Grand Enchantment Trail — Segment 21
~3 days · 16.9 mi · easy · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Grand Enchantment Trail — Segment 21 is known for
Segment 21 of the Grand Enchantment Trail descends the West Fork Gila River from the White Creek area to the Gila Cliff Dwellings contact station in New Mexico's Gila Wilderness. Around 17 miles point-to-point with 60+ ankle-to-knee river crossings, alternating riparian canyon bottom with drier pine benches.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 18,750 ft to 22,936 ft over 16.9 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 3.9 mi · 23%
- Downhill 10.6 mi · 63%
- Flat 2.4 mi · 14%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Grand Enchantment Trail — Segment 21 take?
Most backpackers hike the Grand Enchantment Trail — Segment 21 in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 16.9 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Grand Enchantment Trail — Segment 21?
The Grand Enchantment Trail — Segment 21 climbs roughly 1,476 ft total — about 87 ft per mile, topping out near 7,011 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.