Upper Sunset Trail

El Paso, Texas

5.0/5

based on 1 reviews

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Distance

2.81 miles

Elevation Gain

581 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Bryan Young

The Upper Sunset Trail at Franklin Mountains SP Best offers up the best sunset in El Paso and is a great place to hike and camp.

The trick to this view is that the park gate closes at 5 pm. Therefore you have two options:

Option 1
Park at the entrance of the park (outside of the gate) and hike into the park. From there walk along the road to the park entrance ($5 entrance fee) and continue to the first left road where you turn and then walk to the TH of the Upper Sunset Trail and then hike up approximately and additional trail .5 miles up to the bench viewpoint.

Option 2
CAMP at the park! Even though the park is located in the middle of El Paso, it’s a great campsite to escape the city and enjoy the evening’s sunset and stargazing. (To camp, call the park to reserve a site and then once in the park walk, or drive, to the end of the paved road and then hike the .5 ascent to the bench viewpoint. Or you can enjoy the grilling area located at the parking area.

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Upper Sunset Trail Reviews

Jean-Claude Linossi

Upper Sunset Trail

12/30/17

Hiked this trail last fall with my 2 dogs. Not too hard of a trail.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike the Schaeffer Shuffle Trail

This a scenic but steep trail. Start on the SE turn off and followed the arroyo. After a while, the trail starts to climb up the mountain. The trail is rocky in places, but offers excellent views of the Franklin Mountains. On your descent on the NW side, you will have great views of the Avispa Canyon. Wildflowers can be enjoyed after the summer rains.

Aztec Cave Trail

Start your hike from the parking lot and cross an arroyo to start your ascent to the cave. The trail climbs steadily but not difficult to hike. There are benches along the way if you need to rest your legs. The caves are small but interesting and from the caves you have very good views of the state park and the Rio Grande Valley below. There are lots of wildflowers in the summer.

Hike the Lower and Upper Foothills Trails

Hike both trails and enjoy some very good views of the Franklin Mountains and the abundance of wildflowers particularly at the end of the summer. In the fall, enjoy the many beautiful grasses. The trails are not too steep but long and are a pleasure to hike in sections. Bikers would not have any problems biking the whole length of the trails. Here is a map of Franklin Mountains.

Hike to North Franklin Peak

El Paso is a sprawling city that is remarkably split by the Franklin Mountains. By driving up the Transmountain Road you can get a view of city, but stopping at Franklin State Park and climbing the North Franklin Mountain Peak you can top the city! To start, enter Franklin State Park and pay the entry fee ($5). Park at the trailhead (first right into the park). From here head up the rocky minin...

Mundy's Gap Trail

You can start hiking the trail either from the West side or East side. I started on the West side at the Agave Trail. The climb up the mountain is not too hard and offers good views of the mountains. There are some very interesting rock formations on the east side. You can continue the trail to the Tin Mines on the East side.

Hike the Agave Loop Trail

Start your hike at the West Cottonwood trail parking lot. The ascent on the trail is not too difficult. First the trail will take you to the top of the Sneed Cory with good views of the State Park. After that, continue up the mountainside, which has with lots of sotols and agaves as well as many wildflowers in bloom in the summer. You can turn around and come back on the trail for a 2.2 mile ou...

Upper Sunset Trail

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Upper Sunset Trail Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Hike the Schaeffer Shuffle Trail

Aztec Cave Trail

Hike the Lower and Upper Foothills Trails

Hike to North Franklin Peak

Mundy's Gap Trail

Hike the Agave Loop Trail

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