Aspen Trail,
Navajo National Monument
The Aspen Trail is a steep round-trip hike that overlooks ancient Aspen Forest — the trail is a good distance away from the Betatakin Ruin. The trail branches off from the more popular Sandal Trail. The Aspen Trail is a self guided trail with a short walk along the mesa and is one of three trails located behind the visitor centre and is open year-round.
Elevation
The Aspen Trail has a maximum elevation of 7,269 ft., a minimum elevation of 7,024 ft. and an elevation range of 245 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 0.4 mi | 7,024 ft | 7,269 ft | 245 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 9 min | 0.0 | 0 ft | 244 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 14 min | 20.3 | 244 ft | 0 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Aspen Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Oak Springs, AZ
- North Topo Map: Tall Mountain, AZ
- Northeast Topo Map: Keet Seel Canyon, AZ
- West Topo Map: Shonto NW, AZ
- Topo Map: Bubbling Spring Canyon, AZ
- East Topo Map: Marsh Pass, AZ
- Southwest Topo Map: Shonto, AZ
- South Topo Map: Shonto SE, AZ
- Southeast Topo Map: Long House Valley, AZ
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Aspen Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Aspen Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.4 miles (0.6 km) or 802 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Aspen Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 9 minutes in one direction and in 14 minutes in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.