This 2.8 mile (one way) trail into the Bear Wallow Wilderness is rated as moderate-to-strenuous and sees light traffic from May through October.

To get to the top of the Schell Canyon Trail you must travel the first 3 miles of the Rose Spring Trail along the edge of the Mogollon Rim. Then the Schell Canyon Trail drops off the edge of the escarpment and heads into the heart of the Bear Wallow Wilderness. The trail ends at its junction with the Bear Wallow Trail in the bottom of the canyon, down where the fishing is good and there are some good campsites around. If you choose to go back up over another trail, the distance between the Rose Springs Trailhead and Bear Wallow Trailhead is 10 miles, and it's 15 miles to the Gobbler Point Trailhead.

As this trail is within the wilderness area, no motorized or mechanized vehicles (including mountain bikes) are allowed. The South Fork and the mainstem of Bear Wallow Creek flow water year-round. The schell Canyon Trail was completely rebuilt in 1988-89 byt the Sierra Club and the American Hiking Society.

Elevation: 8,620' to 7,500'

Access: Go 29 miles south of Alpine on US 191, then turn west on Forest Road 54. At the fork in the road go right, through the gate and then on about 0.6 miles to the end of the road. The Rose Spring Trail starts at a signed gate in the fence below the parking area. Follow the Rose Spring Trail about 3 miles to the signed junction where the Schell Canyon Trail branches off to the north.

USGS Maps: Baldy Bill