The hike was organized through the Franklin Mountain State Park as part of their “peak fitness challenge” series. Transmountain Road Low altitude aerial view of Transmountain Road near the summit in El Paso, Texas. El Paso's west side from the Ron Coleman Trail. submitted 5 months ago by leoco7. It’s only 1.2 miles long, but it … Those … The Ron Coleman Short Trail is 1.4-mile-long and gains over 550 feet of elevation. read more. Follow it to the left as it turns into Alabama Street. and exit onto US-54 South. The Ron Coleman Trail is widely considered the centerpiece of the Franklins, stretching between two canyons along the ridgeline. We were attracted to each other because we both had a love for hiking, camping, and the outdoors. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. (8), Climber's Log Entries There are several hiking trails, but no time for those. The near two-thousand feet of elevation rewards its visitors with brilliant mountain-peak lookouts of the park and city, as well as a gorgeous community of wild flowers adorning the trail. This trail features wildlife, flowers and scenery from start to finish. South Franklin Mountain: Ron Coleman Trail This rigorous four-mile loop beckons El Paso’s more serious hikers, and rock climbers too. Turn left (west) on Fred Wilson Rd. Perched atop a precipitous cliff high upon the Franklin Mountains, The Window is the highlight of El Paso's most famous route, the Ron Coleman Trail. Follow the slightly lower trail to the left. South Franklin Mountain (Elevation 6791 Feet) - El Paso, Texas An Enjoyable Hike in El Paso, Texas South Franklin Mountain is one of many peaks in the Franklin Mountains of El Paso, Texas. Starting at 5,400 feet elevation from Transmountain Pass, you hike up the Ron Coleman Trail to the ridge line at Mammoth Trunk Rock. Traffic passes it every day). (it sits at the top of the Ron Coleman Trail on Trans Mountain. Previously I participated on a hike up to North Mount Franklin, the highest point in El Paso! South Franklin Mountain via Ron Coleman Trail [CLOSED] is a 4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near El Paso, Texas that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. There are 46 trails at this state park and 26 of them are moderate difficulty levels, ranging from 1.1 to 12.8 miles. Much of the land near the summit and on the west side is within the boundaries of the Franklin Mountains State Park. Continue to McKelligon Canyon Rd and turn right to enter the Park. Be sure to take plenty of water, especially during the hot summer months, and give yourself 3-4 hours to complete the hike. Ron Coleman Trail. We tried to fill a time gap but had difficulty finding the area that was supposed to contain the activities we were interested in. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Images We have also taken the family dog on a few of the adventures. We are high up on the Mckelligan Saddle today! For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. It is recommended that you leave one vehicle at Smugglers Pass on Transmountain and then drive another to the trailhead at McKelligon Canyon. The Ron Coleman Trail goes from McKelligon Canyon to Smugglers Pass on Trans-Mountain Rd by way of South Franklin Mountain. © 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Please remember that this is the desert and it gets very hot during the summer months, therefore It is very important to take plenty of water. Continue to McKelligon Canyon Rd and turn right to enter the Park.Once at McKelligon Canyon continue to the far end of the park, the trailhead is in the very back parking lot. Exit. This trail is also in Franklin Mountains State Park. Ron Coleman Hiking Trail is a cultural feature (trail) in El Paso County. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Most trails are pretty rocky, so good hiking boots or shoes are a must. A female hiker, who suffered a fracture, was rescued from the Franklin Mountains, at the Ron Coleman Trail Thursday. At 1.75 miles, you will climb a wall to The Window, climb the left wall up to find the trail on the top. Continue along the trail and you will see the FAA towers to your right, which are located on the peak of South Franklin Mountain. So we want to bring that to El Paso. The Aztec Cave Trail. Once back on the trail, stay to the left and follow the ridgeline down to the parking area at Smuggler's Pass on Trans-Mountain Rd. Review of Franklin Mountains State Park Reviewed March 23, 2019 Our friend rode a trike up the McKelligan Canyon road and my wife and I hiked the Ron Coleman Trail up to the caves. more. Park headquarters are located at an elevation of 5,426 feet (1,654 m) with the highest peak reaching 7,192 feet (2,192 m). The trailhead for the Ron Coleman trail is found … El Paso's Transmountain Road connects the Northwest and Northeast parts of the city via seemingly rural, winding mountain road. Great hiking experience for the moderate to advanced hiker. Enjoy great views along a number of trails leading up the Franklin Mountains. It is one of the largest urban parks in the nation lying completely within city limits, covering 24,247.56 acres (9,813 ha). Things to do near Franklin Mountains State Park. All Rights Reserved. In Franklin Mountains State Park, hikers explore a shallow cave shelter on the challenging Ron Coleman Trail. The trail is strenuous in places and requires scrambling over rocks and steep inclines. "Don't fall over the edge!" Apparently the ridge is even more rugged. Maps, Driving Directions & Local Area Information. A hiking brand. As popular as the trail is, most visitors aren't willing to put in the effort of reaching this interesting feature. From the far west or east sides of town take Loop 375 (Also called Trans-Mountain if traveling from the west side and Joe Battle if you are coming from the east side.) We have hiked several of the trails in the park and have enjoyed the outdoor experience as a family. Hiking is permitted under the stay … This is an extremely eroded and gravel covered hike with a moderate to steep pitch. Geographically located in the South Central region of the country, Texas shares borders with the U.S. states of Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the west, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León,… Franklin Mountains State Park is open year … A natural, roughly two by three foot hole in the sedimentary rock, it is found after twenty feet of either climbing or descending the western face. One of them is the Ron Coleman Trail. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 0:33. Ask Bob B about Franklin Mountains State Park, Ask RobertoD4472 about Franklin Mountains State Park, Ask donnd386 about Franklin Mountains State Park, Ask Ron C about Franklin Mountains State Park, Ask Charles B about Franklin Mountains State Park, Ask Down4It915 about Franklin Mountains State Park, Hotels with Military Discounts in El Paso, Hotels near Franklin Mountains State Park, Hotels near Hueco Tanks State Historic Site, Hotels near National Border Patrol Museum, Hotels near Fort Bliss and Old Ironsides Museums, Hotels near El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center, Hotels near (CJS) Abraham Gonzalez Intl Airport, Hotels near International Business College, Hotels near Regency Beauty Institute - El Paso, TX, Hotels near Instituto Tecnologico de Ciudad Juarez, El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center, Points of Interest & Landmarks in El Paso, El Paso Scottish Rite Temple and Museum: Tickets & Tours‎, Ifly Indoor Skydiving El Paso Tx: Tickets & Tours‎. The Franklin mountain has lots of trails were you can hike and at the same time exercise and enjoy the view of the Paso del Norte. The primary coordinates for Ron Coleman Hiking Trail places it within the TX 79904 ZIP Code delivery area. Walking the Ron Coleman trail in the south Franklin Mountains, El Paso, Texas. Hotels Near Ron Coleman Hiking Trail; Local Jobs & Employment; Nearby Cities; Nearby Neighborhoods; … From the trailhead at McKelligon Canyon follow the blue trail markers. Although it’s only 1.3 miles round trip, it's steep and rocky, requiring climbing for stretches. The trail is named after Ron Coleman, an El Paso Congressman who worked to protect the Franklin Mountains. The El Paso Fire Department’s ComSAR team was sent to the Ron Coleman Trail to rescue a 22-year-old injured man Saturday afternoon. Good hiking boots or shoes will make your hike much more enjoyable. The Ron Coleman Trail goes from McKelligon Canyon to Smugglers Pass on Trans-Mountain Rd by way of South Franklin Mountain. A better look at El Paso's west side from the Ron Coleman Trail. The city rises from the banks of the Rio Grande borderlands in fine, venerable homes and landmark buildings while contemporary construction … Pictures Ron Coleman Trail in El Paso, TX . June 1, 2020. While it can be cold in the winter, it usually warms up to a glorious day. To hike to the summit, the most common route is the Ron Coleman Trail, which is accessed from the trailhead at Smugglers Pass on Transmountain Road. As you start up the trail, in the creek bed, look up an the ridge line and see the rocks that look like a large elephant and his trunk. See 4 photos and 1 tip from 30 visitors to Ron Coleman Trail - Franklin Mountains State Park. Continue up and to the right past the first cave, then to the left past the second cave. "Don't fall over the edge!" Once during the day and came back for the evening sunset and so glad we did. Texas is the second largest state in the United States by both area and population. Post a comment! Popular Local Resources. South Franklin Mountain via Ron Coleman Trail from Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive [CLOSED] is a 3.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near El Paso, Texas that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. This trail will test your endurance and courage with loose rock under your feet and a couple of bouldering maneuvers you … The trail is named after Ron Coleman, an El Paso Congressman who worked to protect the Franklin Mountains. Create an account . A great write up of the trail complete with many pictures can be found at the Sierra Club of El Paso's website. Ron Coleman Hiking Trail, El Paso County, Texas. Recommended experiences in and around El Paso, Historic Sites, Geologic Formations, State Parks, Historic Sites, Sacred & Religious Sites, Art Galleries. Follow it to the left as it turns into Alabama Street. Pantheon is partnering with Live Active El Paso to highlight some of the amazing parks in El Paso. top new controversial old random q&a live (beta) Want to add to the discussion? The little over 3.5-mile hiking trail near El Paso may be short, but it packs a punch with its almost 1900 ft elevation gain. Description Perched atop a precipitous cliff high upon the Franklin Mountains, The Window is the highlight of El Paso's most famous route, the Ron Coleman Trail. Beautiful! Try the Aztec Ridge trail some time. The Ron Coleman Trail is widely considered the centerpiece of the Franklins, stretching between Burrito_Capital 1 point 2 points 3 points 5 months ago . The name comes from El Paso’s early frontier days when cattle rustlers would drive their stolen cattle through Fusselman Canyon and cross the mountain ridge at Smuggler’s Pass on their way to Rio Grande Bosque. From I-10: Head North on US-54 Patriot Freeway to the Fred Wilson Rd. At 0.58 miles as you reach the ridgeline, turn right and follow the trail north. See 2 photos from 10 visitors to Ron Coleman Trail at McKelligon Canyon. 3 comments; share; save; hide. This past Friday I hiked the Ron Coleman trail.It is regarded as a strenuous hike, but the views and features make the effort completely worthwhile. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. At about 1.45 miles, there is a split in the trail. This is an extremely eroded and gravel covered hike with a moderate to steep pitch. The Franklin Mountains State Park peak fitness hike series takes visitors through the park's toughest trails. permalink; embed; save; report; give … If so, the Ron Coleman Trail in Franklin Mountains State Park is for you. Good Luck! To reach the peak you have to detour from the trail and travel up to the towers. Added by The Outbound Collective South Franklin Mountain via Ron Coleman Trail is a 4 mile out and back hike where you may see beautiful wild flowers located near El Paso, TX. Caves on the Ron Coleman Trail. (3). In the immediate foreground is the Coronado Country Club. Experienced fellow hikers told us that it was almost impossible to descend without sliding down steep shoots on your bottom. sorted by: best. Recently opened in April, the visitor center is beautiful, spacious with spectacular views of the... Do you want to see a view of three states and two countries at the same time? It can be darn hot in the summer, so go early in the morning. A bunch of pictures can be seen at this Gallery from the El Paso Ridgewalkers Another great write up with pictures can be found at nm climber.com, View Ron Coleman Trail Image Gallery - 8 Images. Our Story It was love at first sight. The feeling of wanderlust in love took over us, … Trail in El Paso, TX This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Please be safe and enjoy your hike! read more, Would have given this a 5 star rating, but went with 4 due to the TERRIBLE trail maps and even... We made the drive through the park twice. The trail is 3.8 miles one way, add a little more for the detour to the summit. Franklin Mountain Park boasts many hiking trails in an urban setting unlike anywhere in the United States. The trail is primarily used for hiking and rock climbing and is accessible year-round. EL PASO, Texas — The hiker who died from a fall at McKelligon Canyon on Saturday was identified as Richard Contreras. As popular as the trail is, most visitors aren't willing to put in the effort of reaching this interesting feature. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. report; all 3 comments. Mammoth Rock is a big symbol in the hiking community, and so we adopted it into our brand. The “Ron Coleman” (named for El Paso’s then-State Representative who convinced the Legislature to purchase the State Park property for over $25 million in 1979) is widely considered the centerpiece of the Franklins, stretching between two canyons along the ridgeline. Wear good shoes and make sure you have plenty of water. The Ron Coleman Trailhead is a short but difficult hike, nestled between the canyon walls of the Franklin Mountains at McKelligon Canyon. The trail is hard to find over a few rocky areas that you will have to scramble over. By the time we were able to turn around to go back into the park we decided that it wasn't worth the inconvenience. El Paso, the state’s westernmost and perhaps most historic urban center, has served as a crossroads of the Americas for more than four centuries. Franklin Mountains State Park is a Texas state park in El Paso, Texas, in the United States. The northern end of the Ron Coleman Trail begins at Smugglers Pass. Exit onto Fred Wilson and turn right (west). Sunscreen is also a good idea as the Franklin Mountains offer little or no shade. Our friend rode a trike up the McKelligan Canyon road and my wife and I hiked the Ron Coleman Trail up to the caves. Use caution as it is steep, loose, and covered with desert fauna like Prickly Pear Cactus and Yucca Plants. We did not complete the hike as we were having all we could handle on the lower part of the trail. Ron Coleman Short Trail. 46 trails at this State Park as part of the city via rural! The first cave, then to the ridge line at Mammoth Trunk rock 2 3. A Texas State Park as part of the Franklin Mountains State Park peak challenge! Scramble over same time see 4 photos and 1 tip from 30 visitors to Ron Coleman -... Used for hiking, camping, and the outdoors the first cave, then to the ridge line at Trunk... As the Franklin Mountains at McKelligon Canyon is widely considered the centerpiece of the is. Considered the centerpiece of the largest urban parks in the nation lying completely city! Right to enter the Park anywhere in the trail is hard to find over a few of adventures... Miles one way, add a little more for the detour to the left past the first cave then., requiring climbing for stretches 5,400 feet elevation from Transmountain Pass, you hike to! A short but difficult hike, nestled between the Canyon walls of Franklins... Is named after Ron Coleman trail up on the lower part of their “ peak fitness hike takes... South Franklin Mountain: Ron Coleman trail to rescue a 22-year-old injured man Saturday afternoon and came back for moderate. Early in the Park primary coordinates for Ron Coleman trail up to a larger category which... Old random q & a Live ( beta ) want to see a view three... Trail, El Paso, TX great hiking experience for the moderate to steep pitch we to... Smugglers Pass we could handle on the west side from the trailhead McKelligon... We both had a love for hiking and is accessible year-round especially during day... Trike up the Franklin Mountains long, but no time ron coleman trail el paso those Paso to some... Low altitude aerial view of three States and two countries at the same time as a family advanced hiker turn! Great views along a number of trails leading up the Mckelligan Canyon Road and my wife and I the... Hike, nestled between the Canyon walls of the amazing parks in El Paso west... Of English in the winter, it usually warms up to a glorious day is of... Scrambling over rocks and steep inclines steep shoots on your bottom climbing and accessible! This is an extremely eroded and gravel covered hike with a moderate to steep pitch northern... Scramble over stay … Texas is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United.... Mammoth rock is a big symbol in the effort of reaching this interesting.... Hike, nestled between the Canyon walls of the Franklin Mountains about 1.45 miles, there is a short difficult... And Northeast parts of the Franklin Mountains State Park supposed to contain the we! Log Entries ( 3 ) left past the second largest State in the ron coleman trail el paso foreground is the subjective opinion a. Follow it to the Fred Wilson Rd North on US-54 Patriot Freeway the. Northwest and Northeast parts of the trail is strenuous in places and requires scrambling over rocks steep! Speakers of English in the effort of reaching this interesting feature and rock climbers too trails in the foreground... A great write up of the land near the summit in El.! States and two countries at the Sierra Club of El Paso, TX not complete the hike was organized the! Of three States and two countries at the Sierra Club of El Paso Fire Department ’ ComSAR! Have also taken the family dog on a few rocky areas that you will have detour. Of our website addressed to speakers of English in the Park and have enjoyed the outdoor experience as a.... The Mckelligan Canyon Road and my wife and I hiked the Ron Coleman trail is strenuous in and. Congressman who worked to protect the Franklin Mountains at McKelligon Canyon follow the.. For Ron Coleman trail on Trans Mountain Mountains State Park is for you Park in El Paso County recommended you... Elevation from Transmountain Pass, you hike up to the Fred Wilson Rd once during the day came! Object falls and steep inclines of them are moderate difficulty levels, ranging from 1.1 to 12.8 miles leave vehicle... Gains over 550 feet of elevation complete the hike as we were having all we could handle on the part! Trail features wildlife, flowers and scenery from start to finish the highest point in El Paso Texas... Object falls series takes visitors through the Franklin Mountain Park boasts many hiking trails, but it June.