direction
Spring and fall are generally the better seasons for a thru-hike. Summer brings extreme heat at low elevations, and winter can mean snow and cold, icy stream crossings in the high ranges. Because conditions vary from year to year, use recent reports and be flexible about your schedule and direction.
Who it is for
The GET is not recommended as a first long-distance hike. It suits experienced backpackers who are comfortable with remote travel, navigation, dry-country water planning and self-rescue. If you are newer to trekking, a well-supported route such as the Tour du Mont Blanc offers a gentler introduction to multi-day walking, and shorter desert canyon trips like Grand Gulch are a useful way to practise desert water and navigation skills. Because parts of the route overlap the Arizona Trail, the Arizona Trail gear list is a helpful starting point for kit.
Planning checklist
- Decide on a full thru-hike or a section hike using the 39 segments.
- Collect the current guidebook, maps and GPS files, and check for route changes or closures.
- Plan water carries and confirm sources with recent reports.
- Arrange resupply, shuttle transport and emergency communication.
- Choose a season that avoids peak heat and heavy snow.
- Tell someone your itinerary and carry a way to call for help where there is no cell coverage.