Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Long Cienega Trail #305

This 3.3 mile trail is rated as strenuous and sees light-to-moderate use from May through October. Long Cienega is an open meadow bordered by conifers and aspens. Because of the lush grassland, there's a lot of wildlife that hangs out near here. The trail follows the small stream out of the meadow and on down the hill toward Grant Creek. As it leaves the meadow, the forest closes in and the stream begins a steady descent down into a narrow canyon. The trail gets rough and rocky before climbing out of the canyon about 3 miles in and tops a juniper-studded bench of conglomerate rock, then opens out into a spectacular view of Grant Creek canyon and beyond. The Upper Grant Creek Trail is another 0.3 miles but it's down a very steep descent.

No mechanized or motorized vehicles in the Primitive Area. That includes mountain bikes. Grant Creek is a reliable water source. Because Long Cienega is kind of a glorified marsh, the trail is not recommended for horses.

Elevation: 9,040' to 7,200'

Access: Long Cienega Trail is reached only by other backcountry trails. Steeple Trail #73 leads to the upper trailhead. Upper Grant Creek Trail leads to the lower trailhead. The easiest way in is over the Steeple Creek Trail for about 2.9 miles from the Steeple/Foote Creek Trailhead at the south end of Hannagan Meadow.

USGS Maps: Strayhorse