
CHEVELON CANYON IN GILA COUNTY, ARIZONA
Chevelon Canyon is a trip only experienced adventure seekers should attempt. Sporadic rock cairns belie clues where the primitive trail cuts through thick vegetation or was taken out by floods. As a general rule, if you find yourself getting very high on the canyon walls or disoriented, backtrack, cross the creek and hunt for signs of a passage.
This is a somewhat hard to navigate, yet beautiful gorge of vertical limestone cliffs, flowing stream channels and refreshing pools.
Within the moist riparian corridor at the bottom of the canyon, Ponderosa pines, alders and Gambel oaks (think: fall foliage hike) provide plenty of cool shade, but just a few yards up from the stream, drier pinon-juniper grasslands speckled with cacti can be quite warm in summer.
RATING: experienced hikers only
ELEVATION: 6,300' -6100'
FACILITIES: restrooms, campsites, picnic tables are nearby
Wilderness Area
Chevelon Canyon, lake and stream are all part of the surrounding Hell's Gate Wilderness. For more information on adventures in the Hell's Gate Wilderness click the button below.
