| Statistics: |
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| Difficulty: 1.5
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Route Finding: 1
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| Distance One Way
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0.7
miles |
| Trailhead Elev
677 feet |
Elev Gain 170 feet |
| Avg Time One Way
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20 minutes |
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| Waypoints: |
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| Trailhead |
N 34° 13.139 W 118° 54.598
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North Tepee Trail
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N 34° 13.139 W 118° 54.598
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North Tepee Trail
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N 34° 12.972 W 118° 54.583
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Trailhead/End of trail
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N 34° 12.972 W 118° 54.583
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Mesa Trail
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N 34° 13.134 W 118° 55.230
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Trailhead/End of trail
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N 34° 13.134 W 118° 55.230
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Topographic Route Map |
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Elevation Profile |
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By Scott Legal
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The Stagecoach Bluff Trail is a very popular trail. It's not a particularly long trail, but it does afford some spectacular views of the canyon as well as Mount Clef Ridge. The Trail runs between the North Tepee Trail to the east and the Mesa Trail to the west.
You reach the Stagecoach Bluff Trail by taking the Mesa Trail to the North Tepee Trail. The trail runs up a ridge that gives good view of the tepee and the canyon in the area of Paradise Falls. You will reach a high point along the ridge with many small side paths that offer views of the canyon.
Warning: Many of these side trails are line with cholla cactus. Cholla branches are rather brittle so many of their broken branches can be found on the trail. If you get stuck by cholla you will likely have no fewer than 20 barbed needles penetrate your skin. Take it from someone that suffered this fate on this very trail - avoid cholla.
The trail then leaves the ridge and heads along the southern mesa before ending at the Mesa Trail. You can loop back to the parking area by following the Mesa Trail all the way back.
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Cholla on the Stagecoach Bluff Trail |
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Cholla did the damage |
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A view of Paradise Falls from one of the many vantage points on the Stagecoach Bluff Trail |
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