A
Prerequisite
"Deserts
are charming to those who know how to see them." - John Muir
The single most
important factor in planning a hike along the Grand Enchantment Trail
is desire. With a genuine interest in the landscapes, plants, animals,
and human culture of the Southwest, hikers will be much more likely
to deal successfully with challenges along the way, to succeed in
their endeavor, and to benefit from this unique and diverse hiking
experience.
Please note that
the Grand Enchantment Trail is a route - a loose assemblage of trails,
tracks, canyons, and cross-country travel - and as such does not resemble
a manicured, linear footpath like the Appalachian or Pacific Crest
trails. It does not offer shelters for camping nor many official campgrounds.
Trail angels do not descend upon the route to alleviate discomfort
or to cache water. The trail community is small and its social network
virtually nonexistant. In short, the Grand Enchantment Trail is not
for those in search of an encore to their last long hike on a well-established
National Scenic Trail. In terms of character and challenges, the route
most resembles New Mexico's Continental Divide Trail or the Arizona
Trail - trails which the G.E.T. itself uses in part - but it is also
a distinct experience from these, and by some estimates more interesting
and diverse than either.
Those who have
hiked the G.E.T., in part or in whole, often highlight the feeling
of independence it instills, of wonder and anticipation, of involvement
in nature and the day-to-day hiking experience. They note how the
route allowed them to be an active participant, rather than a spectator
as on previous trails, as it encouraged them to think for themselves,
and to seek their own experiences both on and off the suggested route.
(Read commentary from veteran
G.E.T. hikers) These have certainly been my experiences in several
long scouting walks of the route. And the Grand Enchantment Trail
can offer the same advantages to you, whether you're interested in
hiking it for the weekend, a week, or on an end-to-end trek from Phoenix
to Albuquerque. Desire is the key. If you're genuinely interested
in the things this route has to offer, your chances of having a successful
and rewarding journey are likely to be good.
- Brett Tucker,
G.E.T. founder
