The Grand Enchantment Trail continues to show its teeth! Given that this isn't an official trail, instead just a line on a map connecting a lot of old forgotten trails, I am constantly finding myself bushwhacking or getting minorly lost. Trail just doesn't exist in many places anymore. My favorite times however have been following these canyons! Big towering walls by my side, and hard to get lost when you can only go forward or back. That said you gotta eventually get out of the canyon, and that can at times be tricky, and I often miss the turn. I came to this trail to try and learn. Learn more about the states of Arizona and New Mexico, but also to learn about myself, and backpacking. I want to be a better thru hiker, and this type of a challenge feels ripe with possibility for something like that. I want to expand my horizons as a thru hiker, so here I am.

The Gear I Used On This Hike!

Quilt https://tinyurl.com/yc2h5d54
Sleeping Pad https://amzn.to/3Jx85cB
Tent https://tinyurl.com/yc8kdj35
Tent Stakes https://amzn.to/3bKgoRq
Backpack https://palantepacks.com/
Pack Liner https://www.gossamergear.com/

Rain Jacket https://tinyurl.com/8kw56dsk
Fleece https://tinyurl.com/ym7y8hn5
Socks https://amzn.to/3DDlk73
Beanie https://amzn.to/3n5XpZJ

Spoon https://amzn.to/3LwH76l
Food Bag https://amzn.to/3rOVfeu
Water Filter https://amzn.to/42pAIQ7
Stove https://amzn.to/3LkAd3Q
Cook Pot (650ml) https://amzn.to/3LgqVWr

Trekking Pole https://tinyurl.com/yc2xbnpr
Yoyo https://amzn.to/3TqMWEi
Toothbrush https://amzn.to/3tkN4GY
Floss https://amzn.to/3FnONTa
Lighter https://amzn.to/3zLQkyD
Knife https://amzn.to/3r3psb7
Trowel https://amzn.to/3u6VIMr
Blister Tape https://amzn.to/3qZ55f9
Chaffe Cream https://amzn.to/3bNorNu
Lip Balm https://amzn.to/35Gs1Zk
Sunscreen https://amzn.to/3wadTRt
Umbrella https://tinyurl.com/33zm6psr

Headphones https://amzn.to/3KhEPVi
Flashlight https://amzn.to/3tmjRM6
Camera https://amzn.to/3uMp7MW
Memory Card https://amzn.to/3vrBOdZ
Micro Fiber Cloth https://amzn.to/38FIyLh
External Battery Ravpower PD Pioneer 20,000mAh 60w
Wall Charger Ravpower PD Pioneer 30w 2Port

Sunglasses https://tinyurl.com/mrx785s6
Shorts https://amzn.to/36VWUJV
Sun Shirt https://amzn.to/3FgUXpu
Shoes https://amzn.to/3u6FMKm
Shoes 2 https://amzn.to/41WOA4e
Smart Watch https://amzn.to/3mz7ePp
Hat https://amzn.to/3yBmI8c

The town of Morenci was great, the town of Safford was not so great. It was really cool to see the Morenci mine, but not so cool that the trail was destroyed in one area by a different mine(it seems.) The canyons are beautiful, but getting from one canyon to another can be quite hard! It was actually quite funny to think about how popular a place like Aravaipa Canyon is, and then you have this equally amazing Eagle Creek Canyon where I saw nobody. Followed by many other amazing canyons where I saw nobody. Hidden gems through Arizona backcountry for sure, and real adventure to be found hiking across the desert.

This hike reminds me of my time on the International Trail, where over the course of the 800 miles I only saw 4 other hikers. It was a young trail, and thus navigation was still difficult, and at times you really felt alone out there. I think combining hikes like that, my time on the Arizona Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Pacific Northwest Trail have prepared me for something like this. Even my hike of the Uinta Highline Trail in Utah, all these skills and lessons culminating in being able to do a hike like this.

I am now about 350 miles into this hike, and am leaving Arizona and crossing the border into New Mexico! I have no idea what it will be like, but if it's anything like AZ I am sure I will love it. Though looking at the maps, it seems like my route is about to take a turn to some much higher elevations.

You can find more info about my hike here:
https://jupiterhikes.com/2023/05/22/g...

and from the official Website here:
https://www.simblissity.net/gethome....



Hiking Essentials Shirt! http://jupiterhikes.com/product/hikin...

THE BACKPACKING GEAR I USE:
http://www.jupiterhikes.com/gear/

If you would like to get access to content I create about this type of stuff I don't share anywhere else join me on my Patreon!
  / jupiterhikes  

If you'd like more info about me, my hiking, or painting:
https://www.jupiterhikes.com
  / jupiterhikes  
  / jupiterhikes